Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | 页面 166

New Tales of the Ming Treasure Voayages
Island Christian Academy, Cheng, Keziah - 9
Everyone knows that pirates set sail to only steal treasure. Pirates usually have only one hand in children
fantasy stories, but that isn’t true for real pirates. They have two hands with sharp nails making it harder to
fight them. Story tellers always say that cabin boys walk the plank.
I believed all of that until I was finding a job after going to college. Mama kept on fussing about finding jobs
easier to do and harder to do. I searched all day and night long. I still couldn’t find a job. I was walking all
alone on the street, sad and lonely.
I remembered how hard my father taught me to follow my heart before he died. I remembered him
working as a military soldier battling Japan. I was so proud of him. Suddenly I heard a mysterious hiss,
calling my name coming from around that dirty house. “Lin, Lin” I turned around and stared sharply at the
houses nearby. I felt a hard tug at my ragged shirt and somebody pulled me to the nearest house. “I know
you’re looking for a job.” said a man with an
expensive looking robe. “How did you know?” I asked.
“I overheard your mother muttering about it, I was your dad’s friend in the war, Uncle Lun.” The man
said.
“Do you still work in the army?” I asked.
“I retired a long time ago.” Lun replied.
“But now I need to find a job.” I said.
“Follow me, let’s go to the emperor’s palace.” Uncle Lun said, flashing me a mysterious smile.
After a daylong walking, they finally arrived at the emperor’s palace.
“ ah... just the last person I need.” said the emperor, grinning
“W-w-what do y-y-you mean.” I stammered, shocked.
“I need you to go on a mission with my great explorers,” The emperor explained, “I need you to travel
around the world on a ship and —“
“Steal treasure...!? I am no pirate.”
“No... but to do the opposite, that will be your job.”
“But I don’t know what the “opposite” means”
“It means you get jewelry to give away to peaceful people, not steal it. And you need to fight away our
biggest and toughest enemies: The pirates.” said the emperor.
I finally decided to do it. I and the explorers got trained, swimming to diving, sword fighting to wrestling
and aiming to targeting. When the day came, I was covered in scratches and bruises. But I looked strong.
We packed our clothes and food to survive. Then we set sail.
We got trained again on the ship, bowing, sword fighting, climbing, shooting and diving. We finally arrived
in India, set up our camp and fell asleep.
“Wake up, lazy lads.” called captain.
“Where are we going now?” yawned an explorer, half asleep
“We are going to the Navi Mumbai.” Captain said. We undid our tents and packed it up.
“Everyone, grab your gear and line up!” Captain shouted, hurting my ears.
I grabbed my armour and tent and lined up in front of a big muscular explorer. We marched through the
city looking proud. I felt nervous, and a little brave.
We gave some of our money to the poor. Now the most terrifying part was when the snake charmer
whistled into his pungi and the cobra hissed at me! We soon arrived in Mumbai tired.
We gave peaceful people treasures from the emperor, silver, gold, pearl, diamond and spices.
We bought delicious smelling fruits from the fruit stall, gifts for Uncle Lun and Masor Tenga . I ate them for
dinner, and they tasted good. We went back to camp and during one week, we had already given most of
our treasures! On the last day, I bought a jade snake necklace for me. We packed up our stuff and climbed
aboard.
“ All aboard!” Captain shouted .
Yes , Captain “ we said.
“ To arrrrabbbia!”