Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 25

Auntie Meng’s Story Chinese International School, Wu, Andrea - 8 “Auntie Meng! Auntie Meng! Tell us a story please!” The excited voices of her grandchildren brought a smile to her old, wrinkled face. The children clustered around her feet, their rosy-cheeked faces turned up to her. “Very well,” she smiled. “I will tell you a story…” “Long, long, long ago, I was sailor girl, a strong - willed one, in the Ming Treasure Fleet. We travelled the seven seas to give away treasures so as to make alliances with different continents. However, during our voyage, we would often encounter difficulties. This might including natural disasters or problems on board the ship…” At this point, the boys jumped up and said, “We want a story about heroic sailors! A great battle!” The girls grimaced, and replied, “Can it not be a heroic sailor battle, Auntie Meng? We’ve heard battle stories too many times!” Auntie Meng nodded wisely, and searched within her mind for a story that would satisfy both the boys and girls. At once, a story popped into her brain. Straightening up, she started, “For all of you, I have a story about a battle and something else.” “According to the maps that our crew had drawn,” she went on, “We had reached the biggest ocean around. That day, I woke up to screaming. I did not particularly enjoy it. The reason why everyone was screaming was because the volcanoes were exploding. Hundreds and hundreds of volcanoes were erupting around us. With the molten lava and meteorites of lava stone flying around us, the crew panicked. The captain was the only one who didn’t fear the calamities happening around him. He ran around the ship’s deck; not yelling orders, but flinging fellow sailors off the ship into the water to save them. The sailors trod water frantically, choking on seawater with surprise at our brave captain’s actions. The captain didn’t have time to care that he was getting absolutely covered in burns from the lava’s sparks. He just wanted all his crewmates into the water. When the volcanoes finished erupting, we all realized that it was only because of selfless captain’s act of bravery that we all survived. Our poor ship, however, did not fare so well…..Story ended for today. Go back home, you rascals.” “Auntie Meng! No! Don’t leave us at an end like this like last time! Please continue !” the girls begged. “We want a-” the boys started. But the girls shot them a poisonous glare. Auntie Meng looked at the clock and gave a firm nod of her head. Continuing, she said, “Our ship did not fare well in the volcanic incident. So the Captain decided that our first priority was to fix up the ship until it was as right as rain. He started us on mending the crater holes in the ship with new wooden planks. We hammered and nailed until the crater holes were to his satisfaction. Then, he got us to deal with burns that scarred the ship using oil. He made us scrub until the burn marks were completely gone. Some sailors who were handy with a needle were sent up to the main mast and foremast to mend the sails. I was one of the unfortunate sailors ordered to go up the main mast. The foremast was so high, and I had to swing from rope to rope to reach my designated mast. Straddled on the bowsprit, I started my mending. When gusts of wind came, I was the only one not shaken, as I was on a solid item. One sailor fell overboard from his mast into the ocean. Luckily, the crew got him in time, but soon I was thrown off my post as well. A strong hand caught me from falling into the ocean’s murky depths. ‘Can you swing from my hand to another rope? I’m not strong enough to pull you back up.’ I looked at my crewmate and the rest of the sailors down below. They looked at me dubiously, worry showing plainly on their faces. I suddenly realized why my crewmates’ faces were laced with worry. There were a pair of sharks swimming right below my dangling feet! I judged the distance between the ship and the bowsprit. It wasn’t very far, but if I was to jump far enough… I grasped my crewmate’s hand tightly and started to swing, generating motion with my legs. At the highest point, I let go and leaped for my life. As I jumped, my crewmates looked on with their mouths agape, marvelling at my marvellous jump. I stretched toward the ship’s railing, and snatched it with both hands, relaxing as my hands hit solid wood. My crewmates pulled me up at ease, rescuing me. I lay on the deck floor, looking up at the familiar faces of my fellow sailors. I was happy to be alive, and to be able to embark on these wonderful journeys. Leave me in peace now, ask your Grandfather for any further questions. He knows each and every bit of the story. Because the crewmate who saved me on the bowsprit... That was your Grandfather.” “Wasn’t that a touching story of sailor friendship.” A voice came from the doorway. The children swung around to see Grandfather standing there, eyes twinkling mischievously, a smile lighting up his face.