Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 -1 2019 | Page 65

I started to paint a lifelike dragon and a graceful phoenix. My hands were sore so I decided to take a rest. I
fell asleep despite the floor being cold and hard.
I had a wonderful dream. I dreamt that I went to the voyages with Zheng He and gave away presents.
Then I was awake. I saw the Emperor with his soldiers. They were looking at my painting.
“Um…nihao?” I tried to communicate with them.
“You are so talented,” the Emperor praised me, “what is your name?”
“Thank you, my name is Grace.”
“Can you help me paint the sails of the fleet of ship?” Zheng He asked. He was standing next to the
Emperor.
“I need to think about it,” I answered. I saw a chance getting myself out of here.
“We’re not asking for your opinion, this is a command!” the Emperor shouted.
“I’m not carrying out your command, unless…”I replied. Praying that my little trick would work. “I’m not
going to paint in this place,” I said.
“Fine, you can come along with the fleet of ship,” Zheng He said.
I was led to a room with paints and some huge flags. I started to paint the sails with red. In Chinese culture,
red represents joy, prosperity and longevity. I think luck is important in voyages. However, when I thought
about the western culture, red represents danger. I painted the sails in yellow at last. I also drew a phoenix
and a dragon with the gold paint on every flag.
“What do you think?” I asked myself. I always ask myself this question so I can make my artwork better.
“Gorgeous,” a voice said.
“Thank you,” I was contended.
A few weeks later, I went on a voyage with Zheng He and the crew. The sea was blue and clean. I felt so
relaxed until…
“There is a pirate ship coming towards us!” a sailor shouted nervously. “What shall we do?” Everyone
didn’t know what to do. I was so scared.
“Little girl, maybe you’re going to lose your life. Regret for not staying at home?” a crew member ridiculed
me.
“I have a plan,” I said. “ We can paint the other side of our sail into a pirate ship flag.”Everyone agreed. We
started acting as quickly as possible.