Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 74

The Unexpected Experience
Singapore International School, Wong, Derrick - 10
“Splash!” Glancing down into the water, Zheng He sighed to himself. This was the last part of this
voyage, but for the whole time he had been the Admiral on the ship, nothing exhilarating happened
throughout the journeys he had been requested to command. “Bring me a cup of tea please, Shao,” Zheng
He said quietly with a wave of his hand. Shao was Zheng He’s loyal servant, who always followed Zheng
He and respected him a lot.
“Don’t you think these voyages are a little too boring?” Zheng He asked Shao.
“Yes sir, I agree. They are unbearably boring. I wouldn’t even mind if there was a tremendous storm
in the seas, as long as the experience is exciting.”
“Mmmhmm…” Zheng He nodded and gazed towards the horizon, watching the sunset, and Shao did
so too, making himself comfy on a bamboo stool beside his master.
After a while, Shao placed a cup of tea on a desk beside Zheng He’s bed, then skipped down the steps
of the Admiral’s compartment back to his own tiny compartment on the side of the ship, where he spotted a
note on his bed. He started reading it. The note said:
Dear Shao,
Thank you for the lovely tea you have given me today.
Please meet at my compartment tomorrow at sunrise. Thank you!
Zheng He
However, little did they know, that something disastrous and terrifying would happen tomorrow
afternoon…
The first rays of sunlight shone dimly through the windows and it was drizzling. Shao stretched his
arms, and trudged to the Admiral’s house after drinking a warm and delicious cup of tea.
“Sir, I am here.”
“Great. We can finally start.” Zheng He exclaimed, and rubbed his hands.
“Wait…” Shao squinted, looking out onto the horizon. “Sir, I see a peculiar black dot far away.”
Zheng He instantly whipped out his pocket telescope and peered eagerly into the lens. However, the
excitement written on his face quickly melted into dread as his face darkened, his eyes wide open at what he
saw. “The Pirates of the East- They are one of the most feared pirates in the world, and they have no
mercy for anyone. Hit the Great Gong at once.” Zheng He ordered, his heart beating so hard his ribcage
almost cracked.
“Yes sir,” Shao replied as he bolted as fast as he could to the Great Gong and smashed it using all his
might. “BONG!” The sound rang through the ship and the whole crew scrambled out to find out the
reason behind sounding the Great Gong.“Pirates, the Pirates of the East,” Shao breathed rapidly, a shiver
crawling up his spine.
Zheng He commanded, “Everyone must prepare. Soldiers, prepare to battle. My dear oarsmen, row as
hard as you can. Shao, come with me. ”
A tense atmosphere filled the ship as everyone rushed to do their duties, hoping that their lives would
be safe.
“I spy a giant ship! Wonderful to attack!” Captain Horman shouted with glee. “Let’s go full speed!”
Captain Horman demanded, “Fighters, get ready! We have a ship to hijack!”
“This is going wonderfully,” Assistant Nosmos cackled.
“Yes,” Captain Horman saw eye to eye with his assistant.