Walls
Diocesan Boys ' School , Cheng , Yee King Ethan - 14
I
1267 : A New Change
rubbed my hands together , my breath a cloud of white mist hovering in front of my face . The chill was starting to sink in , melting into my skin , my flesh , my bones .
I glanced around , letting my eyes absorb the pretty white scenery . There was no one , of course : it ’ s the middle of winter .
But this was the last time I could come out of my village freely .
A group of government officials came down last week , informing us that they would be planting a new town government here , while defensive walls would be built around us .“ For our own protection ”, they said . Us villagers protested , of course : we ’ re perfectly satisfied with our life now .
“ Sometimes , sacrifices have to be made in order for advancement ,” the sweet-mouthed officials had told us .
The water was icy cold , with piles of snow stretching out into the horizon . I could barely see the dim lights that is the fishing village where I live in . It wasn ’ t big and fancy like the ones near the capital ( which I ’ ve never been to , though occasional visitors speak of large , lavish populations full of precious stones and beautiful houses ), but small and meagrely populated , with a town centre , a school and a marketplace , while the neighbourhood extended for only five to six streets . It was quiet and peaceful : exactly the place where I would want to live in for the rest of my life .
“ Lee .” A voice calling my name . I turned around , catching sight of my old neighbour , Lin-Xu , paddling slowly towards me , his small fishing boat bumping into mine . I smiled .
“ Admiring the scenery , aren ’ t you ?”
“ Yeah . Considering this is our last chance allowed out here , I guess we better make use of it .”
Lin-Xu leaned backwards in his boat , his feet resting on the edge . “ I honestly can ’ t understand why they would wrap our village up in this … stone wall . Why us ? There are plenty of better towns out there .”
“ Don ’ t forget we ’ re one of the best fishing ports in China ,” I reminded him . Following suit , I leaned backwards , tucking my hands behind my head , staring up into the blue and grey dome .
“ Sometimes , sacrifices have to be made in order for advancement ,” I heard myself say .
A group of birds flew across the sky , while snow began to fall .
Oh , how I hate those foreigners !
~***~
1856 : A New Era
Those stuck-up British brats , who think that just because their government defeated ours in that Opium War , they were allowed to do anything !
Is planting drugs in our country not bad enough ?