Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 218

Ming Treasure Voyages
Shanghai Singapore International School, Hoo, Xin Yen - 13
‘No doubts they’re here,’ said Zheng He. Zheng He, the leader of the voyage, was born in 1371.
He was a Chinese imperial official that set out with a fleet on the first voyage to Southwest Asia, South Asia,
West Asia and more.
‘Admiral?’ one of his crew members asked.
‘Yes, I’m here’ answered Zheng He. Zheng He and his crew were having a problem with pirates,
the mean, normal pirates. Having to be in the middle of the sea, Zheng He had no way to escape.
‘Fire!’ yelled the admiral. But they were too late, the pirates were already boarding their ships, and
started killing people. The scene was a mess, with blood splashing everywhere, coloring the ship with red. It
was chaotic until the commander brought an army and fought with the pirates.
‘Phew, that was close!’
Finally, after two hours of nasty fighting, the ship crew members defeated the pirates.
One month after the battle with the pirates, the large ship landed in India. Attracted by the mild
weather and lovely sceneries of India, Zheng He and his crews slowly left their ships and discovered the
foreign land. They found something very interesting. It was as big as an elephant. It was a grey wild animal
with only one horn. Some of the kids and younger crew members were scared by the ‘new creature’, while
most of the people were fascinated. The wild animal was a Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. While they
were examining this new creature, a little man dressed in simple, bright colored cotton clothes popped out
from a brush behind them. Slowly and carefully, he walked towards the big crew. Then he started saying
something in a different language that Zheng He didn’t recognize or understand. After almost an hour, the
small man realized that Zheng He and his companions didn't understand, so he started to make a series of
body languages and gestures that told them to follow him. The big gang of people followed him. On the
way Zheng He and the commander were trying to ask the tiny man where were they going, but the Indian
man didn’t answer.
Finally, they reached the small man’s village. The place was enormous and full of trees and people
that were dressed in the same way as the little man. It was a very cheerful and lively place. Everyone
worked, talked and laughed. They didn't seem to realize that Zheng He and his crew were there. Then, the
small man started to speak ‘हर कोई, म�ने उन्ह यहां सोचते हुए पाया।’ (Everyone, I found them here) Every
worker looked up from what they were doing. They were shocked by the presence of a big gang of people
with weird clothing and looks. Children moved back and some adults shifted uneasily. All of them looked
curiously at the newcomers. It was an awkward silence, then Zheng He started speaking.
‘We are from China. We’ve come here to build friendship with you and share some gifts.’
Although the people couldn’t understand, they began to do some hand gestures to show they
welcomed them. Some of the kids surrounded Zheng He and talked to him in their own language, while
the adults led the crew members to the biggest and the fanciest building in the whole village.
Ten minutes later, they arrived in the building. They were surprised to find out that there were
several Chinese artifacts in the display room. ‘Ahem… Welcome, new comers,’ said an old man with a
white long beard as he coughed badly. The crew members were so happy and relieved that the old man
spoke the same language. The old man, who was the leader of the village, led them to a huge room with
lots of chairs and told them his story. The old man’s mother was actually a Chinese woman that was saved
by his father. After they died, the old man became the leader and ruled the village for 20 years. Therefore,
he knew Chinese well. The old man ordered some servants to serve them well and help them with
anything. The old man and the villagers were treating them so well that they didn't want to leave, so they
stayed for another 10 days. ‘No harm,’ the old man said when Zheng He wanted to leave.
It was a stormy night the day before they left. All the crew members were packing up and saying
good bye to the villagers. After the short ceremony and party in the big building, they went back to sleep
for the last night. All men and women were sleeping soundly. ‘Tip, tap. Tip, tap…’ The footsteps were
getting closer and louder. Small whisperings were getting clearer. There was a sweet but mysterious odor in
the air, making the people sleepier than ever. And, making them not want to wake up. Then, a burning
smell from somewhere became stronger. The people outside started to laugh so badly that they choked
when they talked. The rooms were getting warmer and finally the crew woke up. They realized that they
were tricked and their treasures on the ships were stolen by the villagers. Unfortunately, they were too tired
to get up and escape the locked rooms. They cried for help but the sniggering sounds just grew louder.