Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Non-Fiction 2019 | Page 10

My Adventure in Ming Treasure Fleet
St Stephen's College Preparatory School, Hung, Michelle - 8
My name is Mike. I am from Shanghai, China. I have lived near the sea for 9 years. I have always dreamed
to become a sailor.
One day in the year 1367, I heard from my best friend that our Emperor would order a massive ‘Treasure
Fleet’ of three hundred ships to the Western Ocean to promote our country to other countries. Hurray! I
finally had my chance.
One early morning, I went to the pier and lined up to apply to be a sailor. When it was nearly my turn, a
man told me that I was too small and short to be a sailor. He kicked me out. So I sneaked into the ship
when no one was looking.
I finally could be “one of the sailors” from Ming Treasure Fleet. I saw lots of jewels in the chests. I was
amazed that I jumped up and down because the jewels were so beautiful, sparkling and colorful. I had never
seen such things that were as sparkling as fireworks! Also, I saw soft silks, white cottons, blue and white
porcelain ceramics. They would all be presented to the rulers of different countries that we would visit in
order to spread our Chinese culture. I was so excited. I would have such a good time to see so much. My
first ocean journey was started with excitement and laughter.
A few months later we arrived in Malacca after vomiting more than ten times. It was the first time I travel
on the ship for many days. Malacca was very beautiful. There were many things to buy. There were many
plants especially palm trees. Suddenly, there was a fierce pirate who wanted to steal all our treasures!
Luckily, our crew was very strong. We destroyed their ship very fast! But unfortunately, one of my legs was
seriously hurt by the weapon of the enemy. I felt extremely miserable that I burst into tears!
When we returned to China, we brought back many new and funny things including curry powder, the
seeds of palm tree and some big animals like lions and giraffes. Our King rewarded me with a gold flag for
fighting for the country on the ship.
When I went home, I told my parents that I was afraid I could not walk anymore and I would never be a
sailor again. My parents told me not to worry and my leg would recover very soon. They were very proud
of me as a courageous sailor, fighting for the country.
Although I did not have another chance to be a sailor again after this journey, I would never forget this
exciting and risky adventure. After many years, I opened a curry chicken shop to sell curry chicken which
became a famous food shop. I lived happily ever after.
The Emperor’s Fleet
St. Paul's Co-educational College Primary School, Ku, Chit Yui Morris - 6
In the early 1400s, a fleet of ships was setting sail to help the emperor to find treasure in Japan. But, the
most unfortunate thing is that they set sail in the direction of India.
When the captain knew they were going in the opposite direction, he was very scared because in that
direction, there were lots of nasty pirates, so he thought of this plan: Make new relationships with other
cities and countries, so they set sail to Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and many more countries to
make relationships!
The nasty pirates heard of this fleet of ships and they were jealous about them and wanted to make
them bad, so the other countries heard about this and they cancelled relationships with them.
When they reached India, the nasty pirates came to challenge them. Of course, this fleet of ships had
many military forces and weapons. But this is not an easy pirate team. When they almost lost, a ship came
and some ships from the fleet of ships drove to the ship and gave wonderful presents to them to beg them to
add them in their team and help them make other people or ships in their fleet. That person is helpful so he
added them in their team, their military forces became stronger, so they won them and these happening
always happen in their fleet of ships.
These travellers on the fleet of ships were going to reach Japan now! And treasure is coming. All their
efforts were not in vain and the treasure felt moving, so it is easily to find it.
In 1410, they came back China and all people, even the emperor, welcomed them when they arrived
because this was not only is the first fleet of ships to reach India and Africa and Arabica, but they were also
the best explorers on planet Earth in history! The emperor thanked them because they not only got the
treasure, but they also made new relationships with other countries than China!