Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Winners 2020 | Page 7

Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2020
rhythmic familiarity, he attached some bait and plunged the hook into the sea. “And now we
wait,” he added. It wasn’t long before he felt a tugging on the end of the rod. Swiftly he reeled
it in and tightly hooked around the end he found a fish. He found a crimson fish.
Crimson
“This fish,” Li-Wei started, “shares it’s colour with the lantern that used to hang outside
my grandparent’s house. We would celebrate every holiday together and would devour a
flavourful feast,” he said chuckling, thinking back to the aroma of ornate spices that floated
through the air. “My grandfather would always share stories and recount traditions that have
been passed down.”
After Li-Wei finished speaking, Li-Jie asked, “Father, can I have a turn fishing now.”
“No, not yet,” Li-Wei replied, “but one day you will be ready.”
A few days had passed; now in Shenzhen, it was time for another fish. Li-Wei prepared
the rod and dropped the hook into the sea, the float gently bobbing until he felt a tug.
Azure
“Look up Li-Jie. Now look down, and what do you see?” Confused by his father’s vague
question Li-Jie timidly replied, “T-The sky and the sea.”
“Exactly,” exclaimed Li-Wei, “the colour of this fish is all around us. Above us, below us,”
indicating with his hands, “we depend on them as they guide us through our journey. Li-Jie,”
he whispered, now solely focusing on his son, “you must find people who you can depend on.”
Venturing south, they continued until they reached Hong Kong. Even with their eyes
full from the splendour of the city, their stomachs, however, were not. Once again, Li-Wei
prepared his rod and cast it into the harbour.
Jade
“Li-Jie, do you see those trees,” asked Li-Wei pointing inland, “and those mountains over
there. This fish belongs to them, to nature. Everything works together in harmony. You too
son, must find a way of balance.”
Their journey lead them onwards, clouds were setting over the city of Dongguan.
They streamed down the coast, factory after factory in the distance, the fishing line to catch
tonight’s dinner trailing behind them.
Ebony
Mirrored by the industrial background, Li-Wei grazes the ebony scales of the fish he caught.
“Sometimes you will feel like you are being consumed by darkness. You may fall behind
and struggle, but you have to remember that your struggles just like these clouds will pass.”
With that Li-Wei threw the ebony fish back in, a reminder for leaving your troubles behind.
The clouds began to part as they continued their journey. Eventually, they stopped near
Longxue Island, Guangzhou, for their next catch. Li-Wei prepared the bait, whilst Li-Jie
looked on full of anticipation. Standing up excitedly, “Father, am I ready to fish myself now?”
“No my son.” Disappointed but not surprised, Li-Jie sat back down and watched as his
father caught yet another fish.
Amber
“Every morning the sun guides me,” reflected Li-Wei, “my own lantern, floating up in
the sky. Wherever you go the sun will always be with you.”
12