The Great Wall Marches On
Hannah Chun
ang! The heavy door closed and the outside light was cut. Natalie walked down a narrow corridor
leading to a gloomy, cold room.
fath
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g, Group 1: Fiction, St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary & Primary School
Natalie’s father was put into a prison in Shanghai for some reasons she didn’t understand. Her
er told her it was no surprise to see people caught each day in 1935. Natalie went to visit her father
y week. She was only 12 years old but clever and bright. Her mother died one year ago. “Be
strong and never give up!” encouraged her father. She nodded her head but her eyes were full of tears.
B
“
Arise! All those who don’t want to be slaves! …….” She heard someone muttering in the next cell.
“
Who is that man?” Natalie asked.
“
He just came yesterday, his name is Tian Han. He is famous for his drama and poems.”
“
Dad, I like poems very much! Can I talk to him?” said Natalie.
Mr. Tian was sitting in a corner and murmuring to himself in a low voice. “Sir, I am Natalie, are you writing
up something?”
Mr. Tian replied, “Yes, my friend asked me to write a song for his film. I have almost completed the lyrics.”
“
A film?” asked Natalie.
“
You know, our country is going to have a war with the Japanese, we want to make something to cheer
people up. My friend produced a film called ‘Children of the Storm’ and he is waiting for my song.” Mr. Tian
read her his lyrics:
“
Arise! All those who don't want to be slaves!
Let’s fight for our destination bravely!
As the Chinese people have arrived…..
…….
Brave the enemy’s fire,
March on! …”
“
I like the lyrics!” Natalie cried out.
“
However, I am not completely satisfied with it,” explained Mr. Tian, “You see, in the second sentence, I
used the word ‘bravely’, but I repeated the word ‘brave’ near the end.”
Natalie thought for a while and suddenly looked at Mr. Tian, “Sir, my history teacher told us that the Great
Wall of China was built to protect our people and lands from invaders. If we want to fight against our enemy,
we may build a new Great Wall”.
“
What a brilliant idea!!” he exclaimed. “A new Great Wall! Natalie, listen to my revised version.” Mr. Tian
then read the lyrics aloud:
“
Arise! All ….. !
Let our flesh and blood become the Great Wall!
As the Chinese people have arrived….……
After reading the lyrics, Mr. Tian took out a cigarette and asked Natalie: “May I borrow your pen?” He
carefully wrote the lyrics on the tobacco paper and passed it to Natalie. “Listen carefully, Natalie, take this paper
and pass it to my friend, Nie Er. He is a musician and will do the composing. You may find him at …”
Bang! The door was closed and she saw the light again. Natalie ran as fast as she could with the small piece
of paper, hoping to bring courage to the people of her country.
***