The Gift
Lauren Ing, Gr
ong ago, in China, there lived the Great Qin Emperor who was able to unite the people of China at last
after many years of war. The Xiongnu, who were the bad warriors from the north continued to attack
China. The Emperor sent soldiers to fight the enemies but many of his soldiers were defeated. In order
to stop the war, the Emperor ordered his people to build a huge wall to block the enemies from coming
into China. However, the wall was too fragile and kept collapsing.
oup 1: Fiction, Victoria Shanghai Academy
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The last Dragon in China was over two thousand years old. His body was very long and stretched more than
one thousand feet. His body was covered with gold scales and decorated with colourful jewels that sparkled.
When he opened his mouth, his tongue was as red as blood. His claws were as sharp as knives and his wings
were as wide as one thousand men standing with their arms stretched out. When he stood up, his head reached
the top of the mountain. He was miserable seeing the people fighting in the homeland that he loved.
One day the dragon decided to pay the Emperor a visit.
“
Great Emperor,” said the wise old dragon with a bow, “Our people will never be able to live peacefully
while there is fighting in China.”
“
How do I protect my people from the Xiongnu?” asked the Emperor, “the walls we are building are too
weak and cannot keep the enemies out of the way.”
“
You must use hard materials such as wood and stone to strengthen the wall, just like my body which is
protected by hard golden scales and jewels.” replied the dragon.
“
I am willing to give up my life for my homeland so that our people can at last enjoy some peace. When I
die, you can build the wall over my body so the wall will stay strong”.
The Emperor was very grateful that the dragon was going to give up his life for his people and he bowed
back to the dragon and said with tears in his eyes, “Thank you so much Great Dragon”.
The dragon flew to the wall that had collapsed and lay down to sleep. As he did not eat or drink anything for
a long time, he passed away peacefully. After that, the Emperor granted the dragon’s wish by building the wall
over its body and that is why the wall still appears like a huge dragon when it is seen from the sky. The people
in China enjoyed peace and happiness for a long time thanks to the magnificent gift from the dragon.
***