The Wall
Hanna Hipwell Serfaty, Group 2: Fiction, Carmel School Association Elsa High School
k, have we got everything?” asked Tom. “Yes, water, sandwiches and first aid kit.”
Answered Emily. As the bus pulled over, Emily, Tom, Juliette and John looked out
the window at the amazing wall. They had finally arrived at the Great Wall of China
and they planned to run a 40km marathon up the wall. All of them were college
students studying at Stanford. They had all been training for months and months and
finally their time had come. They were all very excited for their big expedition. “Ok,
everybody off the bus.” Said the driver. on their backpacks and got off. They walked towards the wall
and started their long journey.
“
O
3
hours into their journey, the four took a break. “I think I’m going to eat my sandwich.” Said
Juliette, going into her backpack. “This wall is absolutely amazing. I wonder what it took to build!”
wondered Tom. “I can find out, my book talks all about that!” John pulled out his book from his bag
and began flipping through the pages, “Ah ha, I found it. The Great Wall of China was built during the
Ming Dynasty to protect Northern China from enemies. In the process of being built, over one million
people died.” Read John. “Oh my gosh, that’s so terrible, why would they let so many people die?
Didn’t they care about each other?” Asked Emily in horror. “No, they didn’t care about each other,
people were like slaves to the emperor. Whatever he said, they did or else they would be buried alive.”
Answered Tom. Emily looked sadly at her sandwich, “I wish there was something I could do.” “Ok, we
better get going everyone, we still have 35 km left.” Everybody got up, put on their backpacks and
continued their long journey.
After a while, the 4 sat down for a little break. Suddenly the ground started shaking gently.
Everybody looked around and a big hole started forming where Emily was sitting. Seconds later, Emily
fell through the hole, screaming. Within seconds she disappeared. Tom, Juliette and John looked inside
the hole. One after the other they jumped in. “Emily, were coming for youuuuuuuu!” screamed Juliette.
After the 3 jumped in. They found Emily looking scared. “It’s ok, we’re here.” Said John reassuringly.
Emily saw them and looked relieved. “I have absolutely no idea where we are right now!” she said.
They looked around them. There were lots of people putting bricks and cement in piles. Everybody
looked tired and sad. “Oh my gosh, we are in the building of the Great Wall!” John realized. They all
were speechless and couldn’t believe it. They went back in time. “Wait a minute, it looks like they only
just started the building so we have a chance to stop this before 1 million people lose their lives!”
calculated Emily. “Are you out of your mind?” Asked Tom. “I mean it’s a great idea, but good luck
with getting the emperor’s permission.” “So let’s talk to him now, before it’s too late!” before anyone
could say anything, Emily rushed over to one of the workers and asked where the emperor was. He
looked at her shorts and t-shirt funnily. He answered her, pointed in a direction and Emily started
walking towards it “This is so exciting, let’s go!” said Emily, excitedly. The 3 behind her followed
closely.
Once they all got to the Palace, they entered and went to the room where the emperor was in.
Surprisingly, it was quite easy to get in. Once they saw him, they all bowed down. Emily started
talking, “Your majesty, look what you are doing to these poor workers. They are suffering, soon to die.
Why would you do this to them, millions of them? They are just innocent people! And it’s just a wall!”
The emperor looked confused and angry and called one of his guards. They whispered to each other
and then the emperor finally said, “Who are you and where did you come from?” the emperor asked.
“
I’m Em-“ Emily started. “Hush, I didn’t ask you to speak! Your idea is absolutely absurd; I’m doing
this for my country, little pest. You will all go be buried alive. NOW!!!!!” he boomed. John, Juliette
and Tom looked at Emily in despair. They weren’t ready to die!
A guard led them all outside and to a huge space of land. “This must be the burial garden,” thought
Emily. “No, I can’t let this happen to my friends and to me and to all the workers!” Emily broke free
from the guard’s grip and ran towards the construction site. She didn’t stop although the guard was
chasing her and her friends were yelling out to her. She tore down all the signs saying the working
hours and she yelled out in her loudest voice, “Attention, everyone!” all the workers looked up at her.
“
You must all stop working immediately. The emperor is wrong to do this. Eventually, you will all die
for a wall. Go home to your wives, your parents, your friends and your families. Believe me, I’m
right!” All the workers gasped, they were amazed. They chattered quietly to each other thinking she
was a god from an outside world and they started walking off in their own directions. They started