The Great Wall
Niharika Singh, Group 2: Fiction, Delia School of Canada
oday I’m going to tell you a story, story about the two emperors. I’m sure you all remember
that they hate each other now. The story behind it is that: Several years ago they had a sister,
Anne. She was the apple of their eyes. She had unintentionally fallen in love with one of the
servants. When the emperors found out, they were furious and locked Anne in her room. From
then on she hated her brothers and made a plan.
The next day she ran away with her love, the emperors saw her run away. So they brought a
whole army from the palace to stop her. They said “Attack!” When Anne saw him die, she said “You
can never be my brothers. You killed him, now I shall die too! I can’t live without him.” With that she
jumped off the cliff and was never seen again. There the great wall was built and the two brothers hated
each other. The story I’m going to tell you is how my brother and I, made the two brothers love each
other again.
T
I opened the door; I looked around for the person who rang the bell. I saw no one. I looked down
and saw a ripped, old, envelope. It looked as if it had been written a century ago. When I carefully
peeled the tape off and saw the writing, I thought it was indeed written a long time ago.
The paper in the envelope was from my granddad. I went to his funeral just yesterday. The letter
specifically told me to complete a mission. The mission was to be completed with my twin brother,
James. I looked at him with disgust every time I saw him, but yet I had to do this, for my granddad.
“
So, what is the mission?” James asked.
“
Well, you know what our granddad’s last wish was right?”
“
Yes, he wanted those emperors’ of China to get along.”
“
Do you know why?”
“
Nope.”
“
Well, the great wall was built to keep them away from each other. Our granddad died trying to
keep them together.”
“
What? So you are telling me, I have to go to China with my twin sister, Alice and stop the
emperor’s from fighting?”
“
Seems impossible, I know, but our granddad died for this and we have to complete his last wish.
Or he will never rest in peace.”
“
Mom & Dad, what about them?”
“
I have told them and they have agreed. So can we go?”
“
For granddad, yes.”
I took one step out of the Beijing airport, and realized China happened to have many tourists. I
could see couples taking pictures of everything, shopkeepers rummaging through their stores to please
their costumers, cab drivers taking in passengers, and my stupid brother already buying chips from a
nearby shop. “So, what’s the plan?” James said with his mouthful of food.
“
I go straight to Emperor Ming’s palace, and you go to Emperor Ching’s palace. Persuade the
Emperor to come to the great wall tomorrow at 12:00 noon. Then we will figure something out. Okay?”
“
Yep. Where is Emperor Ching’s palace again?”
“
Ask the cab driver, he will tell you. Hide your identity if you need to. Bye.”
“
Peace out.”
Emperor Ming’s palace looked stunning! There was even a replica of it across the street, so tourists
could adore it. I took the first few steps towards the real palace and was stopped. Two big, beefy,
guards were blocking my way. “Can I please see the Emperor?” I kindly asked.
“
Why?”
“
I’m from World News, I just wanted to interview him.”
“
Oh! My mistake, come in!” one of them said in a surprisingly different accent. They gently
guided me to a man sitting on a throne. He was short and stout, had slits for eyes, and a flat nose. This
was Emperor Ming.
“
Hello, Emperor. I come from America to interview you!”
“
What do you want to ask?” he said
“
No, not here. I was hoping you would come to the great wall tomorrow at 11:00 am. We will be
shooting there. Our camera-man isn’t here you see.”
“
The great wall you say. No. That wall is strictly off limits for me and my town.”