Shortlisted
Great Wall Story
Gayathri Bas
mperor Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of the Great Wall. Its main purpose was to keep
enemies out, but what about non-existent people that wreaked havoc?
had
Strange
ker, Group 2: Fiction, Singapore International School
It was the year 1318. Yan Long was a young man who lived with his family in a small village. He
bravery beyond measure.
things were happening. The guards patrolling along the Great Wall during the night had thrown
themselves at the feet of the emperor, faces white with terror, and claimed to have seen ghosts. These ghosts had
horrifying forms. The emperor didn’t believe a single word.
E
However, it didn’t stop there. A guard got bitten by a strange green-eyed lizard. He had several frightening
seizures before dying. Another guard caught an incurable disease. The disease made his flesh rot from the inside
out. His skin became blackened and wounds festered and maggots crawled over him. He died after two weeks.
Many terrible incidents occurred. The guards died one by one. The emperor was helpless. But it came as a
shock when his eldest daughter died. A potent venom had been slipped into her tea. She died within minutes.
The emperor grieved over the loss of his daughter. Meanwhile, the army general consulted him.
“
What should we do, your Majesty?”
“
I don’t know. I don’t know what is happening.”
“
Your Majesty…we should investigate. We must find out if the guards were truthful. Lately, what with all
these strange events…” The general’s voice trailed off. The emperor didn’t need him to finish the sentence; if
this continued, they would all die.
“
But who would be brave enough to do this?” asked the emperor miserably. “Our bravest guards have died,
and the rest won’t even go near the Great Wall anymore.”
“
That is true,” mused the general. “But what if we were to find a commoner instead? They might possess
bravery or wisdom we don’t.”
The emperor considered the plan. On one hand, it was humiliating to ask for a commoner’s help. But on
the other, everyone might die if this did not stop.
“
Go ahead,” said the emperor wearily. “And may luck be with you.” The general bowed and departed.
“
Hear! Hear!” shouted one of the emperor’s ministers. The villagers, including Yan Long’s family,
gathered around him.
“
The emperor wants some courageous beings to investigate what is happening at the Great Wall! Our safety
hangs in the balance! We need your help urgently!”
“
I will go,” said Yan Long. People around him whispered and cast him furtive glances. He ignored them
and strode up to the minister.
“
Wonderful!” gabbled the minister. “Arrive at the Imperial Palace by nightfall!” Then, he mounted his
horse and galloped away at top speed.
Yan Long’s family was horrified at his choice. His father raged. His mother sobbed. His younger sister
pleaded with him not to go. But he was unwavering in his choice. At the minister’s orders, he reached the
Imperial Palace at nightfall.
Two other young men had arrived at the Palace as well. The emperor scrutinised the three of them and said,
“
We hope you can solve this problem. If you succeed, you’ll be rewarded with gold aplenty.” The trio was
armed with a sword each and escorted onto the Great Wall.
They patrolled along the Great Wall, keeping their eyes open for unusual signs. Then, an icy wind blew,
chilling them to the bone. The leaves rustled loudly, like a warning.
A woman glided in front of them. Dark hair veiled her face. A tense silence followed. Then, she threw
back her head and gave a bloodcurdling shriek. She faced the trio. Her hair was unruly and matted, her eyes wild
and blood trickled from her lips. She snarled, revealing long, white fangs.
Just then, another creature came to stand before them. It was a hooded figure. Slowly, it turned to face the
trio and threw back its hood.
The hood and cloak hid a skeleton, with no flesh or blood. The eyes were hollow sockets and the mouth
stretched into a gruesome grin. It reached out towards them with long fingers. The tips brushed Yan Long’s
shoulder; it felt like spiders crawling over him.
The other two boys screamed like little girls and fled. However, Yan Long just took a deep breath and