Paths Under the Great Wall
Patricia Urme
mm….. I thought. What should I write about the Great Wall…….. While keeping my writing
interesting? Hmm….. I started walking along the wall until I sat down feeling helpless. “Why does it
seem so empty today?” I said aloud to myself. I mumbled to myself going on and on about how
miserably I’d fail this assignment.
I decided t
neta, Group 2: Fiction, St. Margaret's Co-educational English Secondary & Primary School
o head back home as it was already starting to get dark. I ran across the wall passing several
temples, until something tripped me over. “Ouch….” I groaned looking at my scratched leg. What could
possibly have tripped me? I looked back to see a small door on the floor. It looks small, but I think I can fit in.
Then an idea popped into my head, I can write about this! Surely, no one’s gone in. I hope so… I thought.
H
I carefully opened the door, and surprisingly, there were a few old looking lamps hanging on the sides.
Ridiculously thinking that there were stairs or something, I took a step and fell, crashing to the ground.
“
Seriously?” I shouted. “At least I didn’t get too hurt…” Then suddenly, the doors above me swung shut. I
started to panic and push against the door as I screamed “Let me out! Open the door!”
It was probably eight or nine o’clock by now. I slumped down against the walls around me, thinking “What
should I do?” I stood up and tried to think of how to get out as I walked. Out of nowhere I heard a voice.
“
Hello?” I said softly. “Is anyone there?” I whipped around as I felt someone place their hand on my shoulder.
“
Ahh! Who’s there?!”
I saw a girl, a few years older than me who looked just as startled. “My name is Li Hua, and I’m merely
here to help you,” she said.
“
Are you here to help me with my assignment or help me get out of here?” I asked.
“
Um, both I guess? If you want me to help you with your assignment, that’s fine with me.”
Li Hua replied: “Maybe, you can give me information about the Great Wall of China, while you help me get
out of here,” I suggested. We started walking around sharp corners and up and down stairs. They should’ve put
stairs under that door. I thought to myself.
“
The Great Wall of China was very useful during the battle between Qi Jiguang’s army and the Japanese
pirates in the year 1555.” I struggled to write it all down. She sure knows a lot about this wall.
“
The wall is also known as ‘The Stone Dragon’ as it is made almost completely out of stone and looks like a
very long dragon from a high distance away.”
“
How do you know this much?” I asked curiously.
“
Well, you see-“ She got cut off by a strange loud rumbling noise coming from behind us. “What was that?”
I asked. “I…don’t….know.” She replied unsteadily.
“
Anyways, the Great Wall of China was not this long before…”She continued. “It started off as several
short walls, which were then connected to each other in the 7th century, creating a bigger and stronger wall used
to protect China…”
I didn’t know why, but I started to get suspicious of this girl. Maybe because she knows so much, or
because she waves away strange happenings and acts like they never happened. I was so deep in thought that I
didn’t hear what Li Hua said. “Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?” She said attempting to get my attention. “Huh?
What?”I muttered. “We’re here, at the exit” She said smiling.
“
Oh, thanks! Wait a moment, how did you know the way out?” I say.
“
I think you should be able to figure that out.” She replied.
She turned around and walked back and as I watched her, she faded away. She’s a ghost? I ran back inside
to look for her. A ghost? No way, she can’t possibly be a ghost! Ghosts don’t exist. I ran until I found another
door, except, it was on the wall, not the floor. When I tried to open the door, it wouldn’t budge. However, I
pushed lightly and the door opened so suddenly, I fell over. Again.
“
Why do I keep falling over in this place?!” I looked up from my leg, which was now scratched even more,
to see a very ancient looking table with notes and messages. The notes were so old, they turned to dust in my
hands. Then I heard a voice behind me: “Hello again. If you’re looking for more information, you won’t find it
in there.” I turned around to see Li Hua, except this time, she looked very pale and transparent.
“
Did you make these tunnels?” I asked, thinking that could be why she knows this place so well. “Well,
actually yes, yes I did.” She said grinning.
“
This place is really creepy, no offence.” I said looking around the room.