New Tales of The Great Wall
Sharon Ng, Group 2: Fiction, St. Paul’s Convent School Primary
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“
Wow! The Great Wall is so long!” exclaimed Alexandra. I ran towards and enormous
ure that caught my eye. It depicted many weak and pale-looking men building the Wall.
hless-looking Generals with whips stood beside the slaves. “What’s so interesting about
old picture? It’s just people working, that’s all,” Eliza remarked. “Just people working, eh?
ng? Do you know how many people have suffered and died in this hard labour?” A man
from the picture shouted angrily. We all gasped in shock. Pictures could talk? “What I see is simply a
bunch of silly people working,” said Eliza boldly. “You think we’re so silly, don’t you? Then try it for
yourself!” roared the man as a hand protruded from the picture and snatched Eliza into it. “What can
we do?” Alexandra was sobbing uncontrollably while I was so astounded that I couldn’t utter a single
word. “Do you want to find your friend? I’m going there to find my husband,” a gentle voice whispered
in my ear. I was startled and staggered back, knocking against Alexandra. “Wh…Who are you?” I
stammered. A beautiful woman was floating in mid-air before our eyes. “Look Elinor,” Alexandra, in
trepidation, nudged me. “You need not fear me,” the woman spoke. “My name is Meng Jiangnu. I’m
looking for my husband at the Great Wall. If you want to rescue your friend, come…” Touching her
hand, we were whirred into complete darkness……
E
Eliza
“
Oi! Slowpoke!” a thunderous voice rang in my ears. My head swirled and my only memory was
being pulled into the canvas by a crazed man. To my horror, a man holding a whip was glaring at me. I
gulped. “What are you doing? Daydreaming?” roared the man. I was thrown a basketful of bricks to
carry to the Wall. “What?” I yelled at the General. His eyes blazingly with fury; he cracked his whip at
me. I collapsed onto the ground as a deep gash opened on my face. Blood streamed down my cheeks.
Fearing the mortifying whip, I hurriedly gathered myself and stumbled to join the others to get more
bricks. It was then that I realized I was wearing strange, old clothes. My hair was tied in a bun and I
looked like a boy from my history books. Round the bend, I caught a glimpse of a skinny boy also
transporting bricks for the Wall. “Hi!” I said. “Who…Who are you?” he stuttered petrified. I’m a slave,
just like you. What’s your name?” The boy heaved a sigh of relief. He wiped his sweaty forehead and
said, “I’m Zhang. What’s yours?” “Uh… Shang! I’m Shang!” I uttered. I couldn’t let anyone know I
was a girl. “How come children have to work as well?” I asked. “Are you a newcomer?” the boy
questioned me. “Well, I…” “Never mind,” he waved his hand off the matter. “People are forced to be
slaves – slaves for the Emperor.”
“
Our Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, wants to protect the northern part of China from the Huns by
connecting sections of walls to form the Great Wall. He sends millions of people to build the Wall.
Elderly women and girls stay at home, whilst men and boys old enough to work are sent here. Most of
us,” he glanced around and continued, “end up dying here. Many are already buried beneath these thick
bricks.” Hearing these words, I felt a sudden chill creep down my spine……
Alexandra
My head was throbbing like mad as light shone directly into my eyes. “You’re awake!” shrieked
Elinor. She gave me a big hug that crushed the life out of me. “Get off!” I blinked, dazed. “Where are
we?” I asked Meng Jiangnu. She smiled, “The Shanhaiguan Pass.” Right! We were supposed to find
Meng’s husband and rescue Eliza!” “How long have you been searching for you husband?” Her eyes
were filled with sadness as she gazed into the distance. “He has been gone for a long time. After
months of desperate search, this is my last resort.” “Look! Eliza is talking to a small boy!” Elinor cried
out, elated. Meng stepped into the clearing, searching frantically for her husband. “Have you seen my
husband, Fan Qiliang?” “I’m very sorry madam, Fan Qiliang died of exhaustion a few months ago.”
What happened next was so inconceivable yet heart-breaking to describe. Struck by the news of her
husband’s death, Meng collapsed to the ground and let out a mournful wail. She cried and cried until
bricks of the Great Wall started crumbling down. “Go!” I shouted to Elinor. “Save Eliza!” We rushed
to Eliza and screamed, “Eliza! We’re here!” “Look out!” the little boy called. A huge boulder struck us
and, once again, darkness swallowed me.
When I came to, I found myself back the Qin Shi Huang exhibition, in front of the picture. Eliza
exclaimed, “Never….ever… will I pass a judgment without considering the circumstances again.” “I
wonder what happened to Meng Jiangnu,” I pondered aloud. “Who’s Meng?” Eliza asked. Elinor and I
told her about our adventure. We scanned the whole exhibition for Meng’s name. “Aha! Here she is!” I
read Meng’s story. “Qin Shi Huang was captivated by Meng’s beauty. Instead of punishing Meng, he
asked her to marry him. Suppressing her anger, Meng asked Qin for three things before agreeing to the