A New Tale of the Great Wall
Crystal Kwan, Group 2: Fiction, Beacon Hill School
y great grandmother was sitting comfortably in the living room reading an old book, she looked
very interested. I walked silently inside, trying not to interrupt her. Without thinking, I asked her
curiously, “Great grandma, what is it about? Is it a fiction book? Sorry I interrupted you!” “It’s a
non-fiction book I borrowed from the library. It’s all about the Great Wall of China. It’s pretty
famous and was my wish to go there……even when I’m now one hundred years old. Don’t
interrupt me again,” She replied. I asked, “Is that your
only
wish? Why didn’t you ask your parents
if you could go there?” My great grandmother said softly, “Yes, it was my
only
wish, but my family was very
poor, so I couldn’t go there. Now, I’m very old…I can’t go to big trips……you’re such a curious little scientist,
so many questions!” Suddenly we heard dad calling out, “Tom! Tom! Where are you?” Great grandmother said
to me, “It’s time to go! Your father’s calling you!” I nodded my head and left with my dad.
M
Back home, my mum said to me, “Hey, today’s your great grandmother’s birthday. Got something for her?
I gave her my best piece of artwork.” I sat down and thought,
today’s great grandma’s birthday! How come I
didn’t know! I should get her something about the great wall! Should I give her a post card, picture, birthday
card?
I replied to my mum, “I’m sorry I forgot birthday. I’m going shopping! Back in thirty minutes!”
“
No
problem!” Mum answered grinning.
I wondered along the Shanghai stores, looking if there was anything for great grandma. Suddenly,
someone tapped on my shoulder. I said “Who’s that?” The person did not answer me, but kept on tapping on my
shoulder. I turned around looking annoyed and realized it was my grandparents. Feeling quite embarrassed and
ashamed, I apologized, “Sorry grandpa and grandma.” Grandma replied, “Don’t need to be sorry. Well, we’re
going to buy something for your great grandmother, are you? We’re coming with you. Will you mind?” I replied
grumbling, “No……” My grandparents said mysteriously together, “Come with us.”
I followed them to the shop; it wasn’t any near the Shanghai village. It was in a
secretive little corner. I didn’t really recognize this shop, I gasped when I saw it.
It was not like the other shops. Inside, it was very dusty, there were many boxes carved beautifully. I
exclaimed, “This is amazing!” The shop keeper smiled and smiled, “Sure does!”
On the table, there were pictures of pretty views and famous cities. I asked the shop keeper “Is there
anything of the Great Wall of China?” The shop keeper didn’t answer me, but he walked away and came back
with a small box carved with dragons on it. Grandma said, “Tom, look inside it. Perhaps it will have what you
want.” I searched and searched, finally I found a picture at the very bottom of the box. It was the picture of the
Great Wall! The shop keeper said, “Just an old photo……covered with dust, you can take it for free.” I danced
around with glee as he said it was free. Grandpa said with his twinkly eyes, “That’s a lovely birthday present for
your great grandmother. She’ll love it! I promise!”
After I said my goodbyes to my grandparents, I rushed to my great
grandma’s house and quickly knocked on the door. Great grandma called out,
“
Who’s there? Is it Tom
again
?”
I said, “Yes it is! Great grandma! Can you let me in?” She replied, “Of
course!” I pushed open the door and went straight inside the living room. I hugged my great grandma and said,
“
Happy birthday! There’s a present for you…I hope you like it!” I held out the picture and gave it to her. She
gasped with delight and thanked me. I told her, “You don’t really have to say thank you. I got it for free from a
little shop.” She said to me, “Oh! The picture just looks so real! I just wish I could go there……with Tom too!”
Then something magical happened. We were thrown like a ragged doll and sucked into the picture. We
screamed with terror and fear. Finally, we landed on a heap of bricks. We shouted together with pain “OWWW!”
I gazed around looking troubled. It was strange, there were people wearing ancient Chinese clothing. I
smelled sweat, heard people crying and snapping sounds. Great grandma said, “Where is this place? Maybe I’m
bit crazy today,
but we’re on the Great Wall of China! Tom, that’s the BEST present ever! I read books about it, watched movies
about it……till now. My dream has finally come true!”
I asked her “Oh great, are we dreaming? Are we really on the Great Wall of China? What year is it?” I
stood up with my bottom hurting. Great grandma replied to me, “I know quite a lot! Well, we are in the Ming
Dynasty, I think the year is between…1368 and 1643??? I can tell you this is true! It’s happening!”
I replied, “Oh! Thanks great grandma for giving me many answers. Though, I need to go home!” I heard
footsteps behind me, someone slapped me. I cried out with pain. Now, I heard, “Hey! Go to work! Don’t be lazy!
Get the bricks or else I will slap you again! Old lady, you don’t need to go to work, so go back home! This is not
a place for you!” We wailed “Oh no! Bring us back to the modern world!” We got sucked in the picture again!
This time, we landed somewhere high. I said to myself “Oh that was scary! The
ancient people were so violent to the workers! I feel sorry for them.” Great grandma said, “Yes I agree!” I stood
up not knowing we were on the roof top. Great grandma said, “Careful! I don’t want you……” Before she could