Alfred’s Punishment
Sammi Wong, Group 3: Fiction, HKUGA College
nce upon a time, there was a gigantic palace shimmering in the sky, above the clouds. There lived
many gods, and each of them has their own unique ability.
One day, two spry children of the money god were playing joyfully. The children of the
money god looked like dwarfs with pointy and long noses. Their eyes were pretty big and watery,
accompanied with their petite mouths. They always loved to wear golden hats. Although they were
pretty short, they often wore expensive clothes with long sleeves too. They were chasing each other
enthusiastically. They scrambled through bushes, yelling, “Look out, I’m going to catch you!” They ran
everywhere, not even bothering if they bumped into anyone’s territory. They were too excited, their cheeks
burned. Unfortunately, they end up bumping into Alfred’s den accidentally.
Alfred was the god of strength. He looked like a dragon, only that the size was enlarged. He had got
the mightiest body in the entire world, with sharp claws and impressive, shiny scales. His body was even harder
than diamonds, making him one of the best fighters among all. Although Alfred was actually warm-hearted and
enthusiastic, he was bad tempered indeed. Alfred was a grateful and helpful god; he always liked to help others,
especially when it evolved fighting. He loved to fight for justice; he never fought for the evil. Unfortunately,
Alfred would get mad easily too. Even a teeny fly sneaking into its den would make him terribly angry.
There were a lot of fantasy treasures in Alfred’s den. The two puny children were agog that they did
not even realize whose den it was. They admired the treasures so much they totally forgot about chasing each
other immediately. Instead, they rushed around, discovering and played with Alfred’s treasures without his
permission.
“
Hey look! What is that?”
“
Wow, it looks funny! Oh, it is soft and bouncy! I love it!”
They twisted and swung and squeezed. Then threw stuff at each other, enjoying themselves so well
they even forgot to get out of Alfred’s den before it was too late.
Suddenly, a voice as loud as thunder roared, “What are you two puny kids doing with my fabulous den?”
The children looked frightened, they quickly escaped. Unfortunately, Alfred was not that easy. He chased after
them, feeling horribly furious. “How dare you!” he kept screaming. Alfred’s pointy claws and feet stomped on
the ground. His eyes were vermilion in color.
“
Please forgive us!” squeaked the two, “We didn’t mean it! We did not even realize whose den it was!”
“
Oh shall I?” exclaimed Alfred, crashing and bumping on everything he saw.
“
We will never do it again, we promise!” begged the children poorly.
They were on a wild goose chase, with roaring and squeaking at the same time.
“
Stop it right now! You three!” snapped a voice angrily, “What are you guys doing? You destroyed
the superb peace in our brilliant palace!” The great voice belonged to the king of all gods, who was worshipped
and led the gods. He managed to keep the splendid peace in the palace.
“
King?” Alfred said immediately, “but they destroyed my den! How am I supposed to forgive them?”
“
They are just kids! Do you expect that anyone not to make a single mistake? Even I will! Everyone
may make a mistake, nobody is perfect. As long as they do not repeat the mistake, it is fine! Especially when
they are still very young! How can you treat them like that?” yelled the king furiously.
“
I am sorry, but…” sailed Alfred’s voice, terrified and scared.
“
But what?” shouted the kind angrily, “I would punish you by having you protecting China in the
human world until I agree of the presence of you in this wonderful kingdom! Besides, you better apologize to
the money god and her children! Please reflect about the mistakes you made!”
After Alfred apologized sorrowfully and gloomily, as the king chanted a bunch of magical words,
Alfred was banished from the god world.
Henceforth, pitiable Alfred wretchedly went to the plain human world. He climbed and climbed over
mountains, until one day he has lost all of his energy, and slept. Gradually, all of Alfred’s scales became bricks,
and his whole body turned into the Great Wall, which protected China for years and years.
* * *
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