One Strange Photograph
Sum Chu
I gazed out the airplane window as my ears popped. The view was magnificent with its sea of fluffy white
clouds. Occasionally the sun peeked out from his hiding place. I winced as its rays pierced my eyes. I
looked back at mum and dad. My dad was peering at his phone and my mum was dozing. How can they be
so dull and tedious? I have been frenetic and fidgety since I woke up. I think my ADHD must have kicked
in. This is what happened every time we went on vacation.
en Li, Group 3: Fiction, Renaissance College
We were on our way to see the Great Wall of China, a “Once in a lifetime experience”, according to
my mom. Although I am an American-Born-Chinese, I have never been to China and I am thrilled to visit my
home country. Travelling is one of my favorite hobbies, along with photography; both were things that would
keep me focused on this trip.
I
Knowing I would have a long day ahead, I willed myself to sleep, and dreamt about the lush green
fields. I slowly sank back into my chair.
When I woke up, the jarring sound of the plane wheels grazing the runway rang in my ears. After the
tiresome landing procedures and the photocopied smiles from my parents, the muscles of the corners of my
mouth were twitching when we finally found our tour group. Once everyone arrived, we all leapt on the tourist
bus and immediately started on our way.
Not long after, we were leaving the city and winding our way through the countryside. Crude houses
and paddy fields sprang into my view. I quickly raised my camera to snap a few pictures before it was gone,
though the pictures were blurred by the speed of the bus.
Upon our arrival, the sun greeted us, smiling, shining, and stretching his hands to us. I skipped out of
the bus and dragged my parents along. They were stumbling along because they were unpacking much, such as
pulling out hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. “Look at the sun! It is so strong! We must protect ourselves from the
UV rays!” said my parents clicking their tongues disapprovingly.
I recited to them the background information about the Great Wall that I knew from my research before
the trip. ‘Yes. Yes!’ said my impatient parents, who were still applying the sun protection factor. Seeing they
were uninterested and sticky from the sunscreen, I immediately removed my hand sharply. Then I switched
topics. ‘Dad, may I go sightseeing on my own with my camera? I’ll stay out of trouble, I swear. Pretty Please!’ I
pleaded. Again my parents were reluctant to let me use the camera on my own, but I understood, of course
because of my past experience with it… But my parents were in a good mood and they irresistibly were caught
by the hook of my innocent smile; they handed me the camera. Without further ado I bounded towards the
stairwell. Full of vigor, I climbed the steep stairs while drinking in the stunning scenery.
Eyeing the watchtower nearby, I thought it was the perfect place to take pictures. There would be no
objects blocking my camera’s view and me. I climbed up the watchtower, to the place where ages ago the
people started bonfires to signal each other of approaching enemies. I wondered why nobody was there? Since it
was such a good spot, why didn’t the people go there?
Gazing across the surroundings, I searched for a spot where I would take my picture. Far from the wall
I spotted a lush, green meadow. Suddenly remembering my research, I knew that the endangered Siberian Roe
Deer lives there. Hoping that I would have a chance to see one, I held my camera up and turned to snapshot
mode. Since this camera is an expensive snapshot camera, with the snapshot mode on, it fully automates flash,
focus and shutter speed. I grinned from ear to ear. I was so excited! As I clicked the button, from a distance, I
heard a bang. No one seemed to notice; they were all too busy with their sightseeing.
Perhaps I was imagining things. It was then when I saw a brown and red spot at the meadow. I squinted
my eyes to take a look. I looked around again nobody realized it.
I went to inspect my pictures to see a clearer scene. The first one had nothing unusual, till the third one.
I zoomed in. Moderately sized, long neck and ears, creamy belly, reddish coat. It was the Capreolus pygargus…
the Siberian Roe Deer! I could not believe my luck I saw a Siberian deer. But it turned to horror and disgust.
The next picture was unexpected. There was a man in a straw-hat. He must the killer, I realized. Then I clicked
the down button for the next picture. There was red liquid squirting out of the DEER! The man had his rifle up
and the deer had a blooming red spot on his neck. My pictures proved my point. This man just killed the
endangered Siberian Deer. I also realized why nobody saw it. It was the watchtower, a special place! That just
gave me even more responsibility, as I was the only witness. Just as I was turning around to find my parents, the
camera slipped from my hands. It fell on the other side of the wall. Oh why did I not use the neck strap, I asked
myself wearily?