However, there was a new twist in my third week staying in the Underworld. That morning I woke up to
find scores of people demonstrating around the hotel, demanding to see me. Shocked as I was, I decided to go
out to meet them. I was “greeted” by a series of small genetically modified tomatoes flying at my feet once I set
foot out of the hotel.
“
GET OUT OF HERE!” the people shouted.
“
Why?” I asked in spite of the clamour.
“
YOU HAVE USED UP A LOT OF OUR RESOURCES!” they boomed.
The leader of the protest shouted at my ear, “You have used up our monthly quota in two weeks! Get out of
here, or bear the consequences, you lazy bug!!”
“
I will try to consume fewer resources then.” I replied. Obviously, the people were not satisfied. “JUST
LEAVE HERE NOW!!! WE DON’T TRUST YOU!”
“
Okay, but let me talk with your leader.” They still seemed not satisfied, but I did not dare say anything
more. I marched quickly to the temple, with the protest procession at my tail. “HI!” I shouted loudly at the
window. The leader was out in seconds. After briefly recalling what just happened, I asked for his opinion.
The leader sighed. “I am in a jam. I want you to stay here to assist me, yet I will not go against the views of
my people.”
He decided that he would hold a discussion with the opposition party. After what seemed like an eternity,
the leader finally emerged out of the temple. “You must leave here in two days.” he announced. I nodded in
defeat. The protest procession, pleased with the result, dispersed shortly afterwards.
At the last meeting with the leader, I passed on some more basic information on constructing a modern
railway to him. During that period, I also told him that the hole where I came in was too deep for me to climb up.
The leader directed me to make use of the entrance by the sea to leave the Underworld.
Finally, he whispered, “my people hate modern people in general, because they discovered the air above
was dirty, and the ground was brown and dusty. This was unlike the world in Ming, which was clear with blue
skies. They hate the modern people for polluting the skies and ruining the beautiful world. Though they know
that the high technology they use causes carbon dioxide emissions, we have been reducing it by using energy-
efficient infrastructure, and converting all of our carbon dioxide output into oxygen by using plants.”
The leader arranged a large truck for me to follow his limousine to the entrance. He bade me goodbye and
asked me not to disclose what I had seen there to anybody, or otherwise their society might be destroyed by
numerous visitors. He added, “This place has been peaceful for over three hundred years. It cannot afford to be
destroyed by the modern people.” I promised him to remain tight-lipped, and thanked him for his kindness and
accommodation during my stay. Finally, I walked out of the Underworld and returned to the modern world.
I breathed in the air, and immediately coughed. Phew! It was so polluted! It was very different from the air
in the Underworld. The Underworld adventure made me understand the importance of environmental protection.
If we keep our air clean and plant more trees, our children and grandchildren can continue to enjoy a happy life
on the Earth. However, if we don’t, our next generation may hate us for wrecking their world just like the people
of the Underworld.
I am planning on going back to the Great Wall next summer. Perhaps I will visit the Underworld again.
During the trip, I may show them some photos of the Earth which are not yet polluted, such as country parks and
natural reserves. I hope they can have another opinion on the modern people by that time.
* * *