Just Be Strong Like a WALL
Hoi Ki Ng, Group 3: Fiction, TMCC Holm Glad College Secondary School
ow! How grand it is!” I shouted when I arrived at "The Great Wall” in China.
"
The Great Wall” is one of the World Heritage sites in China. It was still strong after
having been defended from lots of invaders. So it is one of the reasons why it is one of the
greatest wonders of the world. Today, I was here with my parents because we travelled in
Beijing for seven days. And one of the parts in our schedule is travelling to see “The Great
Wall of China”.
We were going to have a walk along the "The Great Wall”. Before that, I discovered that there was an
article at the station introducing the Great Wall. I was so curious about what the Great Wall is that I read it
seriously. It said something like: "The Great Wall of China is considered one of the greatest wonders of the
world. It crosses deserts and mountains for thousands of miles. So many people think that it is just like an
indestructible dragon because it cannot be entirely destroyed or completely broken down when under attack by
warring tribes or through erosion or other natural forces."
"
Oh! It is amazing!” I thought. "Hey! Jenny! It’s time to start our traveling! Come on!” My mother loudly
shouted to us. I ran towards her immediately and we started our trip along “The Great Wall”.
Firstly, we admired the path which is surrounded by fortifications. It would not have been easy to build in
a non-technical generation. I was so surprised to see such grandeur that I had never seen before. The image that
I see now is a long path which is like a dragon and a lot of people are fearlessly strolling along the dragon's back
now. But I feel fear, as we tread carefully along the well-worn pathway along its back barely glancing below to
see the tops of tall trees. The great drop below beckons and I feel the dread that I will be dragged down from the
path which is perched up so high upon the mighty dragon. I had the terrible sensation of the dragon moving as if
to shrug off the trespassing tourists, as if to protect itself from danger or further damage, to preserve its majesty
for eternity.
It remains invincible, and there we were standing precariously on its back. Its strength is what protects it,
regardless of nature or human interference. Can any person be as strong or so protected from destruction?
Stanley Cheung immediately came to my mind as I had previously listened to an interview with him when he
became one of the 2010 Spirit Ambassadors for Hong Kong.
Stanley Cheung was a victim of the Pak Sin Leng hill fire in 1996 while he was on a school picnic there.
The hill fire was so severe and unexpected it killed some of the teachers and students and injured others.
Stanley was badly injured by the fire, but despite his injuries which scarred his body, damaged his hearing
and left his hands without some of his fingers, he never lost his spirit. Though he was just entering in his teens, a
sensitive time in a young person's life where appearance is so important, he never gave up. It made Stanley
become determined to move on with his life and dreams. After he left the hospital, he started his new life. Firstly,
he struggled to improve his education and finally he earned a university degree and became a counsellor to help
others who suffer misfortune. He never gave up despite all his difficulties, and because of his difficulties has
been able to help others with their problems.
So why does the Great Wall remind me of Stanley Cheung? It's his indomitable spirit that shines through
despite injury and loss. He is awe inspiring, like the Great Wall of China. Everyone faces difficulties in life.
Some will give up entirely. Others will keep going on with their life though with such fear and care to avoid
further problems they fail to take advantage of opportunities that arise. Others again will learn from their
suffering and continue with their life bravely confident of success at some point in the future. Stanley Cheung is
one of those people who choose to keep going on with his life, learning from his misfortune, and achieving
success.
I think that Stanley Cheung is a good example of an indomitable spirit. He taught me that life is important
and we can't give up easily. After the talk, I reminded myself that I must never give up and become strong in my
life.
"
Jenny! We must keep going on! Why do you keep daydreaming? Please keep walking on! My mother
shouted to me again. This knocked me out of my reflections except for the final thought. Yes! We must keep
going on, right?
* * *
“
W