frowned. Why were we stopping? Then I saw the bulldozers. For a moment, I could not fathom what they were
doing here, but then the realization hit me so hard I felt like all the wind had been knocked out of me. “It’s going
to be built here?” I barely managed to ask. My boss looked slightly amused. “Of course it is. Did you think I
brought you here to go sightseeing?” I could not breathe. Something was terribly wrong. “But sir, this is the
Great Wall of China!” You can’t just destroy the Great Wall. People died building it. Some of their bodies were
used as part of the wall. How do you think they’ll like it when someone destroys something they died to build
and disturbs their resting place? They’ll haunt you forever and ever. “I thought there are laws protecting it?” He
shook his head. “No one cares about these sections. They’re all ruined anyway.” Whenever I caught a glimpse
of how the wall looked like years ago, my breath was taken away, and I wanted to create something just like that,
something that was graceful and good and beautiful. I was almost pleading now. “Sir, I really think we should
construct somewhere else. This wall has witnessed hundreds of years of history and it’s a beautiful, beautiful
piece of artwork. I would really like my building to be constructed somewhere else.” My boss sighed and looked
at me. “I know the Great Wall of China had enormous historical significance and yes, it was an impressive
architectural structure, but look at it now. You can hardly tell what it looked like before. Anyway, this is the
only piece of land I am allowed to use. Life doesn’t let you keep every piece of beauty you find, kid.” I watched
helplessly as the wall was taken apart. Please don’t get mad at us. Our friend was being stupid. He’s really,
really sorry, and he promises never to do that to any other part of the wall again. The bricks toppled over and hit
the sand and rocks on the ground, smashing into a million tiny yellow shards.
I stand on the hill and look over the Great Wall of China. The wall which the visitors see is strong
and proud, a golden dragon flying freely against beautiful mountains, yet they don’t know that behind this mask
of grace and power, the Great Wall of China is bruised and broken. And only when I try to see through the fog
of time do I catch a glimpse of how the wall looked like years ago, and how the world looked like when it was a
wonderful and exciting adventure, and everything in life was good and beautiful.
* * *