New Tales of the Gobi Desert
Beacon Hill School, Jaimie Lau, Fiction: Group 2
G
oodnight, Annette. Sweet dreams.”
Eliza was exiting Annette’s room when Annette interrupted, “But what about my
bedtime story?”
“Um, are you tired, dear?” Eliza asked doggedly.
“No Mommy. Please, a short one?” Annette pleaded with her fingers crossed. She loved it when
her mother read her stories.
“Oh, alright honey.” Sighing, Eliza made her way to the book shelf, pulling out a thin volume.
Walking back to Annette’s bed with the picture book, she sat down and began to read.
“New Tales of the Gobi Desert. Once upon a time, there were two little puppies who lived posh
and importantly. But one day, the two little puppies got whisked to the Gobi Desert. The little
puppies, who was named Sparkle and Snowy, didn’t know how it happened, but all they knew
was that they were in a sandy, dusty and plain area. They wondered around the desert until they
found a very small animal - a jerboa. Tiny and mousey, these animals had powerful hind legs
allowing them to jump as much as ten feet at a time. They also had a long tail that helps them
maintain balance on the rocky landscape. To Sparkle and Snowy, the jerboa was puny. They
laughed and jeered at it.
“Who are you, little mousey?” Sparkle scoffed, unimpressed.
“I am a jerboa. Although I am small—”
“Yes, we know, you’re weak. We don’t need you to tell us that, we’re not that stupid.” Snowy
interrupted rudely.
“No I am not!” The jerboa started angrily, only to be cut across my Sparkle.
“Oh, yes you are. There isn’t any point trying to argue. It’s just the truth. Now, if you don’t
mind, we’ll be getting on our way. Move it.” Sparkle sniffed importantly. But before she could
sweep him away, a majestic golden eagle came down from the sky and arranged itself before
them. As fast as a blink of an eye, the jerboa darted behind the nearest clump of shrubs and out
of sight. The eagle spoke in a soft, dangerous voice.
“Did you see a jerboa? I thought I saw one talking to you just before our little meeting.”
“N-n-no, um,” It was clear that Snowy didn’t know how to address the eagle without being
eaten immediately. “Uh, sir.”
She gulped.
“No? Really. We shall see, canines.” The eagle took off.
“Wow. He’s in a hurry. And why did you stick up for that little rat, the rascal, the tiny one
who’s weak? Sparkle asked, looking disgusted.
“Oh well—”
“That tiny rodent is good-for-nothing, mischievous and useless. Don’t - and I mean don’t -
ever side with it again. Okay?” Sparkle bossed, eyeing Snowy meaningfully.
“Sorry Sparkle.”
They trotted on until they reached a small sand dune.
“Wow.” Snowy sighed.
Sparkle nodded.
“
