HKYWA 2014 Online Anthology (Fiction 1-2) - page 397

“These plants are called SAXAULS. They can be pressed to produce drinking water and used
for medical purposes. But most important of all, because desertification is a serious problem in the
Gobi, people grow saxauls to prevent sandstorms and air pollution.”
“Wow, wow…” It’s the howling of the dusty sandstorm. It sweeps through the desert like a
roaring monster. I’m really terrified.
“Let’s hide behind the saxauls!” Timothy yells.
We watch the sandstorm passing by the desert. I’m amazed by the miracle created by the
saxauls. They are like natural screens that block away the sandstorm. They are the soldiers who
are protecting the territory.
Finally, the sandstorm stops. The sky becomes clear. I can see several tents lying not far
away from us.
“Those are the yurts of the MONGOLIANS. They live inside. The Mongolians are the rulers of
the Gobi. They farm, rear livestock and safeguard this piece of land. I’m sure they can help you.”
Timothy pacifies me.
“Mum, it’s alive. It’s not just a skeleton!” A boy cries out when he sees me.
“Yes. Nars, go and tell our leader Shaki. Our protecting God is alive.” Nars’ mother says.
Then Nars leads us into Shaikh’s yurt.
“I’ve been travelling a long way. I must find my family members before I die.” I tell Shaikh.
Shaikh pats my shoulder and says, “Our traditional proverb says, ‘Happy is the one who has
guests, merry is the home boasting a tethering rail full of visitor’s horses.” You’re our honorable
guest. I promise I’ll make your dream come true.”
At night, there is a camp fire in the open area. I listen to the Mongolian songs and watch the
Mongolian dances. I drink sheep milk and share their bread. Then I rest in their yurt. It’s the most
pleasurable day in the desert.
When I wake up the next morning, many yurts have disappeared. I wonder what’s happened
to them.
“Good morning! We’re busy packing for our next journey. We’re nomadic herders. We must
move on from place to place to find grass for our livestock. Before leaving, we’ll take you to find
your relatives.” Nars explains to me.
Later that day, we arrive at a two-storey building.
“It’s the MUSEUM OF ERENHOT. Your parents and siblings are inside. Please accept
everything that you see.” Shaikh warns me.
I dash into the museum. I see a model that looks like me in the entrance. What I see next
really shocks me. I see the skeletons of my dead ancestors!
Then I see a giant egg at the very end of the room. It’s the egg of my little brother. It lay just
next to me before we were apart.
I run towards it and hold it tightly. I fall to the ground and burst into tears.
“This is the first DINOSAUR EGG that was ever found in the world. From then on, we
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