The Legend of Theseus and the Nian
Sha Tin Junior School, Winter Lau, Fiction: Group 2
I
magine a time, when terrifying beasts roam over the hills, deserts, cliffs, and plains; when
courageous knights and princes come out of their stunning and luxurious castles to slay
them, and when loyal apprentices join the hero’s side and save their lives. Well, this story is
about that time.
Centuries ago, a half bull half dragon beast called the Nian, lived in China. Every new year’s
eve, it would stride around China and gobble any mankind. An old man accidentally let off a red
firework stick when he was about to be killed the beast, sending the sword horned beast running
for its life! He taught all the people in China to do what he did. Post red posters all around their
doors and letting off fireworks. The Nian was so scared that it had no choice but to run. It got
as far as the Gobi desert in Mongolia. When it reached there it came across a dark and gloomy
cavern and created a labyrinth beneath it!
After settling in its abyss for some time, the Nian came out and started to hunt Mongolians.
The population of Mongolia went down quickly because the Nian’s killing. King Minos started
to worry about his country and finally he came up with an evil idea. He decided to attack other
countries with his strong army to capture their people and drive them into the labyrinth to feed
the beast.
Soon, Mongolians began to fight all the countries in the west and east. Russians, Germans,
Indians, Italians, Polands… all were driven into battle and lost every one of them. The whole
world was shaking! China, led by King Ageus, fought fiercely with Mongolians, the battle lasted
for many years. In the end, King Ageus found out what had driven the countries into such an
ambition. So he convinced King Minos to stop fighting and promised to kill the Nian!
When Ageus came back from the battlefield, he sat on the throne with anxiety. King Ageus
thought over and over, thinking which one in his empire would be brave enough to kill the Nian.
Just at that moment, a very determined voice broke the deadly silence in the room. “Dad, I am
willing slay kill the horrible beast!” King Ageus looked down with his eyes full of darkness, he
noticed his son – Theseus, wearing a suit of shinning golden armor kneed in front of him.
Next day, early in the morning, Theseus mounted his white horse and rode peacefully off from
the castle and entered the Gobi Desert. After correcting his direction many times, he reached the
entrance of the labyrinth after many days. A beautiful girl with long eyelashes was waiting for
him at the entrance. It was Ariadne - the princess of Mongolia. ”Prince, these may help you to
fight the beast.” She handed Theseus a firework stick, a sword, and a ball of wool. “The ball of
wool will help you find your way out of the dark, the sword will help you kill the Nian, and the
firework stick will help you scare the beast.” In awe of her words, Theseus tied the end of the wool
on a tree, and begun venturing into the darkness as Ariadne called after him, “Be careful!”
Creeping along corners and slipping into shadows. All his senses were alert in case the
Nian caught him by surprise. Suddenly, a growl like thunder shook the cave and Theseus’s head
whipped around to make out the outline of the monster with flaring nostrils and two piercing
horns that looked like they could tear iron as though they were tinfoil. The furious beast began
darting forward with all its speed and strength. Ready to rip his heart out. As Theseus zipped
out of the Nian’s soul stealing horns, he grabbed the firework stick and held it in front of him.
