the sand. I started to doubt whether there was any water at all, when I abruptly toppled backwards.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine. There’s something really bright in there.”
Cautiously, we continued digging and before long, my hands felt something burning hot. We
uncovered an odd shaped metal object...it was gold!
“There’s a compass in here too! This could lead me back to my family!” I exclaimed. I was so
delighted! And there was also all the gold that I could take back to them!
As I looped the chain of the compass around my neck and before I even had time to react,
Annchi’s hand snatched the compass and took off, running faster than the wind, taking with her
all the gold we had found.
“NO!” I shouted, running after her. “I need the compass to get home! I’m from Shangba
Village too!!”
But it was no use. She was already a dot in the horizon. A feeling of betrayal overwhelmed
me. For days, she had been my only hope of surviving in this isolated desert. We had gone
through so much together. How could she do that? Tears poured down my face as I slowly sat
down. I had dreamed of being reunited with my family. I wanted to bring the gold back home
so that all the villagers could prosper with it. Now… those dreams were shattered. I lay onto the
ground, finally giving up, and fell asleep from exhaustion.
The sound of the helicopter woke me. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was filled with joy as mom,
dad and Lian rushed from the helicopter, enveloping me in tight hugs. Then I saw Annchi rushing
forward, trying to explain, “I took the gold and the compass to get back to my family. But then I
heard you shout that you were also from Shangba Village! It was too late to return to you… so I
just…just told someone that you were in the middle of the Gobi!”
“Thanks for coming back!” I hugged her.
On the way home, I remembered how I had always wanted to move away from the Gobi. But
now I thought otherwise. It was in the Gobi that so much had happened in my life and in the
course of just these few days, it had changed who I was. I realized that everyone should cherish
each day they have with their loved ones. We struggle so much with obstacles in life, but as long
as we persevere and we believe in ourselves, we will always be able to succeed no matter what we
choose to do.
