The Poacher and I
Shanghai Singapore International School, Chew Yen Teng Lorraine, Fiction: Group 1
I
am Rudolph the snow leopard. I sleep, hunt and roam alone.
I grew up in the Gobi desert amongst juicy cactuses, lizards, black tailed gazelles,
camels, wolves, Mongolian wild asses and big brown bears.
I have 1.3 million square kilometers to play in happily and roam freely. I like to play
among the Gobi flora which includes the saltwort, saxual tree, wild onions, desert shrubbery and
grass. My favourite place to play is Guga Mountain where I was born.
Guga Mountain is a land of extremes. In winter, when the temperature reaches minus 40
degrees Celsius, the snowcapped mountain beckons me to descend its slopes. When it is too cold,
I quake and quiver. In summer, the temperature reaches 50 degrees Celsius. It is so hot and often
I do not have enough water to drink. Guga Mountain is 2555 metres high. I am never hungry for
the Guga Mountain has a lot of prey for me to catch and eat.
Humans also appear to hunt for animals. Humans are my worst enemies. Only when my Aunt
and Uncle got killed for their skins, I then realised that humans are dangerous. One day, when the
sun was scorching down on me and the sky was very clear, I saw a poacher. The poacher wore a
wicked grin and was very tanned. He seemed very tall and huge. When I saw the poacher, I fled.
The next day, I saw the poacher again. When I turned to flee, it was too late, for I felt acute pain
that was intolerable and I collapsed to the ground and fell into a deep slumber.
When I awoke, I found myself in a wooden cage. I realised that I was caught. I was petrified as
I knew that I was going to be killed for my skin like my Uncle and Aunt. I thought about the land
that I knew so well and my family whom I may never see again. I had to think of how I could be
free again. After pacing up and down for a long time, I decided to gnaw on the wood of the cage.
After gnawing on the wood for a long time, I finally made a hole and escaped into the dark and
chilly night. I was relieved that I escaped.
In the howling wind, as I turned to flee, I picked up the scent of the poacher, pounced on him
and ate him ravenously. He tasted different but delicious. I had a good meal.
I learnt that humans are dangerous and I should keep away from them.
