Jelly and the Desert Hunters
St Margaret’s Co-educational English Secondary and Primary School, Kwok Hiu Tsun,
Fiction: Group 1
T
he Gobi Desert is a “mystery” for most people. I reckon you haven’t been to this big, cold
desert in China and Mongolia, have you? My name is Jelly the Jerboa. Although I am
one of the smallest animals in the desert, I am an excellent hopper and a quick runner.
And I have a few good friends living around me.
One day in January, a group of Russian hunters arrived. They put up a yurt on the sand to
store their supplies. “People like to keep extraordinary pets nowadays so we must catch four
jerboas for a pet shop,” said one of them. “I hope we can finish in a week. We don’t have too much
water and food with us or our luggage would be too heavy...”
It seemed they did not do any research before coming. They had no idea that jerboas have
outstanding hearing and I heard every word clearly. I was so frightened! I knew I must run back
home to warn my relatives and friends immediately. We could not become their prey!
I held an urgent meeting at home. “We must fight together!” shouted the Snow Leopard. “We
needed to tell the humans that they should respect every animal on earth! Many of our friends
are in danger of extinction already.” “They are not familiar with the Gobi Desert and its climate.
It is our advantage.” All of us got ready to take action at any time.
The hunters did actually know we are nocturnal. My little brother forgot our warning and
went out by himself that night. “A jerboa!” shouted an overjoyed hunter. With their night vision
glasses, the hunters caught him with a net easily and put him in a plastic bag. Just then, all of my
friends ran out together. The Snow Leopard roared loudly and the Ibex used his huge curved horn
to punch the hunters. Even our typical enemy, the Golden Eagle, also came to rescue my brother!
She understood all animals must stand together against the people. We were not going to hurt
them but just wanted them to leave us and the Gobi Desert in peace.
Suddenly, a strong wind changed the land’s shape. The hunters felt terrified. They were lost in
this enormous sandy land. They had no idea where their yurt was located. After discussing for a
while, the camel family was willing to guide them back to the yurt. The hunters realised that we
were friendly. They felt sorry for what they did to us. They decided to set my brother free. Not all
human beings were horrible and wicked after all!
“We will stop the pet shop owners from selling endangered species when we are home,” said
a hunter, “and pass on the message that we should live with the animals in harmony.” Although
I knew a human being would never understand what I said, I hopped up to his shoulder and
whispered “thank you” softly beside his ear.
