The Saviour
Victoria Shanghai Academy, Lauren Ing, Fiction: Group 1
L
ong ago, there lived a farmer called Chi. Chi had three sons and out of those three,
Hu-Hang was the eldest. He was also the bravest, kindest and cleverest son. Hu-Hang’s
mother had died when he was five. Chi loved his sons immensely but he was troubled by
one major problem. It was that living close to the Gobi Desert meant that he had to watch
it expand further into his grazing land each year.
“Oh my son, how am I ever going to provide for this family if goats keep dying because they
get less to eat every year?” said Chi worriedly to Hu-Hang. Hu-Hang thought for a while and said
“Father, I could visit the Gobi and look for the dinosaur eggs that Grandfather spoke about. Then
we could sell them to buy new land.”
Hu-Hang’s grandfather had told him about finding dinosaur eggs where the Gobi met the
start of the Himalayas. Hu-Hang set off with his favourite goat, Snowy, so he would have milk to
quench his thirst. After many days of walking, they were exhausted and collapsed.
Without warning, a sandstorm blew up around them like a huge yellow wave. Hu-Hang and
Snowy were tossed into the air. They were blown a great distance and when Hu-Hang opened his
eyes he saw the dark grey peaks of the Himalayas ahead. There was a sudden flash of light and
the spirit of the Gobi Desert appeared. “Can I help you?” she said gently. Hu-Hang fell back in
horror.
“I-I am looking for dinosaur eggs so that my father can sell them and buy new grazing land
because the Gobi takes more of it every year.” stuttered Hu-Hang. The spirit replied, “Young
man, you don’t have to look for dinosaur eggs. It is more important to make sure that people keep
planting trees because the trees will stop the desert expanding.” As she started to fade, she stopped,
smiled and held out a giant green egg to Hu-Hang. “Actually, this might help you.” she said.
Hu-Hang and Snowy watched, amazed, as the egg hatched into a baby Pterodactyl! “Wow, I
had no idea that the eggs would hatch. Snowy, would you mind if the baby dinosaur drank some
of your milk?” asked Hu-Hang excitedly. Snowy nodded approvingly.
The baby dinosaur grew and strengthened quickly with the nutritious milk and was able to fly
Hu-Hang and Snowy around the Gobi to remind people to keep planting trees. The people were so
frightened of the fierce looking dinosaur that they obeyed Hu-Hang’s command, and soon there
was plenty of grazing land for all the Gobi farmers.
Hu-Hang, Snowy and the dinosaur returned home. “Father, I’m back! This is the dinosaur that
saved our land.” said Hu-Hang proudly. His father was so grateful that he told everyone about
his son’s actions. News spreads like wildfire and Hu-Hang was remembered as the saviour of the
farmers who lived around the Gobi Desert.
