Fiction: Group 3
downstream as he whimpered in fear and guilt. He should have gone home as quickly as possible, but it was
now too late.
The poor boy cried until his eyes became dry and red. His clothes were damaged and the filthy water
stuck to him as if it were a second skin. As he got carried into the river further, the water got more rapid
and pulled harder at his tree trunk legs. Chang’s grip slipped, causing him to panic in despair as he fell in the
water. As he flailed his arms in the gunk, he did not notice the big piece of debris coming at him. It
smacked into Chang’s chubby face and knocked him out unconscious. A throb of pain filled the Chinese
boy’s head as a faint ringing sound filled his ears. Then his eyes malfunctioned and all he saw was darkness
while his body continued down the river as he faced the sky.
“Wake up little boy, you are safe now.” Said a stranger comfortingly. Chang lay lifelessly on the metal
deck of a patrol ship. The boy had gone through so much and his face was pale and sickly. The stranger was
a Guang Dong marine and blew air into his mouth. Luckily and abruptly, Chang sprang to life as polluted
water poured out of his mouth.
“Where am I, and who are you?” Chang said hoarsely
“You’re on a police boat. I am Lam and I will take you to safety. We found you unconscious floating
on the Pear River. You’re lucky to have survived this.” The stranger known as Lam answered.
Chang did not know how to react to this. He was hundreds of miles from home while his family was
guaranteed dead, however he had survived and had made his way to the famous city. He broke down and
started crying tears of joy and sadness. Lam comforted him and asked Chang where he would like to go.
Lam told him that upstream, there was an ashen city named Guang Zhou with many tall pipes which
released pollution into the air. There were many factories producing all sorts of, cars, toys and electronics.
However it was not a very cheerful place, since there was a lot of pollution. But on the other hand, there
was a glamorous city downstream with flashing lights and busy people, bustling around in their fancy cars.
Even their happiness could be seen through the steamy and salty air of the river. That was Hong Kong, a
metropolis full of happy people who lived their lives like nobles.
It was obvious which place Chang would like to go to and inferred that he would rather go to place
with happier people. Chang told Lam that he would rather go to Hong Kong, so Lam shrewdly
commandeered the boat.
It felt like thousands of years since the boat was slow, but Chang finally found himself in the magical
place. It consisted of tall buildings and humid weather. In the village, his house was the biggest of them all,
however compared to the colossal titans in Hong Kong, it was nothing.
The streets were new and bustling with people. His stomach growled as he prowled the streets, looking
for something to eat. He saw a lively traditional noodle stall which smelled if fish balls and decided to eat
there as he ambled over determinedly with the last of his strength. As he arrived, Chang vacillated a bowl of
soup, so the shopkeeper asked kindly for him to pay. He reached into his wet pockets, but all he got was a
handful of air. Tears welled in Chang’s eyes as the shopkeeper gave him an understanding smile and a hot
bowl of soup, which helped bolster his mood. He comforted Chang and asked him what had happened.
Chang sniffed and explained himself and the kind Samaritan listened, sympathetically and said,” I’m so sorry,
but you are here now. This is Hong Kong and it will be your new home.”
The middle aged shopkeeper adopted Chang as they quickly engendered a close relationship. At last,
the boy was safe in the hands of the shopkeeper, an epitomize of a good Samaritan, affirming again that he
would raise Chang like his own son.
