Fiction: Group 3
The Rushing of the River
Yew Chung International School - Secondary, Yuan, Lynn - 11, Fiction: Group 3
swallow soars gracefully across the beautiful morning sky. The birds are singing, the sky a crystal
blue. It lands on a nearby willow tree, showing off its beautiful plumage. The Pearl River is alive as
ever, water rushing on top of the rocks. Small fishing boats drifted on the river. The swallow turns
its attention to the nearby village. The people have already started their day. Some were in the fields, taking
care of the plants. Others were in their houses, preparing breakfast. In one particular house, a young girl, no
more than 12 years old, handed a bowl of medicine to her ill father.
“Drink this, father. It will make you feel better.”
“Thank you, Rei.” Rei’s father smiled weakly. His milky brown eyes stared up to hers.
Rei had been up all night boiling the medicine. The shaman of the village, a young man in his
thirties, had suggested making the medicine two times a week, but the medicine only seemed to make her
father worse.
Tonight
, she decided,
I will go visit the elders of the tribe.
After she fed her father the medicine and fixed herself breakfast, she went by the stream to wash
her face. She always liked to listen to the rushing of the river. Sometimes, it’s fast and alive while other times
it’s gradual and calm. She bent down and stared at her reflection. Bags rested underneath her deep brown
eyes. Her usually sleek and wavy ash brown hair was matted and scraggly. She cupped some water with her
hands and brought it up to her face. She then wiped her face with her sleeve and went to work in the fields.
Around noon, Rei went to check on her father. She opened the door to the house and tiptoed
inside. She saw her father lying on his bed, looking as pale as ever. Her father sighed as Rei sat down on a
chair by her father’s bed.
“How are you, father?” She asked worriedly.
“Sick, and I guess quite green.” His father chuckled.
A moment of silence occurred.
“You should probably be going, now. Lunch is almost over.” Rei’s father told her.
“I guess. Well, I’ll see you later.” Rei said as she gathered her things and walked outside.
“Wait,” Rei turned around. “I just wanted to say,” Her father stammered “That your mother
would’ve been proud.” Rei was surprised. Her father never liked mentioning Mingli, who was her mother.
Mingli, just after Rei was born, had headed into the mountains to collect some berries and disappeared.
“Th-Thanks.” She said lamely, and quickly walked outside.
Rei worked under the afternoon sun. Her friend Lin chatted with her while they worked. Before
she knew it, it was time to go home.
“See you tomorrow.” Rei waved.
“See you!” Lin replied.
A
