Fiction: Group 2
New Tales From the Pearl River Delta
Glenealy School, DeBlank, Anjeli - 10, Fiction: Group 2
y name is Wanderer and I was born in a factory. I always wondered why I was called this but
never got the chance to ask. My mother died soon after I was born and my father had left us.
The only memory I had left of them was a chain with their pictures on it. I was taken in and
homed by a kind lady named Xiang. We lived in a small village in the Pearl River Delta. The factory I was
born in was called
珍珠
产业
(Zhen Zhu Chan Ye), which meant Pearl Industries. Xiang didn’t have
enough money to educate me so most of the time I just stayed home and helped with household chores.
The years went by and I am now a boy of 12 years old. Every boy when they turn 12 must get a job in the
factories or find work. Of course I chose to work at the Pearl Industries. I got the job and was really looking
forward to my first day but deep inside I didn’t want to leave the comfort of my home, the safe
environment and my dear Xiang.
The light through the window shone brightly on my face. Today was my first day at work. I cleaned up
then ate some mouldy bread from the cupboard for breakfast. I walked to the factory alone and got lost a
few times. When I finally arrived at the factory I was greeted by a friendly looking man but I was wrong.
He shouted at me saying “Why are you late!” I muttered that I got lost but he didn’t care. Then the man
shouted “Kahn, help this new boy”. A tall man with brown shaggy hair came up to me. He smiled and
gestured to me to follow him. We went through the factory till we reached the very back. “This is what we
call the art center. We make paintings, vases and pots.” Kahn said. He showed me what was already made
and it was all so beautiful. Tapestries and paintings hung on the walls and blue china vases filled the room
floor. I asked if Kahn could show me how to make a tapestry, and he happily agreed. There was a loom in
the corner and we sat down next to it. He guided me through all the steps. I was eager to give it a go but
failed miserably. I didn’t want to give up so I kept trying and at last succeeded but was not able to finish in
time as the sun was starting to set. I finished up and slowly walked back home exhausted.
The next day I continued my tapestry and finished it. It was small but bright and colourful. Later, Khan
taught me pottery. It was pretty messy but I loved the feeling of clay in my hands and most of all painting
the pots. After lunch I decided to explore the tapestries. They were all unique. There was one with a dragon
on it and another with a majestic eagle. Then one caught my eye. It was one of a boy and his father in front
of a temple. The strange thing was the boy looked exactly like me! The face of the father had faded and
couldn’t be seen. I put the tapestry in my bag and took it home. I asked Xiang where the temple was and
she said it was the next village. I wanted to visit as something inside told me that the faded face could be my
father’s. That night I packed a bag with some bread and the tapestry. I crept outside and started to walk to
the next village. It was a long road and my worn out feet needed rest. I sat down and drifted to sleep.
In the morning I woke and saw a truck passing by. I stuck out my hand and asked for a ride to the next
village and he helped me hop into the back of the truck. I took out a piece of bread, settled down and
enjoyed the breath-taking views and somehow missed home.
I woke to the sound of people shouting and foul smells. I soon realized I was in a market. Still having hope,
I started asking the people passing by where the temple was. I followed the directions and walked up the
road then met a fork point. I looked at one point then the other. In the distance I could see the temple and
ran as fast as I could to it. I slowed down and stopped. In front of me was the stunning temple.
It was a replica of the temple in the tapestry. I walked up to the temple, my body trembling. I was cold,
tired and hungry. I sat down and started to pray. I looked at my chain and at the picture of my father. I held
it close to my heart and began to cry. As I looked up I saw a man looking down at me. His face resembled
the face of my father. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was this my father? What is he doing here? So many
questions flooded my mind and I felt dizzy. I showed him my chain and asked if he was my father. Then he
started to cry. “You look exactly like your brother”. He took me into his arms and hugged me tightly. I told
him how much I missed him and asked why he left. He said, “I never wanted to leave but had no choice.
Your brother was caught stealing. He used to take goods from the factories and sell them himself for money.
The government took him away and I went to help but it was too late. They had already…” he stopped. I
M
