Fiction: Group 2
New Tales of the Pearl River Delta
Kennedy School, Lee, Claire - 9, Fiction: Group 2
he air quality level is very unhealthy today. Children, elderly or people with respiratory
problems are advised to stay indoors . . ." the weather forecaster reported on the TV.
Yan was in a rush to school as she woke up late. She didn't sleep well last night due to her asthma. "It will
be another hazed day. Mum will not allow me to play with Ming at the playground." Yan thought with a
long sigh.
Yan was 9 years old and went to a primary school in the nearby. Her father owned a garment factory in
Dongguan city where she was born. Granny said Dongguan used to be a small village with greenery scenic
at the Pearl River Delta. People were farmers and fishermen when Granny was young. Now this city is full
of big and small factories, people are mostly workers.
On her way to school, Yan nearly stepped on something glittery. She could hardly hear moaning from the
ground. When she looked down, a Barbie doll was lying over there. Out of curiosity, Yan took a closer
view. It was really a Barbie doll. An old and dirty Barbie doll with its eyes closing, brown wavy hair,
violet dress and blue lace shoes. But this one was with a pair of wings on its back and one of them was
broken. Yan found it was breathing, and suddenly, the Barbie doll opened its eyes and talked to Yan.
"Help, please help me . . . I was attacked by Miraut, the evil giant creature in the river," the doll shivered
then continued. "I need the Magic Pearl to heal myself, please help me get back the Pearl..." Yan was very
shocked and rejected, "No! You are a stranger, why shall I help you?" The doll explained patiently, "I am
Padmava, the fairy of the Pearl River. The Magic Pearl is the spring for all living things in the River. It is
very powerful. It will heal me and everything. However, Miraut has kept it for himself as he wants to
control the river and later the world." Yan stopped Padmava and said, "I'm only a primary student, how can
I help you? Also, our Pearl River is just a small river in the world, it doesn't matter at all." "You are not
correct. Even a small river is vital to our eco system. You are a little girl, but if you are determined to help
me, you will help the whole world too. Since Miraut has kept the Magic Pearl, the weather will become
abnormal. There will be hail stone coming soon." In her very weak voice, Padmava fainted. She must be
seriously injured and needed medical treatment, thought Yan. Though she was not convinced, she still
picked up Padmava and put her in the school bag.
By noon time, everyone was dismissed from school early due to a strong hail stone storm without any signal.
Yan started to think about what Padmava had said. Suddenly, Padmava awoke and said, "Hail stone and
abnormal weather will come soon. We must take back the Magic Pearl from Miraut s as soon as possible."
Although Yan not truly trusted Padmava, to some reasons, she decided to help Padmava.
They arrived at a dark cave. Padmava held Yan's hand and sprinkled fairy dust to her. Her body shrunk as
small as Padmava, then a pair of wings blasted out. She was also a fairy now! Then they came to riverside
and Padmava led her to dive into the water. Yan was scared. Padmava smiled and said, "You are a fairy
now. You can breathe and even dive into the water, don't worry."
When they dived into the Pearl River, it was very foggy and full of rubbish --- plastic bottles, bags and a
lot a lot. Yan was surprised and remembered the news reports always said that pollution was serious around
Dongguan. With the fairy shining dust of their bodies, they managed to dive deeper and deeper in the
foggy water. Suddenly, Padmava grabbed Yan and wanted to hide somewhere. But too late. A gigantic
tentacle slapped Yan and grabbed her leg. "What are you doing here in my territory?" a thunder voice
asked Yan. When Yan turned around, a huge octopus like creature was just behind her. It was dark grey, a
gigantic head, with 3 eyes popping out and 12 long tentacles. Yan was so stunned and just stuck there.
Padmava came back and tried to use her magic to fight back. But she was too weak after injured. Miraut
even hit and slapped Padmava and pulled her waist.
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