Fiction: Group 2
New Tales of the Pearl River Delta
Korean International School, Lee, Jurie - 11, Fiction: Group 2
ei Ling was assembling the pen pieces in the factory like every single girl was. Mei Ling is a 19
year old girl who came from a little village in China called ‘Hunan’. She has been working in a
pen factory in Guangzhou since she was 16 years old. She had waist long black hair and black
eyes. She worked really hard for her family so she had a lot of money for Chinese New Year. She was going
to quit her work and go back to the countryside to meet the mother that she hasn’t seen for two years.
‘I can’t wait to go back home for Chinese New Year,’ Mei Ling said to the girl beside her. ‘I am so
excited!’
The girl smiled and replied, ‘Me too, all my relatives are coming to celebrate!’ Mei Ling just
couldn’t wait. There were only 3 days left until Chinese New Year and she was going to leave for home
tomorrow morning. Going back to the countryside consists of walking for a whole day until the bus stop
and taking the bus for a day which meant it would already be Chinese New Year when she reached home.
Mei Ling quickly finished her work and went to the flat that she rented.
‘I’ll have to quickly pack my bag and get a good night’s rest,’ Mei Ling thought as she opened the
door. ‘I’ll be walking the whole day tomorrow.’ Mei Ling packed all her belongings neatly and went to bed
9 o’clock sharp.
The next day she woke up at 6 o’clock and started to travel for the bus at 7 o’clock. She knew that
it will take a long time to get to the bus stop so she brought a lot of water and snacks.
‘Excuse me, but why are there so many people?’ Mei Ling asked the man beside her. ‘Why are so
many people trying to go to the countryside?’
‘Well, it’s because it’s Chinese New Year, of course,’ replied the man patiently. ‘Everyone is trying
to see their families.’
After a long day of walking Mei Ling finally reached the bus stop. She paid the fare and took a seat
at the corner. She was trying to doze off but she heard some people arguing. Slowly she opened her eye.
‘What do you mean I can’t get on the bus,’ shouted a man angrily at the conductor. ‘I’ve been
walking for hours like everyone!’
‘I’m sorry sir, but you need to pay for the fare,’ reasoned the conductor. ‘I’m afraid that I won’t let
you in unless you pay for the fare.’ Mei Ling watched the fight of the conductor and the man like all the
other passengers were. Finally the bus took off. At night, Mei Ling watched the stars as it got brighter and
brighter. As the bus got closer to the countryside the air got fresher and cleaner. The last thing Mei Ling saw
as she closed her eyes was the bright moon staring back at her.
The next day Mei Ling saw the green grass and the paddyfields. She smiled as she saw the little
village that she called home come in to view. When the bus stopped and opened she burst out of the doors
to greet the smell of freshly baked bread. She ran in to her mom’s bakery and found her mom with a cake in
her hands that said, ‘Welcome Home!!!’ Then she spread her arms wide for her mom to embrace her in a
hug.
M
