Fiction: Group 2
Orpheus's Journey in the Pearl River Delta
Marymount Primary School, Cheung, Eleanor - 10, Fiction: Group 2
he story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a famous Greek myth. The tragic ending has broken the hearts
of many readers. Orpheus lost his beloved wife at last because he was impatient to see Eurydice and
he gradually lost his faith that Eurydice followed him to the world of living. He failed his promise
to Hades and made the infamous look-back. The lament lies not only in Eurydice’s death, but also the loss
of patience, faith and promise in the most critical moment.
Like other legends, there is another version of ending for this story and it happens in the Pearl River Delta.
After losing Eurydice, Orpheus walked in agony through the eerie dark tunnel back to earth. Suddenly, he
heard Apollo’s voice, “My son, it is really a pity. You are so close to bring Eurydice back to life. But you
failed to demonstrate the virtues of Gods: patience, faith and promise, and so you lost her.” Orpheus
earnestly begged Apollo to give him a second chance by singing mourning songs with his lyre.
Orpheus’s melodies melted Apollo’s heart and Apollo said, “With my mighty power I give you a second
chance. I am going to send you to a place called Pearl River Delta and you have to demonstrate those
virtues by conquering three challenges.”
Bewildered by Apollo’s words, Orpheus asked “Why Pearl River Delta?” Apollo replied, “Pearls are formed
when dewdrops filled with Moonlight fall into the ocean and are swallowed by pearl oysters. They are
symbols of love. The place that I am sending you is full of blessings. Immerse yourself for harsh training
there to perfect yourself. You will be rewarded with a blissful marital life.”
Orpheus continued walking along the tunnel and shortly afterwards he came to a dead-end with a manhole
lid in the ceiling. He pushed up the lid and got out of the hole, leaving his lyre in the underworld. Orpheus
then found himself in the middle of a busy road. He saw cars passing by and drivers yelling at him. Looking
at the signpost, Orpheus realized he was in the most vibrant city of Pearl River Delta called Hong Kong.
After the long journey, Orpheus felt terribly hungry. Without a single penny, he entered into a restaurant
and begged the owner to give him food. Orpheus promised to work for the owner in return. The owner
gave Orpheus scrumptious dim-sums and Orpheus gobbled them up and praised these were the most
delicious food on earth. The owner grinned, “It’s time for you to honor your promise. Come and help me
to make dim-sum.”
Working in the kitchen was hard and tedious for Orpheus as he had never labored before.
Recalling his previous breach of promise, Orpheus worked diligently and kept reminding himself, “A
promise is a promise!” Many months have passed and Orpheus became a great dim-sum chef. One day, the
restaurant owner revealed himself to be Hermes, the Messenger God, sent by Apollo to test Orpheus.
Hermes asked Orpheus to go for another challenge. He gave Orpheus his winged-sandals and off Orpheus
flew to Guangzhou.
Orpheus landed in the Chimelong Circus, he was amazed to see donkeys swinging trapeze, elephants
walking on tightrope and lions jugging balls in the circus. All the animals followed instructions from a tamer.
The tamer came to Orpheus and asked him to try taming tigers. Orpheus felt frightened and said, “How can
I do it? I can’t make magic without my lyre.” The tamer replied, “Believe in yourself and have faith. You
just lean out your hand to touch the tigers. They won’t bite you if your hands don’t shiver.” For the first
few minutes, Orpheus did not even dare to get close to the tigers. The tamer then told Orpheus, “Be
faithful to yourself and your loved one.” Orpheus kept trying months after months. One day he succeeded
and the tigers followed his instructions. The tamer revealed to Orpheus that she was Circe, the Goddess of
Magic, sent by Apollo to test Orpheus. Circe asked Orpheus to go for the final challenge. She gave him
some potion and Orpheus disappeared.
When Orpheus stood on the ground again, he found himself inside the Venetian Hotel in Macau. He saw a
canal with gondolas filled with visitors taking gondola rides. A man approached Orpheus and said, “Hey! I
am the hotel manager. Are you the new gondolier? Do you see the gondola over there? Go and pick that
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