Fiction: Group 2
The Pirate of the Pearl River Delta
Shatin Junior School, Liu, Marjovie - 11, Fiction: Group 2
heung Po Tsai hid inside the dark cave, day after day, year after year. He couldn’t stand it, he just
couldn’t.
“Aye, Aye, Captain Cheng Yi,” bellowed 16-year-old Cheung as his adopted mother Ching
Shih stroke him lovingly on his dark, messy hair. It was one year since he has last seen his real fishermen
parents. Sadly, they passed away because of smallpox, a disease that acted like fire on a windy day. Luckily,
Cheng Po Tsai was kindly adopted by Cheng Yi and his wife, Ching Shih. “Ma, can you tell me the story
of the poor man again?” he asked.
“Sure, if you promise not to raid the next-door-pirates again.” She grinned.
“Fine. Pinkie promise.” He couldn’t resist laughing as he hugged his foster mum.
10 years later…
Cheung Po Tsai was now left with nothing but his adopted parents’ fortune. But right now, all he needed
was care. He was going through such a hard time. A time when nobody cared for him. A time when
nobody smiled at him. A time when all he cared about was stealing. He has everything he needs and enough
money to live a happy life, but he had to steal. To make him feel more, well, pirate-ish. And more secure.
It was on a warm winter day when the Lees’ caught him red-handed.
“Ah-Ma!” yelled a young girl with two long thin braids, pointing out of the window.
“What’s wrong, Yin Tse?” asked a wise elderly woman, who was the girl’s grandma.
“There’s this man with beads in his hair, he got your blue teapot!”
“Why didn’t you stop him?” Ah-Ma scurried after the thief. Ah-Ma ran as swift as the wind, even though
she was in her early seventies. Cheung tripped over a run-away chicken and laid flat on the floor, jewels
and historical items rolled over the solid ground. The people around clapped and the owner of the chicken
dashed after the thief-catcher. Ah-Ma scooted over to the thief and gathered everything into an old rice
bag and dusted her hands.
“I’ll take that.” Ah-Ma snatched the teapot from his hands, “Explanation?”
“No, please, I didn’t mean to steal it. Please, I am innocent.” Pleaded Cheung
“Follow me, young man!” grunted Ah-Ma. “Don’t get into more trouble than you already are in. I’ll have
a little TALK with you.” Cheung had no choice but to tag along with the old woman. Since Ah-Ma was as
wise as a tree, she forgave him.
But that didn’t stop Cheung from robbing. He didn’t stop until the military had a wild chase after him. Of
course, he hid in his mighty ship, and some day will the army stop looking for him.
Disaster struck as Cheung was in his trusty voyage. All ships were pulled to shore, except for the Cheung Po
Tsai Boat. Sirens were wailing and people were shouting.
“Oh no,” Cheung muttered, “Keep calm and go fishing for food.” It was too late, the typhoon whirled
across the port of Pearl River and the ship blew onto a distant island on the coast of Hong Kong. Waves
were crashing, rain drizzled heavily and hail came. While Cheung was steering the wheel, a heavy block of
ice dropped onto his head. Cheung fell, and slowly closed his eyes. He fainted.
Cheung’s long eyelashes batted against the wood on the deck of the voyage. The sun shined into his eyes
and blinded his vision. He pushed himself up and rubbed his eyes. He was in the middle of nowhere he
knew. A heavy breeze swept the ship to a rather large cave that was made of rocks.
“We know you’re here, so show yourself!” announced a strong voice.
“Yeah, show yourself!” boasted a slightly younger voice.
“Shut up Chen, you too, Chai! You could’ve got him if you sneak up on him.” An angry voice snapped.
Cheung knew the military was looking for him, so he hopped into the stone cave. His wide arms pushed
away a rock at a time.
This cave looks like a maze of rocks!
Cheung thought. He soon grew tired and curled
up onto a smooth stone.
“What?” grumbled General Zhen, “you let him loose? Who did this?”
“Us,” weeps Chai and Chen. “We, kind off, were too loud.”
C
