Fiction: Group 1
The Pearl of Immortality
Po Leung Kuk Choi KaiYau School (Primary), Ng,Valerie - 8, Fiction: Group 1
housands of years ago, the Emperor of Sung Dynasty had a strange dream. It was about a pearl
embedded in the deepest part of a cave. He summoned one of his scholars to interpret his dream.
“Legend has it that there is a cave that resembles the one in your dream. It is on the
outskirts of Guangdong and a pearl of immortality is hidden there, ” replied the scholar.
The Emperor could not contain his excitement any longer. “A pearl of immortality? We are
heading there right away!”The Emperor wanted the pearl because he could live forever if he consumed it.
They travelled all the way from Beijing to Guangdong. They galloped through yards and farms,
over high mountains and rivers. After days and nights, they finally arrived at their destination.They knew that
it was the same cave as the one in the Emperor’s dream.There were strange sounds echoing from within.The
Emperor and the army wanted to enter but there was a tiangou guarding the entrance of the cave.
“What shall we do now, Emperor?” asked a soldier.The Emperor thought for a moment, then said,
“Light up a fire!”The soldiers took some wooden sticks, lit them up and hurled them at the tiangou. All of a
sudden, the tiangou gave out a horrible shriek and backed away. The Emperor led the army into the cave.
While they were walking in the cave, they heard a high pitched voice that sent shivers down their spines.
“Emperor Sung, I don’t think it is a good idea to continue, ” whispered a soldier. “Don’t you dare!”
the Emperor shouted. Suddenly, they saw a dark figure approaching them. The Emperor and the army
retreated slowly to the mouth of the cave.To their horror, the cave’s entrance was closed.They had no option
but to defend themselves.
The army took out their swords and protected the Emperor. The dark figure came closer. “How
dare you enter my cave knowing that there is nothing but danger!” The dark figure roared. The Emperor
stammered, “I know about the Pearl of Immortality. I am Emperor Sung and I want to rule the world
forever!”
The dark figure stepped closer, only to reveal its fearful appearance - a dragon! “So, you want to be
immortal?” roared the dragon more ferociously this time. “I don’t understand why humans own everything,
yet have infinite greed? Aren’t you already grateful for what you have?”The Emperor replied, “No! Where is
the pearl?”The dragon laughed,“There is no such thing as The Pearl of Immortality. It’s just a figment of your
imagination!”The Emperor realized that his greed had led to his destruction. All at once, the dragon gave out
a puff of fire.The Emperor and his army were burnt to ashes.
Until today, the death of the Emperor remains a myth.
T
