The Mighty Great Wall
Eleanor Cheung Hay Ching, 8, Group 1: Non-Fiction, Marymount Primary School
am the mighty Great Wall of China; I have been its guardian for thousands of years. My body stretches
across China from Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west. I look like a giant dragon twisting and
winding along over 5,000 km of mountain ridges. I am the longest man-made construction on the Earth. I
pass through hillcrests touching the sky where only eagles can soar. The unswerving determination of
Chinese people in constructing me under harsh environment without the aid of advanced technology made
me one of the World Wonders.
I am the long-lived Great Wall. Born in the Spring and Autumn Period, I have witnessed the rises and
falls of dynasties. In ancient times, Chinese used my body as barricade to guard against northern tribes. Qin Shi
Huang ordered slaves and criminals to connect my scattered bodies and to build new parts. The builders used
their bare hands to build my body with stones, rammed earth and even human bones together with their sweats
and blood. A lot of them died during construction and I felt sorry for their miserable life.
“A thousand may die so that a million may live.” ~Qin Shi Huang
I am the Great Wall of peace and trade. In the Han Dynasty, Princess Wang Zhaojun, dressed in red
holding a pipa in her arm, passed through me on her way to marry into the Xiongnu royal court. This brought 60
years of peace to China. Silk Road Trade flourished during the peaceful years and I was further extended to
Gobi Desert to protect traders from roving bandit. Under my guardianship, China reached its heightened
prosperity in the Tang Dynasty. Northern barbarians had to pay tributes to the Chinese emperors.
I am the Great Wall of perseverance. In the history of China, I did fail many times to prevent invasions.
I saw many wars and bloodsheds that really broke my heart. But every time Chinese people fell down, I saw
them standing up again and building an even stronger China. Chinese people nowadays consider me a symbol of
national pride, unity and perseverance.
“You’re not a real man if you haven’t climbed the Great Wall.”
~ Chairman Mao Zedong.
I am now a Great Wall of international friendship. National leaders and tourists visit me. In 1972,
President Nixon made a historical visit to China which ended 25 years of separation between China and the
United States. In 1987, I was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2008, Olympics cyclists finished their
race on me.
Today, I play a different role. I am no longer a wall blocking foreigners but a bridge connecting the
Chinese and foreigners. Everyday, I attract and welcome many foreign visitors.
The Chinese believes the Great Wall will never fall. I will continue standing at my place to protect
China and witness its growth as I was in the beginning, am now, and ever shall be.
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