Cinese+Proverb+Storie

Ming And The Magic Turtle

Ming was only 13 when he started to dream about being in the royal army. Every night he would look out his 1 tiny window in his straw house. He would say, “I wish I was in the royal army.” Then he went to sleep. About 4 years later, at dawn Ming slipped into his overalls and went to work out in his rice fields. At noon he was heading back home for lunch when he came across a baby turtle. She was so small. Ming decided to bring her home. Ming fed the turtle his Grandma’s secret rice recipe. She ate half the bowl. Ming decided to name her Wu-Wu after his Grandma. “Thank you.” Ming stared in awe as the turtle spoke. “That’s amazing! You’re an ordinary turtle and you spoke!” Ming exclaimed. “I am far from ordinary Ming, I am here to help you achieve what you’ve wished.” Wu-Wu responded. “Thank you.” Ming was overjoyed. “We start today.” Wu-Wu announced. Ming nodded, picked up Wu-Wu and put her in the front pocket of his overalls. Ming went back out to the fields and said, “What do we do now?” “We’re going to make you a strong sword. We need to find bamboo for the handle.” Said Wu-Wu. Ming wadded through the flooded fields to reach the bamboo forest. “We need to find a good stem. Said Wu-Wu. Ming held her up to examine each stem. “This one.” Said Wu-Wu looking at a strong, stable shoot. So Ming chopped down the stem and brought it home. He chose the strongest part of the plant and cut it off. “Now,” said Wu-Wu “We must find a rock and sharpen it for the blade.” So Ming and Wu-Wu set off again. This time they went to a small river. Wu-Wu searched in the river and Ming searched the bank. “Found one.” Ming called. Wu-Wu popped her head up from searching. She swam over to him to examine his finding. “That’s a nice long rock,” said Wu-Wu “I’ll find a rock you can sharpen it with.” Wu-Wu returned with a smooth stone in her jaws. Ming thanked her and sharpened the rock all day until it became a blade. Ming scooped up Wu-Wu and headed home. “Now put the blade into the bamboo.” Said Wu-Wu when they returned. Ming carefully inserted it into the bamboo. “That looks good.” Said Wu-Wu. “Tomorrow we leave for Wong City.” Ming nodded, went to his room and went to bed. The next morning Wu-Wu and Ming set off. They reached Wong City around noon. “Now we have to go to the Emperor’s Palace.” Explained Wu-Wu. So they walked to the Palace. There they met guards. “What do you want?” asked one. “I would like to enroll in the royal army.” Answered Ming. “Very well.” The guards took him inside and led him into the Emperor’s throne room. The guards told the Emperor what Ming wanted. “Ming in order to join you must kill this tiger, so far everyone has failed, do you still wish to proceed?” the Emperor asked. Ming nodded and drew out his sword. “Release the beast!” called the Emperor. Suddenly a large tiger appeared. It looked very strong. The tiger launched himself at Ming. Ming took it down in one blow. “You did it!” exclaimed the Emperor. “Guards! Show Ming to his new room.” The guards did as they were told. It was big with a fancy bed and was decorated with paintings and jewels. Ming had only stayed a week and Wu-Wu had fallen sick. Ming took her out for a stroll outside the Palace’s gardens. “Ming,” Wu-Wu whispered. “May you get what you wish for.” And with that the little turtle went limp in his hands.