Angela Zhu
Seidman
English 10H
May 20th, 2013
The Little Red Guard
My father handed me his favorite lotus shaped pin-cushion that he had kept with him ever since he was a child. He knew what I was planning to do after he saw me cut off my two long braids and pack my luggage. It is said that a normal teenage girl snips off her long hair after leaving a man. We both knew that I wouldn’t be coming back, so he gave me the pincushion as a good luck charm in my journey. I wore a tailored cerulean blue jacket with silver buttons on the cuffs. I had made this jacket myself, with the finest of silk. My happy life in the village was thanks to my father and my friends. When the first beams of sunlight broke through, it was time for me to leave the village. I hugged my father when I was about to exit the doorway. I felt a teardrop on my face, and to no surprise, he had started to cry. We both knew that is was my time to explore the city and say our goodbyes.
“Father, I will write to you as soon as I arrive,” I said as I picked up my belongings.
My father simply responded with a smile; in that smile I could sense all of the pain that he was hiding from me. I told him to think of it as a temporary goodbye. I ran down the path to the road as fast as I could, without turning back. I could hear my father’s feint crying from the distance as I ran off.
“Little Seamstress!” I heard a familiar voice shout as I was slowing down towards the main street.
I turn around and see Luo, drenched in sweat and covered with dirt. His feet were cut up from thorns and twigs, his hands had several scratches on them, and his face was a pale orchid pink. He reached for me with his sweaty hands and started to gasp.
“Where are you going?” He asked, barely able to catch his breath.
“I’m going to the city. I realized that I have a natural treasure beyond price and a world to explore,” I responded with grace and poise.
“What treasure is that? More importantly, what are...