The Jade Elephants

By Sarah Jinadu, age 12 

The clock struck 12 on a humid afternoon Meilin sat fixated in her garden it was a cluster of violets and lavenders, her train of thought was disrupted when Aunt Mingxiacalled out to her. 

Meilin hair raven hair cascaded down her back tied in a puffy braid, she owned a frail figure with long arms. Her face was heavily freckled which accentuated her pale skin.

“Ke ai, there are you why aren’t dressed it’s your birthday sweetheart,” Aunt Mingxiayelled out. Aunt Mingxia was a true beauty: a young slender woman with bright brown eyes and a bubbly personality her most attention-grabbing feature was a small mole situated under her left cheek. 

“I’m really not interested, thanks though,” replied Meilin she removed her glance from her aunt and onto the vast collections of flowers. 

“Hey I understand that you may not be as you parents gave you up to me, but why must you be so disrespectful you will get dress or else!” Aunt Mingxia screamed rubbing her mole as she spoke. 

Meilin didn’t utter a word but quickly paced to her room.                              

She knew that she was unwanted but Aunt rubbing into her face made her emotion reach new heights. Even though she was melancholy she stuck her chin up and got dressed in a floral gown then went down to her living room. There waiting her were a group of a family at least the ones that accepted her.                                                

Ke ai, we all knew you were a beauty from the way Mingxia described you but your looks are too much,” said Meilin’s grandmother with a wide smile.                                                                                            

“Your skin is so pale and your hair is so long, you take after your mother-,” Aunt Zhao squealed without thinking.  

Zhao was a stubby woman with stiff hair that touched her shoulders she wasn’t sharpest tool in the box but she was quite caring and loved Meilin             

The room went deadly silent in that moment to lights seemed to dim and shine a light on poor Zhao. 

 

Aunt Mingxia took Zhao out the room than Meilin got overloaded with presents all that varied in size. Meilin was overwhelmed with joy and guilt -she hated these people yet they swamp her gifts she sneaked away from the party; sat on her bed clutching her fuzzy sheets to her chest and glanced into the mirror. She stared at herself was this what she wanted? Was she too harsh on her aunt or was it deserved? Her aunt was just using her right? But even if she liked her aunt a little bit was this betraying her father?

Her questions were disrupted by a knock onher door

“Ke ai, it’s me,” Aunt Zhao whispered she seemed to have tears in her eyes.                                                                         

“Come in Auntie,” Meilin said weakly.

“Hey there why are you up here,” said Aunt Zhao                                           

“I don’t know,” said Meilin                                                                                    

“I understand you may be confused with what happened with your parents and what’s happening know but we understand it may be really hard to deal with but you can always reside in us for anything ok,” mumbled Aunt Zhao                                                            

Meilin nodded and gave a weak smile.

“I’ll leave you but here a gift from me,” said Aunt Zhao handing her a small green box than left the room.                                                         

Meilin laid the box on her bed and reached for the lid to open it. As she held the lid within her palms, a sudden golden flash radiatedthrough the room.

 

In shock Meilin closed the box and rushed out the room. She scurried the living room as she walked to arch way; than stuck her head in all that could be heard was screaming. The music was cut

“I told you to dispose of the Meilin ages ago Ming!” Min screamed with a brooding glare.

 

 “She isn’t some object Min, just because she is a result of your mistake doesn’t mean she is one!” yelled Aunt Mingxia placing her hands on her hips

“You didn’t have to have to raise her for 13 years of your life draining your money!” replied Min

“Fine if you feel that strongly you dispose of her!” Mingxia yelled back.

“With pleasure, Ming,” said Min

 

Min was a lanky girl with curly hair that was packed into a loose ponytail; her voice was deep voice that could set fear to a king.

Meilin peered from the arch tears rolling down her face in that moment no words could leave Meilin’s mouth so she hurried back to her bedroom. As she opened the door, a sudden flash erupts from the room pulling her in. Meilin landed on the floor in a bewildered spell with a solid figure patting her back.

“Hey it’s okay don’t Min is a terrible woman she should be ashamed to be your mother,” acolossal being with a sharp soprano voice uttered.

“Who are you-.” Meilin said turning her head.

The figure that appeared in front of her was 2 massive elephant that seemed to be carved of jade yet fully flexible.

“What are you? Who are you? How do know my name? How do you know that Min was my mother?” Meilin yelped out in a flurry

“We’re afraid we can’t tell you that yet all I can say is that you’re coming to our world,” The 2 elephants squealed in a serious tone.

 

Suddenly a flashing golden light transport Meilin and the elephants into the box Aunt Zhao gave her. Within a second Meilin was transferred to another world.

The sun was starting set revealing a vermillion colour in the sky.

A few houses were in the surrounds but beside them forest were the main surrounds.

“Hello why am I here,” Meilin cried out.

“We needed to be in my own realm for this,” the elephants replied,”

“So are you going to answer my question,” said Meilin annoyed

“We are the spirits of Mount Tai we grant one wish in our life time than turn to pure jade to summon us you say-Mighty elephant carved pure of jade come here now start the parade,” the elephants answered

“Like I genie,” said Meilin,” Okay can I go home now

The elephant didn’t reply and brought her back into her room with a golden flash.

 

Meilin landed on the floor with a crash. Theelephant seemed to have vanished into. Meilin clutched the box is her chest; creeped downstairs. From the arch all her family were there: Xinyang and her mum sat perched on a red couch listening to the fight, Zhao stood in a corner trying to stay away from conflict shaking in fear, Mingxia and Min stood in rooms continuously until Meilin stepped into the room.

“Yea I heard what you guys said and I want you both to me explain what you meant!” yelled Meilin crossing her arms

Mingxia stood silently holding her hand over her mouth; while Min stood proudly with her chin up and said, “We wanted to disposed of, daughter.”

“I am not trying to dispose of you.” Mingxia cried out.

“I heard what you said Aunt,” Meilin replied

Meilin stayed quiet and Min had a wide smirk on her face.

“You know what take this, Mighty elephant carved pure of jade come here now start the parade,” Meilin yelled as loud as she can.

2 large figures covered by pure gold flakes appeared the sound of blaring crumpets the loud cry of the sent shivers down the surrounding people spine.

“What is your wish, Lady Ke ai what is your wish,” The figure queried

“My wish is to-,” Meilin proclaimed.