nanjing
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My friends were impatient to continue and started walking back. But I hesitated because a loud splashing sound was filling the air. After some searching, I discovered an enormous waterfall connecting to the river. Water was pouring from a cliff, rushing between the rocks, and then it splashed with white foam into the pool. I took deep breaths, the cool air refreshed me. I sat on the soft grass and painted this lively waterfall, listening to it, and I heard my friends call, I was nearly finished. I turned back, we untied our horses, and the long ride started again.
We rode our horses into the streets of Nanjing, its streets were filled with the floating music of the stringed singers. We stopped at a rest place, ate dumplings and red bean soup with sweet rice balls. I didn’t want to sleep in a rest place, it was warm outside, and I’d really like to sleep out in the open under the stars. My friends thought so too, so we were again on the back of our horses.
We found somewhere close to Nanjing under the trees, then lit a fire and told each other stories. Before I head to sleep, I’ve decided to write. The flames are playing in front of me, the only sound is the crackle of the fire. If there’s a fire, I feel at home.
We found somewhere close to Nanjing under the trees, then lit a fire and told each other stories. Before I head to sleep, I’ve decided to write. The flames are playing in front of me, the only sound is the crackle of the fire. If there’s a fire, I feel at home.
My tribe had traveled a long way, and everyone started building their houses the next morning. My dad had worked a lot on the curved roofs of our house, and when I asked why, he said “Spirits travel in straight lines, son. This curved roof will confuse them, and it will keep away evil spirits. You wouldn’t want to meet one, would you?” he winked. Before I go to sleep, I will write the second poem. I wonder which adventures are ahead! |
It reminds me of the fire in my first day in Hangzhou. I immediately felt at home, seeing my family sit together near the fire, eating their dinner which was rice, staples and bean sprouts. I hadn’t wanted to eat my bean sprouts, but they were really important for my spiritual well-being, my mom insisted. So, I ended up finishing all of it as always. |
second adventure
My second object is in the river north of “narwhal apple no jack icicle north girl”
Put together the first letter of each destination, a riddle.
Head north up the river until you get to a dense, misty forest.
There will be no villages;
it’s the only one that hasn’t been used for housing.
In the forest are many poisonous plants,
and if you travel by river don’t hang your arms over the side of the boat.
Go upstream until you end up at the bottom of a waterfall.
Don’t get near the pool at the bottom of the waterfall,
instead walk on the edge and step behind.
There is a yellow stone in the middle of a wall.
The stone will be covered in moss.
Take some of the moss;
it is healing for the plant that will no doubt sting you in the forest.
To find my object move the yellow stone and take it.
My tribe is moving north east.
This diary is so you will be able to free the things I have left behind,
and also so the future history has our route.
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