Hua Mulan

15 pages · 8 min · ages 6+

Based on: Chinese Folk Tale (pre-6th century)

Mulan lived in a quiet village with her father at the edge of a green valley. She loved the scent of blooming jasmine flowers and the sound of the wind in the trees. Her father was a gentle man who taught her how to be kind, patient, and strong. Every morning, they worked together in their colorful garden and shared stories. Mulan was very fast and could solve any puzzle her father gave her. They were very happy in their small, peaceful home together.

One morning, a messenger from the Emperor arrived with a very important scroll. The scroll was a decree, which is an official message that everyone must follow. It said that one man from every family must join the Emperor’s group of brave defenders. Because Mulan had no brothers, her father would have to go away to serve. Mulan saw the worry in her father’s eyes as he looked at his old, rusty armor. He was no longer young, and his legs were tired and weak from many years of work.

That night, Mulan sat by the window and watched the moon glow in the dark sky. She knew her father was too old to go on a long journey or carry heavy gear. She wanted to protect him just as he had protected her when she was little. Mulan made a very brave choice to take her father’s place in the Emperor's camp. She would pretend to be a young man so she could serve as a defender. She felt her heart beating fast, but she knew this was the right thing to do.

Mulan found her father’s old armor and put it on piece by piece. The metal felt cold and heavy against her skin, but she stood tall and straight. She used a sharp blade to cut her long, dark hair short like a soldier's hair. She looked in the mirror and saw a strong warrior staring back at her. With a deep breath, she tied her father’s sword to her belt with a sturdy knot. She was ready to face whatever challenges and tests came her way.

Before the sun came up, Mulan went to the stable to find their faithful horse. The horse was strong and had a coat as black as the midnight sky. "We have a big journey ahead of us, my friend," Mulan whispered into the horse’s soft ear. She climbed into the saddle and rode away from her village as quietly as a mouse. She looked back one last time at her sleeping home with a heart full of love. She promised herself that she would return safely to her father one day.

When Mulan arrived at the training camp, she saw hundreds of tents and many busy people. The Captain was a tall man with a loud voice and a very serious face. He looked at Mulan and asked for her name, so she spoke in a deep, steady voice. "I am Mulan," she said, using her family name with great pride. The Captain nodded and told her to find a place to rest with the others. Mulan was nervous, but she kept her head held high and her back straight.

Training began the very next day, and it was much harder than Mulan had ever expected. The soldiers had to run through a long obstacle course filled with tall walls and muddy pits. Mulan struggled at first because the gear was so heavy and the walls were so high. She did not give up, even when her muscles felt very sore and tired. She watched the others carefully and learned the best way to jump and climb. Every day, she grew a little bit faster and a little bit stronger than before.

After the sun went down, Mulan often stayed awake to practice her skills alone. She worked on her stamina, which is the power to keep going even when you are tired. She practiced balancing on narrow wooden beams under the silver light of the moon. Her black horse stayed nearby, cheering her on with a soft neigh or a gentle nudge. Mulan knew that being a defender took more than just strength; it took practice and heart. She was determined to be the best she could possibly be for her family.

The Captain also gave the soldiers difficult strategy puzzles to solve during their breaks. These puzzles were like games that taught them how to plan and think ahead. Mulan was very good at these because she was clever and always very observant. She could see patterns and solutions that the other soldiers did not notice at all. The Captain was very impressed by how quickly Mulan could find the right answers. He started to realize that this young soldier had a very special and bright mind.

One afternoon, a heavy wagon got stuck in the deep mud near the training camp. All the strongest soldiers tried to pull it out, but it would not move at all. Mulan did not just pull with her arms; she used a long wooden pole to lift the wheel. This is called a lever, and it made the difficult work much easier for everyone. With Mulan’s clever idea, the wagon finally popped out of the mud with a loud splash. Her friends cheered and thanked her for her smart thinking and help.

Many years passed, and Mulan became a famous leader among the Emperor’s brave defenders. She led her team through thick forests and over snowy mountains with great care. She never used her sword to hurt anyone, but instead used her wits to keep her friends safe. The soldiers trusted her because she was always fair and very kind to everyone. Even the Captain looked to Mulan when he needed a good plan for a difficult path. She had earned the respect of everyone in the camp through her hard work.

When the long time of service was finally over, the Emperor called Mulan to his grand palace. The palace was filled with gold decorations and beautiful silk banners that fluttered in the breeze. The Emperor wanted to give Mulan a high position in the government as a reward. He offered her many bags of gold and a very fancy title to honor her. Mulan bowed low and thanked the Emperor for his great kindness and generosity. She knew in her heart that she wanted something else entirely.

"I do not want gold or a high title," Mulan said softly to the Emperor. "I only wish to return home to my father, who I have missed very much during these years." The Emperor was surprised, but he smiled because he saw her great devotion, which means love and loyalty. He gave her his finest horse and a beautiful jade necklace to take back to her village. Mulan thanked him one last time and began her long journey back home. She was excited to see the blooming flowers of her village again.

When Mulan arrived home, she took off her heavy armor and put on her old colorful clothes. She went outside to see her father, who was sitting under their favorite jasmine tree. He cried tears of joy when he saw that his brave daughter had returned safely. Soon, her friends from the camp arrived to visit their favorite leader and hero. They were very surprised to see that the great soldier Mulan was actually a girl. They did not care, for they knew her heart was the bravest of all.

The village held a big feast to celebrate Mulan’s return and her amazing triumph. A triumph is a great success or victory that makes people feel very proud. Mulan sat with her father and her friends, sharing stories of her many adventures. She had proven that anyone can be a hero if they are clever, kind, and brave. Her father hugged her tight and told her he was the proudest father in the world. Mulan was finally home, and her heart was full of peace, joy, and love.