Ancient China

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Ancient China
The True Story of Mulan
Retold by Lin DonnIllustrated by Phillip Martin
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Mulan
In Han times, or perhaps Sui times, but certainly
before Tang times, there lived a young girl
named Mulan.
Her father was a retired and famous general. He
taught her to use a sword and ride a horse, which
was most unusual. Boys were taught to fight and
ride, not girls.
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Mulan
One day, the military posted scrolls in the
village. The scroll announced that each family
had to send one man to the army.
Mulans father was too old to fight, but too
honorable not to go. Mulan had no older brother
to send in his place. Her baby brother was
brave and strong, but much too young to be
selected.
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Mulan
Girls did not fight in wars. If only she were a
boy, Mulan thought to herself. It would be so
simple.
An idea grew in Mulans mind. Could she do it?
She had to. Mulan knew her father would die if
he went to war again.
That day, she bought a horse.
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Mulan
The next morning, Mulan stole her fathers armor
and crept silently from home. Disguised as a man,
she reported for duty to the military leader.
Mulan fought for many years, some say as many as
ten years. In all that time, no one knew that
Mulan was a woman.
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Mulan
When the war ended, Mulan was called before the
emperor to receive an award for her courage. The
emperor offered Mulan a job that would make her
rich. But Mulan wished to return to her family.
She asked for a good horse instead, a request
that was granted immediately.
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Mulan
Her family was happy to see her. Her brother
had grown into a fine young man. Mulan gave him
her warriors clothes. She dressed herself in
womans clothes. She wrapped her hair in the
style of the day. She added rouge to her cheeks.
When she joined her family to watch the sun set,
Mulan had transformed into a beautiful young
woman.
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Mulan
Not long after, friends who had served with Mulan
came to visit. Their eyes grew large when they
saw the beautiful woman before them.
Her story spread across China, to inspire girls
everywhere. If you love enough and have courage
enough, you can accomplish anything, no matter
how impossible it might seem.
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Question
Based on this story, do you think girls normally
served in the army as soldiers in ancient China?
Why or why not?(Justify your answer)
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MORE

1. To read the Ballad of Mulan (translated into
   English), click here. Its very short.
2. Learn more about Ancient China
3. Free Ancient China Clip Art

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