The Legend of Mulan - Chinese

My name is Mulan, and long ago, I lived in a quiet village where the scent of jasmine flowers filled the air. I loved my family more than anything, especially my father, who was wise and kind but growing older and weaker. One day, a scroll from the Emperor arrived, bringing scary news: our land was in danger, and one man from every family had to join the army. My heart dropped like a stone in a pond when I saw my father’s name. He was not strong enough for battle, and my little brother was too young. That night, watching the moon hang like a silver lantern in the sky, I knew what I had to do. This is the story of how I chose to protect my family, a legend they now call The Ballad of Mulan.

Under the cover of darkness, I made my choice. I quietly took my father’s armor, which felt heavy and cold on my shoulders, and with a single snip of a sharp blade, I cut my long black hair. Dressed as a young man, I rode away on our family's fastest horse, Khan, promising myself I would be brave enough for the both of us. Life in the army was harder than I ever imagined. We trained from sunrise to sunset, learning to ride warhorses and fight with swords that felt like they weighed a ton. The other soldiers were loud and strong, and I had to work twice as hard to keep up and to keep my secret safe. At night, I would look at the stars and miss my family, but thinking of them gave me the strength to carry on. In battles, I fought with all my might, not for glory, but to protect my home and the people I loved. Years passed, and I learned that courage wasn't about being the biggest or the strongest, but about having a heart full of love and a will that wouldn't break. My fellow soldiers came to respect me as a clever and fearless warrior, never once guessing I was a girl hiding a big secret.

After twelve long years, the war finally ended, and we were victorious. The Emperor was so impressed with my service that he offered me riches and a powerful title in his court. But all I wanted was to go home. I bowed deeply and thanked him, but I asked only for a swift horse to carry me back to my village. When I arrived, my family rushed out to greet me with tears of joy and open arms. I went inside my room and changed back into my own clothes, letting my hair fall freely over my shoulders. When I came out, my soldier friends, who had traveled with me, were speechless with surprise. They saw not just a great soldier, but Mulan, a daughter who had done the impossible for love. My story, first told in a beautiful poem, has been shared for hundreds of years. It reminds everyone that anyone can be a hero, no matter who they are, and that the greatest strength comes from love and courage. It inspires people to be true to themselves and to stand up for what they believe in, keeping the spirit of a brave girl alive forever.