The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
(1966-1976)
By: Cathy Song (6th grade)
“Stupid Mao Zedong, who does he think he is!?” said Henry with a look of disgust on his face.
“Shhh!!! Somebody can hear you!” cried Haishui, through the muffled sound of people rushing on the streets alongside them.
It was the year of 1974 and both boys were 10 years old. Henry was tall for his age with thick black hair that was almost always uncombed. His legs were long and powerful. Henry is very slim with thin arms. Haishui had the same type of hair except that his were always neatly combed at a precise angle. He’s average for his age with broad shoulders and strong arms and legs. They were both brave, but Henry never took anything seriously unlike Haishui who was intelligent and focused.
Haishui and Henry were next door neighbors and close friends. They were getting some food for their families, with the money tucked deeply in their coat pockets. As they were rushing down the streets, they noticed many people who were chanting some words that honored Mao Zedong. Occasionally, there were also a couple of signs lying around that said things like “Mao Zedong is the greatest!” and “All hail Mao Zedong!”
The boys reached the market just before it closed. Haishui and Henry dragged their sacks of bread home like they were carrying watermelons instead of chunks of bread. Once they reached their apartment, they said, “See you tomorrow” to each other and walked into the warmth and comfort of their homes to alleviate all the crazy commotion outside.
In the morning…
“Haishui! Wake up!” said Haishui’s mom, while shaking him relentlessly.
“Huh? What?” asked Haishui, still half-sleeping.
“Your friend! Henry! He’s been caught!”
At the sound of “Henry”, Haishui shot out of bed so quickly it was like the speed of light. He bolted for the door, still dressed in his pajamas.
“No! Son! It’s too late now!” cried Haishui’s mom.
“I HAVE to go! He’s my best friend! The world is black and white without him!” Haishui grabbed the lock fidgeting it in his hands.
“No! The thing won’t open!”
Now Haishui had streams and streams of tears sliding down his face rapidly.
“Poor Henry! The Reeducation Camp is going to torture him!” Haishui said. He dropped to his knees, his hands lying helplessly out in front of him in a tangled ball. Tears were slithering silently down his usually healthy looking face, which now turned into a ghostly white.
The next day…
I’m going to go and rescue him, thought Haishui. He trembled a little bit at the thought of it. Henry was his friend, so it’s up to him to help him escape. I’m going to sneak out a little past midnight tonight, Haishui thought.
At 12:30 A.M., Haishui quickly and quietly got out of his bed and grabbed a sweater. He slowly unlatched the locks and relocked it when he was on the other side of the door. Slowly, he closed the door, walked down the stairs silently, and out into the breezy night.
Rustle; rustle the leaves crunched underneath him as he ran. All the way there, Haishui’s heart beat faster and faster. Soon, the camps came into sight.
“Henry?” called Haishui uncertainly. After minutes later, he heard a mumble which was a whisper.
“Haishui?” Henry whispered.
“Hey where are you? The guards are going to find me”
“Over here”
Soon, the boys worked their way out of the Reeducation Camp.
“Thanks so much for rescuing me,” said Henry with a half sob in his voice.
A couple of years later, the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution ended in 1976. Innocent people weren’t arrested anymore. Things were back to being normal. |
