The Story of Mulan

The Story of Mulan “Wait!” said Mulan, “Father, you have not been well. If I may say so, why at your age must you keep up with all those young men?” “What else can be done?” said her father. “Your brother is a child. He cannot go.” “Of course that's true,” said Mulan.

“He is too little. But I have an idea.” She poured her father a cup of tea and handed it to him. “Father, have some tea. Please sit for a minute.

I will be right back.” "Very well, dear," said the father. Mulan went into her room. With her sword, she cut off her long, black hair. She put on her father’s robe .

Going back to her father, Mulan said, “Look at me. I am your son now. I will go in your place. I will do my part for China.” “No, my daughter!” said the old man.

“You cannot do this!” “Father, listen please," said Mulan. “For years, you trained me in Kung Fu . You showed me how to use a sword.” Mulan swung the sword back and forth with might . “Only so that you could stay safe!” said her father.

“I never meant for you to go to war. If they find out you are a woman, you know as well as I do that you will die!” “No one will find out, Father,” said Mulan. She picked up her sword. "Mulan!" said the Father.

He tried to get up but had to hold on to his chair. The daughter kissed him goodbye. "I love you, Father," she said. "Take care of yourself.

Tell my brother I said goodbye." She climbed on a family horse. And off she went to join the Emperor’s army. In the army, Mulan proved to be a brave soldier. In time, she was put in charge of other soldiers.

Her battles went so well that she was put in charge of more soldiers. Her battles kept on going well. After a few years Mulan was given the top job – she would be General of the entire army. Not long after that, a very bad fever swept through the army.

Many soldiers were sick. And Mulan, the General of the army, became sick, too. When the doctor came out of Mulan's tent, he knew the truth. “The General is a woman?” yelled the soldiers.

“How can this be?” Some called out, “She tricked us!” and “We will not fight for a woman!” They said, “Punish her! Make her pay! The cost is for her to die!” But others called out, in voices just as loud, “With Mulan, we win every battle!” They said, “Stay away from our General!” Just then, a soldier ran up. “Everyone!" he called.

"A surprise attack is coming!” Mulan heard this from inside her tent. She got dressed and went outside. She was not yet strong, but stood tall. She told the soldiers where they must go to hide so they could attack when the enemy came.

But they must get there fast! The soldiers, even those who did not like that their General was a woman, could tell that Mulan knew what she was talking about. It worked! The battle was won.

It was such a big victory that the enemy gave up, at last. The war was over, and China was saved! You can be sure that after that last battle, no one cared anymore that Mulan was a woman. The Emperor was so glad that Mulan had ended the long war, he set aside the rule about being a woman.

“Mulan, stay with me in the palace,” he said. “Someone as smart as you would be a fine royal adviser.” Mulan bowed deeply. “You are too kind, Sire,” she said. “But if you please, what I wish most of all is to return home to my family.” “Then at least take these fine gifts,” said the Emperor.

"So everyone at your home and village will know how much the Emperor of China thinks of you.” Mulan returned to her village with six fine horses and six fine swords. Everyone cheered that she was safe. The person who had saved China was their very own Mulan! carving (v) : an act of cutting a shape or pattern into wood or stone.

robe (n) : a long, loose outer garment reaching the ankles kung fu (n) : a chinese method of fighting that involves using your hands and feet and not using weapons might (n) : great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization, or natural force bowed (v) : bending the body forwards from the waist, especially to show respect for someone A. Choose the best answers. . Mulan goes to the battle instead of her father because a.

she wants to be a soldier. b. she was asked to join the army. c.

her father is old. d. her brother is sick. .

What did Mulan do before leaving the house? a. took leave from her mother b. cut off her hair c.

prayed d. made a dress for war . What is the story about? a.

winning b. friendship c. women empowerment d. motherhood .

The Emperor asked Mulan to stay with him in the palace as his a. wife. b. royal advisor.

c. army general. d. friend.

. The Emperor gave Mulan a. six horses and six swords. b.

a death sentence. c. gold. d.

six camels . How did people of the village react to Mulan after her return from the battle? a. cheered her b.

mocked her c. punished her d. scolded her B. Identify the character or speaker of the following lines.

. I heard about it in town. . I am your son now.

. The General is a woman? . Mulan, stay with me in the palace.

. You are too kind sire. C. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two.

. What was the Emperor’s order? . Where did Mulan’s father hear about the Emperor’s order?

. Why couldn't Mulan’s brother go to war? . Why did Mulan disguise herself as a man?

. How did the soldiers become sick? . How would she be punished if found guilty?

. Why did the Emperor give her fine gifts? . How did the soldiers come to know about Mulan’s real identity?

D. Answer the following questions in a paragraph. . Sketch the character of Mulan.

. Do you agree with Mulan’s decision to go to war? Justify.  Breakdancing is a style of street dance consisting of improvised acrobatic moves.

The pioneers of this dance credit Kung Fu as one of its influences. Moves such as the crouching low leg sweep and “up rocking” (standing combat moves) are influenced by choreographed Kung Fu fights.  Many people have a misconception that Chinese Kung Fu is about fighting and killing. It is actually based on Chinese philosophy and is about improving wisdom and intelligence.

Taoist philosophy is deeply rooted in and had a profound influence on the culture of Chinese martial arts.  The five traditional animal styles of Shaolin Kung Fu are the dragon, the snake, the tiger, the leopard and the crane. The union of the five animal forms clearly displayed the efficacy of both hard and soft movements, of both internal and external energy – this form of Chinese martial arts was known as Shaolin Kung Fu, named after the temple in which it was developed.  Kung Fu – ‘kung’ meaning ‘energy’ and ‘fu’ meaning ‘time’ – is a Chinese martial art whose recorded history dates back to around CE, during the Liang dynasty.

The man credited with introducing martial arts to China is said to be an Indian monk known as Bodhidarma.  Hua Mulan is a legendary Chinese warrior from the Northern and Southern dynasties ( – ) period of Chinese history, originally described in the Ballad of Mulan. In the ballad, Hua Mulan, disguised as a man, takes her aged father's place in the army. Mulan fought for twelve years and gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown.

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