Ancient China

The True Story of Mulan

Retold by Lin Donn Illustrated by Phillip Martin

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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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