oxford pathways class7 english coursebook ---summary of THE BALLAD OF MULAN
Answers
Suddenly, the sound of weaving changed to sorrowful sighs. “What troubles you? her mother asked.
“Nothing, Mother,” Mulan softly replied.
Her mother asked her again and again, until Mulan finally said, “There is news of war.”
“Invaders are attacking. The Emperor is calling for troops. Last night, I saw the draft poster and twelve scrolls of names in the market. Father’s name is on every one.”
“But father is old and frail,” Mulan sighed.
“How can he fight? He has no grown son and I have no elder brother.”
“I will go to the markets. I shall buy a saddle and a horse. I must fight in Father’s place.”
From the eastern market Mulan bought a horse, and from the western market, a saddle. From the southern market she bought a bridle, and from the northern market, a whip.
At dawn Mulan dressed in her armor and bid a sad farewell to the father, mother, sister, and brother. Then she mounted her horse and rode off with the soldiers.
By nightfall she was camped by the bank of the Yellow River. She thought she heard them mother calling her name.
But it was only the sound of the river crying.
At sunrise Mulan took leave of Yellow River. At dusk she reached the peak of Black Mountain.
In the darkness she longed to hear father’s voice but heard only the neighing of enemy horses far away.
Mulan rode ten thousand miles to fight a hundred battles. She crossed peaks and passes like a bird in flight.
Nights at the camp were harsh and cold, but Mulan endured every hardship. Knowing her father was safe warmed her heart.
The war dragged on. Fierce battles ravaged the land. One after another, noble generals lost their lives.
Mulan’s skill and courage won her respect and rank. After ten years, she returned as a great general, triumphant and victorious!
The Emperor summoned Mulan to the High Palace. He praised her for her bravery and leadership in battle.
The Court would bestow many great titles upon her. Mulan would be showered with gifts of gold.
“Worthy General, you may have your heart’s desire,” the Emperor said.
“I have no need for honors or gold,” Mulan replied.
“All I ask for is a swift camel to take me back home.” The Emperor sent a troop to escort Mulan on her trip.
In town, the news of Mulan’s return created a great excitement. Holding each other, her proud parents walked to the village gate to welcome her.
Waiting at home, Mulan’s sister beautified herself. Her brother sharpened his knife to prepare a pig and sheep for the feast in Mulan’s honor.
Home at last! Mulan threw open her open her bedroom door and smiled. She removed her armor and changed into one of her favorite dresses.
She brushed out her shiny black hair and pasted a yellow flower on her face. She looked into the mirror and smiled again, happy to be home.
What a surprise it was when Mulan appeared at the door! Her comrades were astonished and amazed. “How is this possible?” they asked.
“How could we have fought side by side with you for ten years and not have known you were a woman!”
Mulan replied, “They say the male rabbit likes to hop and leap, while the female rabbit prefers to sit still. But in times of danger, when two rabbits scurry by, who can tell male from female?”
Mulan’s glory spread through the land. And to this day, we sing of this brave woman who loved her family and served her country, asking for nothing in return.
Answer:
The Ballad of Mulan
Tsiek tsiek and again tsiek tsiek,
Mu-lan weaves, facing the door.
You don't hear the shuttle's sound,
You only hear Daughter's sighs.
They ask Daughter who's in her heart,
They ask Daughter who's on her mind.
"No one is on Daughter's heart,
No one is on Daughter's mind.
Last night I saw the draft posters,
The Khan is calling many troops,
The army list is in twelve scrolls,
On every scroll there's Father's name.
Father has no grown-up son,
Mu-lan has no elder brother.
I want to buy a saddle and horse,
And serve in the army in Father's place."
In the East Market she buys a spirited horse,
In the West Market she buys a saddle,
In the South Market she buys a bridle,
In the North Market she buys a long whip.
At dawn she takes leave of Father and Mother,
In the evening camps on the Yellow River's bank.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and Mother calling,
She only hears the Yellow River's flowing water cry tsien tsien.
At dawn she takes leave of the Yellow River,
In the evening she arrives at Black Mountain.
She doesn't hear the sound of Father and Mother calling,
She only hears Mount Yen's nomad horses cry tsiu tsiu.
She goes ten thousand miles on the business of war,
She crosses passes and mountains like flying.
Northern gusts carry the rattle of army pots,
Chilly light shines on iron armor.
Generals die in a hundred battles,
Stout soldiers return after ten years.
On her return she sees the Son of Heaven,
The Son of Heaven sits in the Splendid Hall.
He gives out promotions in twelve ranks
And prizes of a hundred thousand and more.
The Khan asks her what she desires.
"Mu-lan has no use for a minister's post.
I wish to ride a swift mount
To take me back to my home."
When Father and Mother hear Daughter is coming
They go outside the wall to meet her, leaning on each other.
When Elder Sister hears Younger Sister is coming
She fixes her rouge, facing the door.
When Little Brother hears Elder Sister is coming
He whets the knife, quick quick, for pig and sheep.
"I open the door to my east chamber,
I sit on my couch in the west room,
I take off my wartime gown
And put on my old-time clothes."
Facing the window she fixes her cloudlike hair,
Hanging up a mirror she dabs on yellow flower powder
She goes out the door and sees her comrades.
Her comrades are all amazed and perplexed.
Traveling together for twelve years
They didn't know Mu-lan was a girl.
"The he-hare's feet go hop and skip,
The she-hare's eyes are muddled and fuddled.
Two hares running side by side close to the ground,
How can they tell if I am he or she?"
Explanation: Poem...
