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
T’ang 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.
Mulan’s 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 Mulan’s
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 father’s 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 warrior’s clothes.
She dressed herself in woman’s 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. It’s very short.
2. Learn more about Ancient China
3. Free Ancient China Clip Art
…
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