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Supported by Organiser Official Charity New Tales of the Gobi Desert Non-Fiction Group 1 The Gobi Desert AD & FD of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On School, Hung Tsz To, Non-Fiction: Group 1

am losing, losing, losing...... in the Gobi Desert. How do I walk across it? It’s an unboundary region, all you could see are and dunes, sand...... Will I lose my life in Gobi Desert? Let’s know more about the Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world and occupies an area of 1,300,000 Ik², and it is a large desert region in . The Gobi is most notable in history as part of the great and as the location of several important cities along the . The Gobi is a cold desert with frost and occasionally snow occurring on its dunes. The climate of the Gobi is one of great extremes, these can occur not only seasonally but within 24 hours. The temperature in Gobi is extremely, ranging from -40º(-46º) in winter to +50º(122º) in summer. The Gobi Desert is the source of many important fossil finds including the first dinosaur eggs. Despite the harsh conditions, these deserts and the surrounding regions sustain over 45 different species of animals and birds. But the Gobi Desert is expanding at an alarming rate, in a process known as desertification. The expansion of the Gobi is attributed mostly to human activities, notably deforestation, overgrazing, and depletion of water resources. has tried various plants to slow the expansion of the desert. The most recent plan involves the planting of the Green Wall of China, a huge ring of newly planted forests; it acts as a buffer against further desertification. New Tales of the Gobi Desert Bradbury School, Ian Chan, Non-Fiction: Group 1

he Gobi Desert is in northern China and southern . Temperature ranges from -40º to 122º. There are lots of different species in the desert. The hawk and the fox are both predators, they eat scorpions and tarantulas. At the bottom of the food chain are insects Tand lizards and rodents. The first dinosaur eggs discovered were found in the Gobi Desert. Protoceratops roamed the Gobi Desert. In fact they were the size of sheep. A small cerotopican had broad feet and wide spade like claws that allowed it to dig burrows for shelter from the desert sun. it ate desert plant. It lived in 65-74 million years ago, they were in the Mesozaic Era. It was in Cretaceous period after Jurassic period. Today the animals that live in the desert include snakes, spiders and centipedes. Snakes eat rats, other snakes and insects. The trapdoor spiders eat rats, insects, other spiders and centipedes. They have fangs for injecting venom. They make holes on the ground. The holes are for catching prey and hiding. People in the desert take care of the camels. Camels carry people’s equipment and store food in their humps. They can survive for weeks without food or water. I like the creatures, insects, spiders and scorpions in the Gobi Desert. In the Gobi Desert, is there any sandstorm? Can we see stars at night? Shortlisted

The Gobi Desert French International School (Primary), Daniel Roath, 8

ave you ever heard of a rain shadow? A rain shadow is a dry area on the earth that is caused by large mountain ranges that block rain clouds from reaching that area. The result of the rain shadow is often a desert. The Gobi Desert, the largest desert in Asia and fifth largest in the world, stretching across Northern China and Southern Mongolia His an example of a rain shadow. The Himalayan mountain range to the south blocks most rain from reaching the Gobi Desert. Very little rain falls in the Gobi Desert. In fact, only an average of 194mm of rain falls annually here. Compare that to Hong Kong which once had 145mm of rain in just one hour! With so little water available to support life the number of people living in the Gobi Desert has never been that large. Rather than remain in one place and build large cities, people of the Gobi generally must move from location to location to find new sources of water. Because of the need to move regularly, the population of the Gobi have been traditionally . Nomads are people that do not have a permanent home like you and I here in Hong Kong. Their homes are tents that they can move along with their livestock herds. Humans aren’t the only species that learned to adapt in the Gobi Desert. This desert has a wide variety of animals. Unfortunately, a few of these animals are now very endangered including the snow leopard and the Gobi bear. The largest animal of the Gobi is the . It has two humps and is able to live quite comfortably despite the lack of water, very cold temperatures, and high altitudes. These camels were also used to transport goods in caravans in ancient times along the Silk Road which crossed the Gobi Desert. Without the Bactrian camel, crossing the Gobi Desert in a caravan along the Silk Road would have been very difficult! Many plants of the region have also figured out how to survive without much water. Rather than collect water from leaves, the trees in the Gobi Desert have many long roots that are able to search for water across a large area. Today, the Gobi Desert continues to grow. It is growing mostly because many of the surrounding trees have been cut down and the livestock have eaten much of the available grass. This is known as desertification. With no trees or grass, the wind is able to push the sand further and the desert grows. It is growing at a very fast pace. It is important to find a way to stop the desert growing and scientists are discussing possible ways. Similar to Hong Kong, reducing pollution is one of the needed steps! Shortlisted

Greetings from Gobi Holidays! Harrow International School Hong Kong, Oliver Jamison, 7

hank you for choosing a Gobi Desert Trip. I am writing to you to tell you what we will be doing on the trip, and what the trip is about. We will be seeing rare camels, Golden Eagles, wolves and snow leopards (from a distance, obviously!), we’ll be feeling the heat and cold of T the desert, learning what the are like and how they treat people. First of all:

What to Pack: we’ll need winter clothes, because the Gobi Desert can be extremely cold (the average Winter temperature is -40 degrees Celsius). But it also gets scorching in Summer, so bring sunglasses, trousers you can convert into shorts, a light-coloured top (to reflect heat). Water is scarce (the desert only gets 8 inches of rain a year - about a big cupful) so you’ll need dry toothpaste and dry shampoo.

The Six Best Things to do in the Gobi Desert

Number 1: Camel-riding: the Gobi has the rare two-humped Bactrian camel. This is an opportunity for us to ride into the heart of the desert. We’ll see the nomadic people of the desert, and we’ll be looking out for wildlife such as wolves, eagles etc. Number 2: Gold prospecting: the Gobi is famous for its copper and gold. We will provide the pick axes. Number 3: Seeing the Gobi Mummies: Egypt is not the only country with mummies! The Gobi mummies date back as far as 1800 BC, and were found in the ancient towns of the Silk Road on the edge of the Gobi. Number 4: Following Marco Polo’s trail: Marco Polo was one of the first people to travel from Europe to China in 1271. He went along the Silk Road, which runs right past the Gobi Desert. You can track Marco’s steps on his 3-year journey to China. Number 5: Dinosaur Egg Hunt: There are lots of dinosaurs in the Gobi Desert, especially the Velociraptor which lived 75 million years ago, so there is a good chance you will be able to find your own dinosaur fossil. Number 6: Camping in a Yurt: a Yurt is a Mongolian house. The outside is made of felt and the inside is a frame of bamboo. It will be fun to construct our own yurt in a village in the desert and to camp out in the desert. We can go out and meet some local people and say “Hello”. Something you shouldn’t miss is our evening by the campfire on the last night. The desert people gather wood and camel dung and make the fire from it. They cook the food on sticks over the fire and tell traditional tales to one another under the stars. See you soon in the Gobi Desert. Bye! Special Animals of the Gobi Desert ICHK-, Romily Roberts, Non-Fiction: Group 1

obi means waterless place. Life has adapted to live there even though it is very tough. To survive in the Gobi Desert, animals get their water from the food they eat and come out at night. It is a home for many different animals like jerboas, snow leopards, Gobi bears and GBactrian camels. However, many of these are endangered animals. Long-eared jerboas are very cute looking animals. It is size of a mouse, with a snout like a pig and ears like Dumbo. It hops like a kangaroo. There are different types of jerboa but the long- eared jerboas is special. It is the only one of an entire genus- this means it is related to all the other animals on Earth…..even to you and me! Winner

Desert Danger Kau Yan School, Rebecca May Gittings, Non-Fiction: Group 1

he Gobi Desert is often called one of “Earth’s miracles.” This enormous desert covers about 500,000 square miles of northern China and southern Mongolia. The Gobi is a unique mixture of sand, stone and rock and is famous for many reasons. It is where the first dinosaur eggs were found, and is also home to many unique species of animals and birds. TRecently, these animals and birds have been endangered by environmental pollution caused by industrialisation in the Gobi. For example, scientists estimate that there may be as few as 20- 25 Gobi bears remaining, all living in an area called the Great Gobi Strictly . But while the Gobi is a treasure, it can cause many negative effects if it grows too large. That is the biggest problem the Earth is facing from the Gobi Desert right now. The Gobi Desert is currently expanding by five to eight metres per year. There are more than 4,000 villages around the Gobi Desert threatened by desertification. As the Gobi expands, it brings serious sandstorms to Beijing and other cities. There are many reasons for the desertification of the Gobi. These include climate change, overgrazing, overhunting, deforestation, mining and the depletion of water resources. There are some trees that slow desertification, like the saxaul tree. The Chinese has tried to control desertification by planting a barrier of trees around the Gobi called the Green Wall of China. The Green Wall of China includes more than 64 billion trees. But this cannot stop desertification, because it only addresses a few of the causes. If we really want to stop desertification, we also need to solve all of these problems. To solve the problems of overgrazing and overhunting is the responsibility of the people living in the Gobi. They have to stop taking so much land for their cattle, and they should also stop hunting so many animals. To solve the problem of mining is the responsibility of big companies in big cities. They have to realise the damage they are doing and stop mining so much. To solve the problem of climate change is the responsibility of the whole world. This does the worst damage and also harms many other parts of the world. Even if we live on the other side of the world, we still can help to stop desertification by changing our lifestyle to become more environmentally friendly. Let’s hope the whole world will work together to solve the problem of desertification before it spreads even further across Asia. Non-Fiction Group 2 Gobi Desert American International School, Scarlett Tsou, Non-Fiction: Group 2

ave you ever wondered how the Gobi Desert came to be? Or if there is life in this desert? Any question you want answered will be in here. Get ready, a whole world awaits you, and that world is the Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert is a huge desert that stretches across huge portions of Mongolia Hand China. The term “Gobi” probably came from Mongolia which means waterless place, such as a desert. Most deserts are sandy, but the Gobi Desert is bare rock. You could drive over this ground in any direction: north toward the Altai and Hangayn mountains, east toward the Da Hinggan Range, or south toward the Bei Mountains and the Valley. To the southwestern limit of the Gobi, the of the southern Uygur Autonomous region of . The Gobi covers 1.3 million square kilometers and is elevated with hot summers and cold winters. When you think of a desert, you think of heat. Surprise! The Gobi is a cold desert. The temperature in the Gobi is a temperature of extremes. It can shift from 60 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as twenty-four hours. It can get to freezing temperature of minus forty degrees in the winter, and the blazing hot temperature of one hundred twelve degrees in the summer. The desert gets an average rainfall of only 7.6 inches. If you compare that to the Amazon Rainforest, which receives 9 feet, that’s very low. The region’s height is above sea level and its northerly position on the globe gives the Gobi another source of moisture, snow. You might even see frost on top of the dunes occasionally. The Gobi doesn’t receive much water during the rainy season. The Gobi Desert receives more moisture during winter. Monsoons sometimes reach the southeastern part of the desert which is normally very dry. Even with this harsh climate life still finds a way to survive. This is not a miracle, Living creatures such as fauna, flora, and humans have all adapted to the region’s harsh climate of extremes. Keep reading to see how they do it! Even though the Gobi seems like a barren, rocky, wasteland, the Gobi still supports life. The extremely low rainfall still allows some desert plants to survive. One of them is the Saxual Tree. The Saxual Tree is one of the most important plants in the Gobi. Water reserves collect behind its bark, allowing other animals and humans to use its precious water. If you squeeze the bark of the tree, water comes out. Wild onions are another plant in the Gobi. They provide a food source for the fauna. They even offer a supply of food for the humans traveling over the Gobi Desert. Convolvulus and Tarmarix are two shrubs and add a bit of color to the scenery. Needle and Bridle grass dot the rocky land. A weed-like plant, Saltwort has a high tolerance to salt. Jerobas are the smallest of all animals in the Gobi and are built almost like kangaroos. They have a long tail that helps balance their leaps of about 10 feet in length. Jerobas have an enemy: Golden Eagles. Golden Eagles are also trained to hunt for people. There are also endangered species in the Gobi such as the Snow Leopard and the Gobi Bear. Majority of the people living in the Gobi are Mongolians, but the population of the Han Chinese has been steadily increasing since the 1950s. Luckily, the people in the Gobi have been able to keep its culture and traditions from ancient history. There is even an old Mongolian proverb from the Gobi that concerns hospitality: “Happy is the one who has guests, merry is the home boasting a tethering rail full of visitors’ houses.” The Gobi Desert is a harsh, massive habitat that has to be very challenging to survive in for everyone, even with adaptations. Even though the Gobi Desert is a tremendous desert, it gets bigger every year. The culprit is: Desertification. Desertification happens all over the globe. It happens when living things such as animals and people go to an area and use all of the resources such as water, plants, and food. When this happens, tree roots start getting loose from the soil and the soil or dirt isn’t packed tightly together because there is nothing holding it down. The soil or dirt eventually gets loose from the ground and wind blows the soil away. Since there is no water, there isn’t moisture in the ground and dries up the soil. This is how a desert is born. Some of the most important discoveries were made in this desert. One of the finds is the eggs of a dinosaur. The Gobi Desert is a main source of many different fossil finds. This desert is also the home of Marco Polo’s famous Silk Road. These events have a special place in the Gobi Desert and History. The Gobi Desert has amazing extremes from the temperature to the habitat. Even though it’s a desert, it is still in our beautiful world. The world we live in still amazes us. There is still so much to discover. I’ve only shared with you some information regarding the Gobi Desert. I hope you will see the miracles the world has made for us with our own eyes. New Tales of the Gobi Desert Baptist ( Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School, Chu Henry Tin Heng, Non-Fiction: Group 2

o you know the legend of the Oyu Tolgoi golden dinosaur egg in the Gobi Desert? That egg remained as a fossil in one of the Oyu Tolgoi mines. Because of the gold inside the mine, the egg became gold because all of the gold in the mine went to the egg. That’s why there are no gold found in those mines today. But, what is the story? Let me tell you now… DDr. Michigan and his team drove their jeep among the sands near the Eastern Gobi Desert . They were finding clues of fossils and excavating them. The road was smooth so far-- -- but it wasn’t so smooth when the vehicle got stuck in a large pool of quicksand. They tried to accelerate and get away but they just sunk deeper and deeper into the sand. Suddenly the sinking stopped and the archaeologists sighed. But they didn’t rise to the surface. Instead, they and the vehicle started to FALL…… ‘AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!’ The excavation team yelled as their jeep crashed into a million pieces. ‘Luckily the torch isn’t broken,’ Dr. Michigan said as he turned on the torch. A plaque emerged before the beam of light. It said, ‘Forward you go and then turn right, you’ll see a glass box filled with bright.’ ‘I wonder what is going on,’ murmured Dr. Michigan as he and his team followed the plaque’s instructions. They arrived at the shining glass box when they saw another plaque, ‘Break the glass box and up you climb, stay at the top or you’ll lose a limb.’ It read. The whole team climbed up the slanted road after smashing the glass. When they reached the top, they got a nasty sight. A group of cannibals were heating fire and ready to put a poor explorer into the fire to sizzle. They were waiting gleefully for the fire to come up as their eyes are all glued to the fireplace. One explorer of Dr. Michigan’s team saw another plaque on the slanted road’s right side. They called everyone to look. It read, ‘Watch a chance and right you crawl, and hide behind a big grey wall.’ When no cannibal of the troop was noticing, the team crawled quietly through the floor and quickly hid behind the wall. On the other side of the solitary explorer who was being caught, his guards were suddenly attacked by eagles, letting the explorer escape and back on his trail. Little does Dr. Michigan’s team know that the solitary explorer was the writer of the plaques, and the famous explorer and scientist Dr. Dickens? The team hid behind the wall when they saw another plaque (also written by Dr. Dickens). It read, ‘Run away for just a little bit, keep looking down and you’ll fall in a pit.’ They ran away from their hiding place and ran and ran until they saw the hole. Their eyes casted to the ground and jumped into the hole (actually the hole was only two meters deep). They landed on their legs when they saw another plaque on the ground. It said, ‘Now look forward and then you’ll cry, “Is I dreaming? It must be a lie!”’ They all looked forward and they had the most wonderful sight ever. A golden dinosaur egg lay on the ground, with lots of boulders on top of it, blocking the scientists’ way. When all of the scientists tried moving the rocks, Dr. Michigan found another plaque and read it out loud, ‘Press the egg and down the rocks crash, get the egg and get out with a dash.’ One scientist immediately pressed the egg and the whole of the rocks fell down. Dr. Michigan grabbed the precious egg then led his team out of the hole. When they were out of the hole, they got a shock! Guess what? They saw Dr. Dickens! ‘Why are you here?’ Dr. Michigan’s team shouted. ‘Nothing. I’m here just to retrieve the egg. I found the egg before but I want to give the other explorers a chance. So I left the egg alone for a month. After a month, I got no news about anyone who found the egg so I went back to the Gobi Desert to get it back. But now, the egg was yours already.’ ‘And so you were caught by the cannibal troop! But who wrote those plaques?’ said Dr. Michigan. ‘I wrote them, of course,’ said Dr. Dickens. ‘To guide the explorers. And I dug the way and used the pool of quicksand as an entrance. Come on, board our jeep. I’ll drive you all back to the lab.’ The team thanked him and drove back to the lab to do research. So this is the end of the story! Archaeologists began searching for clues about this legend. Some has claimed that they’ve found a broken metal plate with words on it and say it is one of the plaques in the scientists’ search. Is this legend true or fake? We shall wait for the archaeologists to find out. New Tales of the Gobi Desert School, Daniel Young, Non-Fiction: Group 2

thought that a desert was a place of no fun and no hope. It was too cold in winter and too hot in summer. There were few green plants, but our visit to the , including the Gobi Desert this summer has changed my mind. We visited the Western National Park and modern factories. We saw green grasses and Itrees growing well in many places to stop the desert from expanding. Many people there are working hard to make the desert into a place of hope. Uncle Wu, our generous host during the visit, was among those hard-working people, and his story tells new tales of hope. Uncle Wu was born in early 1950s near the Gobi Desert. Like most poor families in the desert area, his family was always starving for food. He wore rags and often went to bed hungry. Most young people wanted to move big cities, but not Uncle Wu. He was determined to change his hometown with his intelligence and knowledge. Uncle Wu studied agriculture in Beijing. After he graduated, he and some young scientists collaborated in inventing a type of fertilizer that helps plats to survive the extreme weather in deserts and to grow faster. They experienced a lot of difficulty. They had to sell their homes to borrow money for their machines and also had to encourage farmers to have a free try of their new fertilizer. Fortunately, his desert dreams are coming true. His factory is the third largest one in the Inner Mongolia. More and more farmers are using the fertilizer. Uncle Wu and his friends are rich now so they built the only three-star hotel in the desert area to attract visitors. We had two great nights in the desert hotel. Thanks for their efforts; the Gobi Desert is becoming a place of green hope. Uncle Wu’s company was listed in Nasdaq in 2009 under the code YONG, which means forever. Shortlisted

Names of the Gobi Desert International College Hong Kong, Hong Lok Yuen, Belle Ho, 10

he Gobi desert is a large desert region in Asia. It covers much of the southern part of Mongolia. The word “Gobi” also comes from Mongolia, it means “waterless”, “dry”, “arid” etc. The Gobi Desert also known as the “black desert”, “Place Of Dinosaurs Fossils”, “Dry T Sea”. In Chinese it is also called “Sha- Han-Hai”. 黑沙漠 Black Desert: Why is the Gobi Desert known as the Black Desert? Well, the answer is very simple. Based on the evaporation of moisture and after a long time of abrasion, the iron from the soil and the sand formed a layer on the top. It takes a long time to form that! Everyone knows that iron is black. So the evaporated and worn down iron in the sand forms a thick, black layer on the surface of the desert. So people call the Gobi “The Black Desert”.

恐龍化石的地方 “Place Of Dinosaur Fossils”: There is a reason why people call the Gobi the “Place Of Dinosaurs Fossils”. One of the main reasons is a place called the Flaming Cliffs in the Gobi Desert which were famous for yielding the first discovery of dinosaur eggs. Another main reason is that a team of Chinese and American scientists found well-preserved dinosaur fossils in the Gobi Desert. It is a really exciting discovery because most of the dinosaur fossils were complete. This shows that Gobi has provided some really good information of dinosaurs for scientists.

“Gobi” meaning Dry and Arid Place: The Gobi is called a ‘dry sea’ because it seems like you are walking on a vast sea but it is dry and sandy. Most people think that the Gobi is very hot but actually it is a cold desert because it is on a high altitude surrounded by a lot of mountains. Even though it is cold it is very dry because it rarely rains. Extreme Weather Desert: The temperature in the Gobi varies from over 40 degrees Celsius to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The extreme change in temperature affects explorers and other travellers. They need to prepare clothes and a lot of protection for the extreme temperature changes. The varying temperature can also affect people’s health. They can get a fever easily. Usually cold temperatures will make people feel lethargic and sometimes hot temperatures will make people get heat stroke.

沙漠 (Shāmò, a generic term for deserts) 瀚海 (Hànhǎi) “Endless Sea” 沙漠瀚海Shāmò: The name “瀚海 (pronounced Hànhǎi)” was given by some travellers on the Silk Road. This means a “vast stretch of sea”. The famous Silk Road winds across the Gobi Desert. Imagine you are part of a travellers or traders caravan pushing along the Silk Road through the Gobi Desert, just like a barge moving slowly through the ocean. The Chinese name of “Hanhai” is very poetic because you can imagine the desert like an enormous ocean stretching far into the distance. It is a good word to describe Gobi Desert because of the size of the Gobi Desert when you are standing one spot, you will see a massive ocean of sand and stone. It seems like it has no end and that is the same as a vast sea. That is why the Gobi Desert is also known as the “沙漠瀚” in Chinese meaning “vast ocean of desert”. So we can see that the Gobi has so many special features through the different nicknames that people from different times have given it. It shows us that the Gobi Desert is a unique desert with features that set it apart from most other deserts in the world. The Great Gobi Desert ICHK-Hong Lok Yuen, Justin Ho, Non-Fiction: Group 2

he Gobi Desert is a large desert region in Asia. It covers parts of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. The desert basins of the Gobi are bounded by the Altai Mountains and the grasslands and of Mongolia on the north, by the and Tibetan Plateau to the southwest, and by the North TChina Plain to the southeast. This desert is the fifth largest in the world. The word Gobi means “Waterless”, so Gobi Desert means “Waterless Desert” The Gobi is a rain shadow desert formed by the Himalaya range blocking rain-carrying clouds from reaching the Gobi. The Gobi can reach extreme temperatures ranging from minus-forty degree centigrade to fifty degree centigrade. There are also animals in the Gobi. In the Gobi there is a animal called a Jerboa, the Jerboa is an animal really similar to a kangaroo. This rodent’s hind legs are so powerful that it can make the animal leap ten feet! They also have a long tail the helps the balance in the rocky landscape of the Gobi desert. The Jerboa is the smallest animal in the Gobi. The Gobi Desert is also the home to the Snow Leopard. The Gobi Snow Leopard used to travel in big groups in the colder parts of the Gobi. When the human population in the Gobi kept increasing, their numbers decreased really quickly. There are only one thousand and seven hundred of them left approximately. Another animal is the Golden Eagle. These birds can weigh up to thirteen pounds, with a diet of Jerboas. The eagle can live up to almost eighteen years. Also in the Gobi, there is a bear called the Gobi bear. It is the one of the most endangered species on earth. It is estimated that there are almost less than fifty of them left. The Gobi Desert is a “cold desert” because it does not have extremely high temperatures. There are also plants in the Gobi. The Saxaul Tree is probably the most important plant on the Gobi because it is the only source of water in the Gobi Desert The Gobi is one million and two-hundred and ninety-five thousand kilometer square. However, it is expanding at an alarming speed; this process is called desertification. The expansion of the Gobi Desert is mostly on the southern side that is closer to China. Three- thousand and six-hundred square kilometers of grassland in China is overtaken by the Gobi Desert every year. Gobi Wildlife ICHK-Hong Lok Yuen, Russell Pilard, Non-Fiction: Group 2

There are around 45 species of animals in the Gobi Desert. There are Snow Leopards to Gobi Bears to the Khulan and the Przewalski Horse.

Climate

The Gobi Desert has a harsh climate. In the daytime, it is scorching hot and at night, it is freezing at night so the animals have to be adapted to the climate. Most of the Gobi Desert is a rocky terrain. The climate in the Gobi Desert can be harsh with temperatures reaching as cold as minus forty degrees and as hot as fifty degrees celsius!

Animals

There are Przewalski horses, Snow Leopards, Gobi Bears, Khulan and Fennec Foxes. There are also Jerboas and Kangaroo Rats. They are rodents. The Przewalski horses’ lifespan is around 20-25 years and there is one foal every year. They were almost extinct in the 1990s but luckily they escaped extinction thanks to the conservationists. It is around 300cm long and weighs 350kg. The Gobi Bear is one of the rarest bears in the world. They only live in the Gobi Desert hence their name. They weigh up to 100kg and are 150cm. It is becoming rare because of the change of climate. The Jerboa is the smallest animal of the Gobi Desert. There are more than 10 species of Jerboa. They are around 35cm and they weigh 140g. The Snow Leopard is one of the rarest wild cats in the world. It is about 230 cm. The female weighs 45kg max but the male weighs 55kg max. The Khulan (aka Wild Ass) can run up to 65 km/h and lives in a herd of 500. It weighs 260 kg and is 2.5m long. It is an ancestor of the donkey. The Asiatic Ibex lives for about 17 years. They weigh 130kg and they are 165cm long. The Bactrian camel can be tamed. It can weigh an astounding 1000 kg and can be 3m long. The Gray Wolf might be the fiercest animal in the Gobi Desert. It is 130cm long and weighs 45 to 80kg. The Gold Eagle is the fiercest animal in the Gobi Desert but in the air. It is 102 cm long and 430kg. The Musk Oxen weighs around 280kg and is 210 cm long. The Plate-Tailed Gecko can dig holes up to 3 feet deep. It has two clutches of eggs each year. The Marbled Polecat weighs 715g and it is around 65 cm. The Goitered Gazelle can travel 30 km in winter but can only travel 3 km in summer. They weigh 33-40 kg and are 160 cm long This was a brief summary of interesting facts about animals of the Gobi Desert. They are mostly nocturnal and some are predators while most are herbivores. In my opinion, the three most dangerous animals in the Gobi Desert are the Gold Eagle, the Snow Leopard and the Gray Wolf. The Gobi Desert Kingston International School, Coey Chu, Non-Fiction: Group 2

he Gobi Desert is in China and normally China isn’t that warm. The Gobi Desert can be up to 122 Fahrenheit in the day and a little as -44 degrees at night. Gobi is a very cold place because the Himalaya range blocks rain-caring could reach the Gobi. So you really see snow in the Gobi Desert. People who live there drink a drink that comes from the sap of a Tplant called the desert spoon. The drink is called spool. People also eat meat and also some plants. Sometimes you can get sunburn over there when it is in the morning or the afternoon. The Gobi Desert is a large desert region of northern China and Southern Mongolia, with an average attitude of 3000 feet (900m) above sea level and a temperature range from below 0 to over 100 degrees. Gobi Desert is a very nice place to know different kinds of animals. It is also a very good place for people to meet new friends. At Gobi Desert people may see different plants there, for example, cactus, flowers and also a lot more other plants too! Most animals in Gobi Desert have a really good life because they can find food easily and also the true love of people to them. Gobi Desert can be a very good place to let different animals relax or have fun with other kinds of animals too. At night Gobi Desert may be super cold, even it is so far away from North Pole. So many people who live there might want to get ready early so they will be warm when it is in the night. To the west of Gobi Desert it is Takala Maken Desert. Both of them are so close to each other and if you find it in a map it is very similar like that they are together! But sometimes there will be a danger in Gobi Desert there will be a 7 inches of rain each year. Many people agree to live in Gobi Desert but there will be some people who disagree to live over there. It is because animals might have got sick which can make most people get sick. Doctors and nurses in the hospital might work more than 24 hours because there might be more patients. Well, there are many animals in Gobi Desert. The animals that nobody knows and it is a beautiful desert that no one has actually seen before in his whole life. It is the only desert that people can really see much more animals then other deserts. Animals can really be pets for people just like our home. In the future of Gobi Desert has a hospital for animals and pet it will be much better to let people and pets having a better life. Gobi Desert can really be a desert that near Mongolia and the most delighted place where Gobi Desert is actually in Gan Shu because Gan Shu is a desert that it is in the middle of Northern China and the Southern Mongolia. Thousands of people live in the Gobi Desert. Many of them are poor and homeless. People in Gobi desert normally nomads which is a name for people who do not live in a permanent place but rather move from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land. The Gobi people rely on animals and underground water sources to be alive. The Gobi Desert affects many people as it is all time changing climate. When it is winter the desert has to protect their camels from wolves! In Gobi desert people normally speak Chinese to communicate with each other. People usually wear light weight muzzling clothes. They are usually white to reflect heat and keep the people look cool. I think that Gobi Desert is really a great place to let scientists know more about animals’ history. I wish Gobi Desert will have more plants to grow in the future and have more oxygen to let people and animals have healthier bodies to be more alive! Yet if Gobi Desert has a forest people and animals will never think Gobi Desert is a very dangerous place to go to a short or a long adventure if Gobi Desert might be warmer the earth might be very dangerous to let people or the Nature being survive for a long, long time! There are wild camels, snow leopards, also some Gobi bears, Gobi grey wolves or just normal wolves. Animals like lizards and some bugs living there, so if there are a group of dead animals, bugs will eat them so the Gobi desert will be much cleaner. In Gobi desert some animals are just so cute to let you take them back home. Animals that live there really are being helpful to their host even animals have not been treated. For example, like camels, people can help their own host to carry things and also when the host of the camel is tired the host can sit down at their own animals so that they can take a rest! Gobi desert can affect people a lot, because people who live there can really have a better live. Example: they have a really big farm to grow crops and fruits, their foods can really make people can’t believe because the foods are very delicious! It is amazing that those hard working farmer in Gobi desert really can grow those crops in different way. In Gobi Desert I have found that each desert has its own positive things, yet people can learn new things from each other and also become new friends with each other! Animals that live there will have to take care of themselves if the animals have not had their hosts yet. Shortlisted

The Gobi Desert Kingston International School, Kinsey Fong, 9

he Gobi means “waterless place” in the . It has several alternative Chinese names, including sha-mo (sand desert) and han-hal (dry sea). The 500,000 square miles (1,294,994 sq km) Gobi Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world. It is a huge desert T in Asia. It covers part of northern and northwestern China, and of southern Mongolia. Eco-regions of the Gobi Broadly speaking, the scientists divide Gobi into five distinct dry ecological regions: The Eastern Gobi desert steppe which covers more than 100,000 square miles at an elevation of 3,300 to 5,000 feet. The Alashan Plateau semi-desert which covers about 260,000 square miles. The Gobi Lakes Valley which covers about 53,800 square miles. The Junggar Basin (Dzungarian Basin) which has 117,500-square-mile expanse of the Alashan Plateau. The Tian Shan Range which covers about 49,800 square miles.

Climate The climate of Gobi desert is one of the great extremes, combined with the rapid changes of temperature of as much as 35 Degree Celsius (63 Degree Fahrenheit). This situation occurs within 24 hours. The Gobi Desert is extremely dry and cold, with frost and occasionally snow on its dunes, especially during the winter when the Siberian anticyclone is at its strongest. Total precipitation per year varies from less than 2 inches (5 cm) in the west and more than 8 inches (20 cm) in the northeast. Spring is dry and cold and summer is generally warm. In July the average high is 50 Degree Celsius (122 Degree Fahrenheit) in some areas.

Wildlife The Gobi is famous for its conspicuous wildlife, with some species now extremely rare. Some areas of the Gobi desert contain large numbers of dinosaur bones. Fossils of dinosaurs, such as the four-legged beaked Protoceratops, have been found eroding out of the desert hillsides for thousands of years. The snow leopards were found on the Tibetan Plateau but there are only about 4,000-6,000 snow leopards left on earth. Other mammals, including Bactrian Camels, jerboas, gophers, and black-tailed gazelles, brown bears, wolves, as well as birds, amphibians and various reptiles also survive in the Gobi desert. Because of its dry climate, grass, thorn-bushes and other shrubs grow there. Plants like yellow wood, bean caper, saxaul, winter-fat, and nitre bush can be found. These plants and animals have adapted to the harsh desert conditions and are able to survive with a little or even no water.

People and Cultures The Gobi had a long history of human habitat. Early people in the Gobi Desert were mainly nomads. Later, some of them changed into semi-nomadic way of life. Although the Gobi desert appears empty and barren, it has still served as a stage for ancient and legendary chapters in human history. For example, its soils hold fragments of stone weapons and tools of hunting and gathering nomads of 100,000 years ago. Ancient Mongolians were nomadic traders and herdsmen who traveled in groups and raised goats, cattle, camels, horses, and sheep. The animals provided them with meat, milk, transportation and wool. In the 12th century, Gobi became a part of the great Mongol Empire, and in the 13th century, its trails conducted the forces of southward, into China. These Gobi ancient people traded with people around them for grain, rice, tea, silk and other items. Its desert surface hosted part of the fabled Silk Road, a 4,000-mile long braid work trade routes that connected Asia and Europe for three millennia. Moreover, the Gobi’s ancient city of Karakorum became a center for Buddhist monasteries such as Erdene Zuu, which was built when the religion made its way into Mongolia during the 16th century.

Gobi Desert Nowadays At present, the people of the Gobi Desert are mainly Khalkha Mongols, Uighars and who live in family groups. At the edges of the Gobi, in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of the peoples of China, Han Chinese makes up the majority of the population. They are mostly farmers. There are a few small towns in the Gobi Desert, such as those along the Beijing- railroad. Motorized vehicles become popular, but still cannot replace the traditional forms of transportation. The Khalkha people still use the camels as their transportation. There are also administration centers, which provide special services like the children’s boarding schools for nomadic and semi-nomadic people so that their kids are not disrupted by the nomadic lifestyle of their parents. Some hospitals, post offices and a few hours electricity per day scheme are provided by the administration centers. Other natural resources in the Gobi desert include oil, salt, coal, petroleum, copper, and other ores.

Gobi Desert at Risk Gobi Desert is at risk today since all of the Gobi’s eco-regions have been affected negatively by the actions of humans. The unique plants and animals in Gobi desert are constantly under the threat from irrigation agriculture, industry, overgrazing, mining and other activities. Desertification is a major problem in the Gobi Desert. Since 1994, the Gobi Desert in China has expanded by about 25,000 square miles (64,750 sq km) and its sand storms are slowly encroaching on the of Beijing.

Conservation , scientists and environmental organizations are working hard to conserve and protect the Gobi Desert and they also spend a lot of time to study and understand the delicate balance of life in the Gobi Desert. The most recent plan involves the planting of the Green Wall of China in order to stabilize the soil and act as a barrier against the desertification. Laws have been passed to protect desert species, and certain areas of Gobi have been set as parks and nature reserves including Gobi Gurvansaikhan National Park, Great Gobi A and Great Gobi B strictly Protected Area. As the scientists and the environmentalists pay a lot of effort on learning more about the environment in the desert, we can also do our part by not polluting the beautiful cities along the Gobi. Winner

New Tales of the Gobi Desert , Carolyn Rong, Non-Fiction: Group 2

The Gobi is a desert spread between Mongolia and China. It covers hundreds of thousands of miles. Reading through the vast amount of information about the Gobi, I have come to a better understanding of its ecology and the joy and sorrow of its people.

Gobi: The Waterless Plains

When some people think about the Gobi, they imagine a scorching sun bearing down on lifeless sand dunes. Life does not exist here as the Gobi is uninhabitable. The truth is not far from that. In the past, the Gobi was home to the Khans, who conquered most of Asia and Europe. They never lost a battle for nearly a century. They were formidable and invincible. But their bravery was partly motivated by their search for more fertile land. Even today, the harsh environment is still taking a heavy toll on its inhabitants. In 2009, Mongolia had one of its coldest winters. Millions of cattle didn’t survive the murderous winter. The nomads struggled in a fierce battle of survival, with hardly any food or water, watching the death of the most important part of their livelihood. Trekking through the Gobi today, do not be surprised to come across human skulls and skeletons of cattle. Death loves to loom around and this is one of its favorite places on earth.

Gobi: The Treasure Land

But then, there is the other part of it. If you look really carefully, you would see the Gobi is actually full of life. Digging into the sand, you may see water drops sparkling under the sunshine. Plants, big or small, creep up between the rocks. Snow leopards, wild horses and Asses roam the land. Cattles graze leisurely and follow their owners obediently. Beautiful sunset announces the arrival of the night with tinkering stars decorating the pitch-black sky. But that’s not it. Underneath the rocks lie precious resources like gold, copper, oil and gas. People from all over the world come here to look for their share of fortune. In the distance, you see a Ger, the traditional round, portable tent made of wood lattice and heavy felt panels. The family dog is sniffing around with a sense of suspicion. Inside the Ger, there is a hearth in the middle, used for cooking and heating. There is an altar with photos of this happy family. A mother and daughter are sitting on a blanket, enjoying their tea and afternoon snack. The mother is drinking goat milk tea while her daughter nibbling on a piece of arrts, a fermented sun dried goat cheese. In the middle of the open space, the father and son are enjoying a ride together, not on the back of a camel but on their brand new motorcycle.

Gobi: Blessing or Curse?

The Gobi was supposed to be a beautiful place, with all its resources. People come in flocks to mine. But as the economy grows, the environment suffers. The air and water is contaminated with uranium from the mines. Cattle are now producing deformed babies. Cattle are living beings! How cruel is this to the mothers, producing a two- headed calf! How can these people survive? With so much radiation in our resources, will humans mutate too? Mining not only harms crops and animals, it also drains away water. This means even less water is around for the people. Many people refuse to admit the cost of mining. Some even say the water in the Gobi naturally contains traces of arsenic, selenium and even uranium. Watching the huge trucks moving the treasures away, I can’t help wonder, to the people of the Gobi, is this the blessing or the curse?

Bibliography

The Telegraph, The Gobi: Mongolia’s Desert Playground, Nigel Richardson Asia LIFE Magazine Edition: October 2009 Earth Island Journal, Mongolia’s Gobi Desert Increased Mining Raises Pollution Fears Encyclopedia Britannica High for Kids Shortlisted

A New Hope for Mongolia , Cyrus Chan, 10

hat were the main elements that made the Romans so powerful? They had celestial land, fertile soil to grow crops, channelled rivers for accessible transportation networks and a rich culture. Where else would you find another place with the similar factors? The Gobi Desert. The majority thinks that it is just an empty,W waterless land and without any kind of vegetation. However, the Gobi Desert has been underestimated greatly for its true capability for developments. In fact, Gobi is not like any ordinary desert; she has sufficient fertile land, rich in mineral commodities and rivers. The Gobi Desert should be able to make itself sustainable by utilizing their endowments like the Romans did to develop as an outstanding region in Asia.

A New thought of the Gobi Desert The Gobi Desert is situated between China and southern Mongolia which has many climatic contradictions. From being the third coldest to the second hottest desert in the world where you can see icy mountains and searing hot grounds. From the arid soil to the successful growth of grasslands. Despite these diverse weather transitions, animals and plants can still adapt to these extreme climates only receiving 8 inches of rain per year. Moreover, the nature of its land has many advantages because of its formation. Instead of merely being covered in sand, the Gobi Desert is full of bare rocks and cordillera mountains which act like a naturally formed defence mechanism to protect the area from potential attackers. More importantly, the Gobi Desert is notable for being part of the Silk Road for trading various profitable goods. The Silk Road is a financial platform for other countries to trade and the Gobi Desert is a favourable place to trade and gain riches. Also, the Gobi Desert sets a great landscape as a tourist attraction. Geographical location is an essential factor that points the success of a country’s future; The Gobi seems to have these naturally gifted components.

The Lifestyles of Mongolians “Rivers and lakes where people and cattle quench their thirst; This, this is my native land” said by the famous poet D. Natsagdorj. D. Natsagdorj is a Mongolian poet and has a memorial for this poem “My Native Land”. Rarely anyone in secondary school does not recite this poem. Mongols are civilians that are full of culture and traditional practices. This shows that Mongolians truly respect their indigenous culture and heritage. For example, there are some festivals like the famous Golden Eagle Festival that shows the hunting skills of Mongolian eagles when obeying their masters, usually nomadic. This valued and unique culture of Gobi has a positive influence on people’s behaviour and mindset of living which reflects on their personalities of being reserved, submissive and praising traditions. The harsh weather changes have a significant impact in the way they live and survive. One of the typical nomadic lifestyles is to move their tents called gers or yurts to different areas three times a year to avoid intolerable weather. Though it is cumbersome, the inhabitants are in fact content with their primitive lifestyle relying heavily on animals and limited natural resources. As a person you would preferably associate with friendly, welcoming and trustworthy people who are very much like the Mongols. Gold Under your Feet Mongolia is very famous for being called “Minegolia” or the “The Last Frontier”. It is called that because of the immense amount of valuable minerals beneath the ground in the Gobi Desert which can make the Eiffel Tower 16 times! If the Mongols keep collecting the new resources they have, Mongolia can be one of the most resourced countries in the world. The inhabitants mainly work for the mining industries that collect coal, iron, copper and gold minerals. These resources are then shipped to several places which have bid for the extraction rights such as the , places around Europe and China as their main buyer. If this way of managing the resources continues, the Gobi Desert may just be a mere place for others to exploit. The mismanagement of resources is not idealistic due to the loose restrictions on extraction rights. A better way to manage this problem is to give a fixed quota on the extraction rights to foreign multinational corporations. That way Mongolia can keep most of its resources to gain higher bargaining power over other competitors. It is believed that if they take full advantage of their resources, they are more likely to speed up their economic growth and soon become the leader of this industry.

Conclusion In the result of the Gobi Desert being a gifted place with bountiful rich resources. Those mentioned factors are the most important components to help the Gobi Desert’s future. Generally, Gobi is perceived to be useless and idle but never just judge a place by its appearance because you will not be able to see the whole picture of what it truly is like. Even though all these beneficial factors are given, they still have to learn how to use them correctly to help them. If they can do that, the Mongolians can then take full advantage so in the end it can give them power. This power can help Mongolia’s economy, become a better place and assist the country’s development. This is an opportunistic perspective for what Gobi could be. Once Gobi can utilize its full potential, she can become a leading country in the world for resources.

References:

“From Mongolia’s Wild West to the Gobi Desert.” Adventure Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. “Gobi Desert Facts.” - Interesting & Amazing Information On Gobi Desert. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. “Gobi Desert.” Gobi Desert. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. McMahon, Mary, and Bronwyn Harris. WiseGeek. Conjecture, 03 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. “The Gobi Desert: Facts and Information.” Interesting Information for Kids, Pupils, Parents and Teachers. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. “The Gobi Desert.” : Location, Landscape. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. “Unique Facts about Asia: Gobi Desert.” Unique Facts about Asia: Gobi Desert. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. Watts, Jonathan. “Gobi Mega-mine Puts Mongolia on Brink of World’s Greatest Resource Boom.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 08 Nov. 2011. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. “What Is a Ger? And Other Mongolian Cultural Traditions.” The Mongol Ger and Other Mongolian Cultural Traditions. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. The Gobi Desert Singapore International School, Chan Tin Nok, Non-Fiction: Group 2

hen you hear the word “desert”, you usually think of large, never ending expanses of hot sandy land, occasionally dotted with lush green cacti and almost no wildlife at all. Well, deserts are usually teeming with strange and exotic life...if you know where to look. The Gobi Desert is no different, except that it is an arid coldW desert, due to its location in the North and height, which is around 1520 meters from sea level from its higher areas. Estimated to be 1,295,000 km² large, the Gobi Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world and the most anhydrous area in Asia. Occasionally, albeit rarely, frost or even snow can be seen capping the topmost of the tallest dunes. Even so, it is still considered by most experts as a desert, as it fulfills the requirement of having an average of less than 10 inches of rainfall per year. [J1] Despite the frigid winters and scorching summers with the temperatures bouncing up and down from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit respectively; the Gobi Desert is surprisingly bursting with hidden life. The soil is of the sandy type, dry and nutrient-lacking. One of the most vital plants is the Saxaul tree. Since the Saxaul tree stores water in its reserves behind a thin yet firm layer of bark, both the animals and humans in the Gobi rely on it as one of the scarce sources of water among the sand. Another plant, the Saltwort, lives in a specific region of the Gobi, as it is able to withstand the high salt content in the unique Salt Desert region. Described to be weed-like, the saltwort plant is one of the rare plants with the ability to thrive in the Salt Desert. Only the toughest animals can call the Gobi its abode. One of them, the smallest in the sandy and rocky expanse, is the jerboa. Equipped with powerful hind legs like a miniature kangaroo’s, it can travel up to ten feet with one leap. Another advantage would be the long tail it has to keep its balance upon the rocky landscape of the Gobi. The snow leopard which habits the cooler areas of the Gobi, is known for its beautiful fur coat, which is white in color with rosettes (little dark gray and black spots) all over their powerfully built bodies, except for both the underside of the throat and the belly of this magnificent creature. According to research, they used to be extremely abundant, yet when the human population began to increase, the number of these majestic creatures have gradually dwindled. The nomadic people who live in the Gobi are almost completely isolated from the rest of the world, and thus have developed their own culture. Their unique lifestyle is ever-changing; they follow their herds’ movement, as the animals can lead them to better pastures. They live in a ger, which is simply a perfectly round tent made with a wooden lattice and panels. And instead of water, the nomads drink mostly milk from their own goats, camels, and cows. A traditional meal of the nomads is mutton soup with noodles, which is paired with a warm glass of milk. Wood carving is an interesting aspect of their culture, The nomadic people of the Gobi Desert are extremely versatile and are able to cope with the many hardships the Gobi throws at them. A famous tale, the story of Marco Polo’s travel down the Silk Road, well known throughout the continents, talks of an Italian man, Marco Polo, who travels from his hometown, Venice, and goes to China via the ancient Silk Road, which is a transcontinental trade route which connects China, , the Uighur Empire, Persia, , Arabia, and Europe, with silk, gold, jade, carpets, ivory, and spices respectively with Jesus and the Bubonic plague from Europe. The Silk Road goes along the Gobi Desert, and many traders had to cross the extreme and harsh environment to get to their destination. Many have succumbed to the cruel monster of the Gobi. A place of cruelty, harshness, and destruction, yet a place home to diverse culture and wildlife, the Gobi is a unique and intriguing environment. Yet, due to the effects of harmful human activities, the Gobi Desert is slowly expanding in the region of China through a process known as desertification. Violent sandstorms are now becoming more and more frequent, and the mortality rate in the Gobi due to sand and dust storms is gradually increasing. We can help prevent human deaths by reducing the amount of pollutants released into the air by car emissions and aerial factory waste. This will help preserve the majestic wonder of the Gobi and all the wildlife, nomadic civilisation, and diverse plants that all live in the Gobi Desert. Shortlisted

The Song of the Gobi St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary School, Laetitia Cheung, 10

ave you ever heard an acapella symphony of whistles? Have you ever listened to a chorus of barking puppies? Or walked one step and set off a booming avalanche? Out of the barren heat of the desert, out of the bumping and rubbing of fine smooth grains of sand, springs a mysterious song – the song of the Gobi Desert. HOver 1,200 years ago, the ancient Chinese first described singing dunes at the Hill of Sounding Sand, located in a line of sand dunes leading to : ‘This hill has strange supernatural qualities. Its peaks taper up to a point, and between them there is a mysterious hole which the sand has not been able to cover up. In the height of summer the sand gives out sounds of itself, and if trodden by men or horses, the noise is heard many tens of li (Chinese kilometer) away ...’ Tun Huang Lu, a manuscript, recorded. Like curious boys and girls, the ancients climbed up this hill to experience a new song on festival days: ‘On Tuan Wu Day (Dragon Boat Festival), it is customary for men and women to clamber up to some of the highest points and rush down again … which causes the sand to give forth a loud rumbling sound like thunder. Yet when you come to look at it the next morning the hill is found to be just as steep as before.’ Over the centuries, singing sand has aroused the curiosity of explorers, emperors and scientists – from Marco Polo and Afghan Emperor Baber to Charles Darwin. Yet this phenomenon remains a mystery, with scientists unable to agree on an explanation for the strange whistling or booming. What makes a sand dune sing? If you scoot down the slopes of certain sand dunes, you may hear the sands roar or bellow like a tuba blowing a deep groaning hum. Others describe it as the sound of a propeller plane flying right over your head. Do you know how the motion of these sandy oceans affects the pitch of the singing sands? There are several different theories about how sand produces sound. Scientists have observed that certain conditions must come together. The sand grains are round and small, with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The sand is rich in silica. And a certain wetness or humidity surrounds the grain. In other words, singing or booming doesn’t occur on all desert dunes. Booming only happens when conditions are hot and dry, and when the sand grains are clean, round and polished. One of the first explanations came from a British commanding army officer, Ralph Bagnold, based with his troops in North Africa during World War II. Bagnold proposed a simple mathematical model to describe the dunes’ songs: the high or low pitch of sound was proportional to the speed of the sand grains sliding down the dune, just like what happens in an avalanche. He also observed that the higher the note produced, the smaller the size of the sand grain. Between 2001 and 2004, two French scientists, Bruno Andreotti and Stephane Douady studied crescent-shaped dunes known as barchans in Morocco. They accidentally set off avalanches that triggered a booming sound. They observed that sound waves were produced when two grains of sand bumped over each other. They soon disagreed over the source of the booming. According to Douady, booming was caused by friction – the synchronized rubbing between similar sized grains. But Andreotti believed it was caused by sound waves bouncing back and forth between the moving upper surface of the avalanche and the still part of the dune, which created an echo or amplification of sound. Whether the sound was described as booming, roaring or squeaking, scientists observed that the pitch of the note, from 60 to 105 hertz, was controlled by the rate of collision between the moving upper and lower still surface of a dune. Scientists have spent countless hours investigating the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of singing sands. However, there is one paradox they cannot explain. Why does a grain of sand, by itself, not sing? Why does it need a nymph to arouse its song? Why does sand need a partner to dance with? Perhaps this was part of the mystery that intrigued explorers and scientists of past centuries. Perhaps it was the chance stumbling upon these songs that captured the imaginations of boys and girls, royalty and pilgrims. Yet, beyond any doubt, it is the joy of discovery that has and will continue to intrigue scientists and philosophers for ages to come. The Guide To The Gobi Desert Yew Chung International School - Primary Section, Ryan Yu, Non-Fiction: Group 2

he Gobi Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world. It is in Mongolia, but also parts of North and North-western China. It is over 1,600 kilometers long and 800 kilometers wide. Altogether, it is approximately 1,280,000 square kilometers. TThe Gobi Desert has several unexpected Chinese names, including sha-mo (sand desert) and han-hal (dry sea). The word Gobi means “waterless place”. It is a cold desert. It can get as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit and in summer, it can get as hot as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme temperature can have rapid changes even within 24 hours. Instead of getting rain, it sometimes snows. The Gobi Desert’s average rainfall is less than eight inches per year. It is made out of rocks and gravel. Only 5% of the Gobi Desert is covered with sand dunes, but the Gobi Desert is still expanding every day. Some people call the process desertification because the desert is taking over much land with trees and plants that are fertile. People have been planting trees and plants in a line at the edge of the Gobi Desert to stop the Gobi Desert’s expansion. This is called the Green Wall of China. Wind speeds in the desert can get up to 85 miles per hour. The Gobi Desert is the place where many plants, animals and even fossils are found. The plants that grow in the Gobi Desert are wild onions and saltworts. However, the most important plant in the desert is saxual trees. It is the only source of water available in the midst of the desert. The animals that can be found include snow leopards, brown bears, wolves, camels and Gobi Bears. Animals like black-tailed gazelles, Mongolian wild ass, sandplovers and jerboa can also be found. The jerboa is the smallest animal in the Gobi Desert. It is like a small kangaroo, but can leap a long way. They also have a long tail like a kangaroo that helps them keep their balance on the rocks. Another animal is called the snow leopard. As the human population has grown in the desert, animals like snow leopards die out. So now snow leopards are on the Endangered Species list. Fossils can have been found on the land of the Gobi Desert, including the first dinosaur egg. The people that live there now are mostly Mongolian people or Han Chinese. Before this time was the nomadic people. Nomadic people are those that move around a lot, searching for better places to stay. When their food runs out in one place, they have to find another place to find food again. These people need to grow their own food to live. They most often grow tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, and peppers. The Gobi Desert is a beautiful place to visit. Non-Fiction Group 3 Shortlisted

The Forgotten Part of The Gobi Desert , Nicole Woo, 12

ne’s first impression upon hearing about the Gobi Desert is a mysterious waterless and vast place, deadly terrain sizzling with extreme temperature, and rural land covered by rock and gravel. As time goes by, more and more people start to discover, little by little, this magnificent desert. Together with the improvement of humanity, people are Oawakened to consider their surroundings more. For instance, when you are hungry, you won’t care whether the steak is well cooked or not. Now, people in general are having a modernized and improved quality of life, where we’re enjoying the comfort of our life, starting to worry about the environment, the climate, and even the other animals in our planet. Having said that, just imagine “Our Surrounding” is the desert, and “Basic Human Needs” is the main course, then you can easily understand what I mean. Nowadays, the environment, the climate and endangered animals are all the hottest topics that people will talk about in any occasion, such as in school, in the office and even in family gatherings. But indeed, are we doing the right thing? Is our focus put on the right place? Today, I’m going to share with you some of my interesting findings, facts that nobody has asked, discussed and cared about. All of this started with an article from a web-site called blogs. smithsonianmag.com.

February 8, 2012 Who Was the First to Discover Dinosaur Eggs? The American adventurer, Roy C. Andrews, has found a fossil dinosaur egg in the Gobi Desert, which means a long long time ago, there were dinosaurs in the Gobi Desert. In my own opinion, Gobi Desert is the land of “unknown” and “Unseen” – even men’s footprints are rare. Some people even say that Gobi is the Area51 in China, you can easily see a UFO flying over your head. But regardless to those sci-fi novels or conspiracy theories, the discovery of the dinosaur eggs means something else to me - the extinct spices in our world. If we don’t want to see the endangered animals follow the same destiny of the dinosaur, we should do something more constructive today before it is too late. Gobi Desert is a cold desert that it doesn’t have the desired living environment for any kinds of animal. Therefore, only a handful of animals can be found in this rural area, to name them all: Camel’s thorn, grasses bactrian bamel, gazelle, gerbil, jerboa, lizards and Gobi bear. Judged by the risk of extinction, none of them matches the Gobi Bear. Unlike the cuddly panda or sweet- looking polar bear, the name of Gobi Bear does not sound loud enough to draw anyone’s attention. But according to the statistic research done by Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment and Green Development, there is only 22 Gobi bears left in the world. In the other words, pandas outnumber Gobi bear by 70 times. The situation of the forgotten Gobi bear is similar to an ant that is stuck in the dance studio with a school of 10-12 year old tap dance students. In terms of rarity, you can easily browse the internet and discover that none of the green sites have mentioned the Gobi bear. You may ask why it’s happened, let’s zoom in the picture and I believe the reasons can be concluded in the following :

1. Accessibility of the origin Unlike any other kind of endangered animal, Gobi bear is populated in Gobi Desert, where its’ harsh environment challenges people for access. It is harder for us than Harry Potter finding the secret platform 9 ¾ accessed through the brick wall barrier between platforms 9 and 10 at King’s Cross Train Station, the starting point of the Hogwarts Express to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

2. The appearance Gobi bear looks like the Himalayan Brown Bear where you can easily find it in northern and North America. Even though the brown bear’s range has shrunk and it has faced local extinctions, it remains listed as a least concern species by the IUCN with a total population of approximately 200,000. So, people are sometimes confused and don’t pay attention on the forlorn Gobi bear. But, don’t be fooled by their appearance even though they look similar to Brown Bear.

3. Study and knowledge of the species Gobi bear is understudied and people don’t have a lot of knowledge on this species. You will agree with me if you try to browse the internet or library for Gobi bear’s information, you will find that it will be easier to find information on Giant panda than Gobi bear. The golden rule states “less information you can find means less people care about it”.

4. Natural Resources VS Endangered Animals Large copper and gold deposits located at Oyuu Tolgoi, about 80 kilometers from the Chinese border into Mongolia, are being investigated for development as mining operations. In the developing country, like China or Mongolia, the value of mining is way more important than protecting the endangered animal. Like Van Loon said in his book – The Story of Mankind : “The history of man is the record of a hungry creature in search of food” . We, the wisest animal in the earth, keep on destroying our nature just to optimize our benefits. After listing out those factors about Gobi bear, you may ask – What can we do to save them ? There is no straight answer to this question, because it is hard to locate Gobi bear from the Gobi desert. Try to imagine, how hard it will be to find a needle from the deep blue ocean? There is only 22 Gobi bears in an arc of land 1,295,000 km² (500,000 sq mi). But, is it the end of discussion to this topic or just hope a miracle will come and save them? With respect to Gobi Bear, I would say there’s hope — if we care. Learning from what we have done on Pandas in China, we can do something similar. We can build reserves across Gobi Desert and start necessary measures to save endangered Gobi bears. First, and the most ideal, is to protect their habitats. Second is to work with zoos and research centers to increase the captive Gobi bear population through breeding programs. Last but not least is the combination of the first two measures, namely to release captive-bred Gobi bear back to the wild to enhance wild Gobi bear population while protecting their natural habitats. If you want to know how soon we can take the Gobi bear from “almost extinct” to “least endanger”, here below is the math game which we can try out and it will give you the answer.

1. Think about a number from 1 to 9. 2. Double the number. 3. Add 26 to the result. 4. Divide the result by 2. 5. Subtract the original number. 6. Convert this into a letter of alphabet : A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, J=10, K=11, L=12, M=13, N=14…….. Z=26. 7. Think of the name of a country in North Asia (below) which starts with this letter. 8. Think of an animal whose name starts with the country’s fourth letter. If the answer you have is “Giraffe in Mongolia” then it means it still has a long way to go. But, if one day, you are given the answer “Gobi Bear in Mongolia”, then congratulations, we have made it!

The extinction of dinosaurs is due to the change of climate, so they were killed naturally. However, the situation with the Gobi bear is another completely hair-raising story. It is due to the juvenile and nonsense of human beings - furtive hunting, harvesting, poaching and an increase in illegal mining are all the causes of this phenomenon. So, in order to halt it, we ought to put laws in place and at the same time, educate the people on the importance and emergency of this act. As we come to the end of this story, you should be hammered by this strong message. Concerted action now can reverse the Gobi bear’s “final countdown” into a countdown to end the ignorance about it. Such inspiration would be a tribute to the thousands of species that went extinct because of us. Saving the Gobi bear will mean that we are not helplessly regretting the mistakes of our past or indifferently shrugging off the issue, but that we are learning from them and aspiring to become better, less destructive beings. If indeed human beings were the greatest catalysts in the extinction of the Gobi Bear, what more can or should be said, but that our generation has been impoverished by the unnecessary loss of this very unique and very mysterious animal. Bibliography:

Who Was the First to Discover Dinosaur Eggs ? Dated February 8,2012. http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/dinosaur/2012/02/who-was-the-first-to-discover-dinosaur- eggs/#ixzz2gGr8Ltyv

Year of Protecting Mazaalai – the Gobi Bear http://www.unep.org/wed/hostcountry/mazaalai.asp

Gobi bear http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobi_Bear

Animal facts: Gobi bear http://www.helium.com/items/2214516-animal-facts-gobi-bear Gobi Desert Fiction Story Forever Young in the Moonlight Internation Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School, Madeline Chung, Non-Fiction: Group 3

he preoccupied black wolf watched in awe as the majestic she-wolf stalked by him. First he saw her long front legs and beautifully shaped paws. Next, he admired her adoring motherly muzzle. To the black wolf, she was the only one on the planet and didn’t notice her tail flicking his face while she teased him. TIt was love at first sight, a fairytale above any other fairytale. But there was a problem; the white wolf couldn’t be confined with the Nomadic People like the rest of the working wolves. She needed freedom and space. So for love, the black wolf decided to leave. The landscape never looked so different and empty to the Nomadic People. Their beloved alpha wolf was leaving them and never coming back. Together with the white wolf, the black alpha bounded into the fading salmon pink sunset. The two clashed and matched perfectly, they were two halves of a whole, they were shadows and light, and they were side by side in love, leaving to start a pack of their own. The Nomads watched the heart-warming scene with smiles on their faces, and then returned to their ever-changing lives. Ranger Ron silently watched as the two wolves struggled for life. They looked bone thin and the ranger could see their ribs through their thin layers of skin and fur. They traveled across the sandy dunes like a pack of wolves, not slowing for each other and staying close to put others’ lives above their own. Well, they did until the black wolf collapsed. With the love larger than our sun, the white she-wolf curled tightly next to the body of her unresponsive mate. She nudged his muzzle with her own, trying to wake him. He didn’t budge an inch because he was already gone. When the white wolf realized she had to give up and that her mate was gone, her whole body shook raggedly with every uneven breath she took. When the ranger lifted the alpha onto his shoulder, the white wolf’s protests were loud but weak, like her health. When the party of two plus dead weight approached the cabin stationed beside a small oasis in the hot desert, Ranger Ron dropped the heavy black corpse to the ground and groaned in relief. Then he sauntered into his empty cabin while stretching his back. The white wolf licked her dead mate’s ears then gracefully stepped into the ranger’s cozy cabin. The ranger watched her with wary and practiced eyes. When the she-wolf’s eyes met his, there was no fear, just understanding. They fell asleep together on Ron’s comfortable couch. Her head was in his lap, and they were the image of contentment. When the stars shone at their brightest, the she-wolf started to twitch in her peaceful sleep. She was taken by a dream. Her proud mate was alive and well and she was looking at him with all the love in the world. Then, the black wolf slowly fell to his death and all the she-wolf could see were the tears spilling out of her blue eyes. She tipped her head back and howled, filling the nightmare with her own grieving cry. The Nomadic People, wanderers of the Gobi Desert plains, were officially lost. They took a risk, choosing to go further north, instead of heading to the east, and now they would pay for their foolish choice. The Nomads thought of their fate as a sign and therefor accepted it calmly. Slowly passing from starvation and cold, the Nomads fought against cannibalistic thoughts. They also set their wolves free, thinking if anyone could survive, it’d be the wolves. No matter the weather, or the state their bodies were in, the Nomadic People continued their climb over the next mountain, never stopping, stubborn until their deaths. With only a few left living, the last Nomads breaths were uneven and ragged, each sending hot clouds into the icy air. As the last standing, the woman looked up into the sky and sent out a short prayer before falling back into the snow and becoming a corpse, lying beside her family and friends. Matt wasn’t a bad person, he just wasn’t cut out for environmentalist work and being a ranger. But he couldn’t express himself and tell others his hatred of the job he was forced to do, so he sent them a loud and clear message, making them regret ever choosing him as an apprentice ranger. Matt ripped the trees out, not caring about the desert’s life, or what the desert did to the land outside it’s borders. He just wanted to escape his unwanted burden and the only way he could think of was to get the rangers to hate him. Matt was selfish but he didn’t even care. Matt knew about what was happening to the desert, desertification, they called it. But all it was to him was a long, fancy word. Ron woke with a white wolf snoring on his chest. First, he was utterly confused. Then the feelings and memories of yesterday’s evening came flooding back to him. Oh, he thought. Love was in his eyes when he looked at the she-wolf. Finally, he woke her gently and prepared some food for their journey. Ron had to finish what he started when he first saw the wolves. It’s bright, was the ranger’s first thought once he and his companion were out the door. He glances at her, only to find her looking up at him. He held her gaze and decided her name. Shala. He would name her Shala. Matt anxiously stole a peek at his window and instantly regretted it. Outside stood his mentor and a large, intimidating wolf. He knew he was barely good enough to compare with his mentor at mastering nature and saving wildlife. But what Matt didn’t know, was the reason behind it. Matt was uncaring and didn’t give it his best. Nature knew this, making it impossible for Matt to master being a ranger. Shala wanted to bark at her close companion. His pacing and muttering drove her nuts and made her want to howl away her hearing. But instead, she sat patiently while her eyes followed the ranger back and forth. The ranger stood across Matt, a large gap separating them both. “Why?” the ranger inquired, “Why did you do it?” Matt sneered then answered his old mentor, “To get away from it all. I hate it. I was born to do something else. The Gobi isn’t for me.” “The Gobi is for everyone.” And with that, the ranger stood back and watched as Shala jumped the gap and landed four paws on Matt’s chest, knocking him to the ground. Underneath Shala, Matt clawed at the sand, gasping for breath. Shala leaped off Matt at the very last moment, leaving Matt hurling down the canyon into the river below. The two watched as he exploded into the wide river, screaming his lungs out the whole time. The two watching above made eye contact, and sent each other gazes of understanding. Even if the ranger was the main cause of Matt’s disappearance, he was still upset. Matt was a good person, if you ignored his small disputes. The ranger spoke rather softly; unaware they would be his last words, “Let’s go, Shala.” The tall white wolf gazed into the ranger’s dark brown eyes in response. Together they walked peacefully back to his cabin, the moon shining brightly above them. Here, father time painted another photo, one of a man and wolf living in peace and love, setting off under the young moon. It is hope you must never lose, For you are young. You are forever young in the moonlight. While you walk steadily on the moonlit path, You are forever young and infinite. Matt Sand was lost. He didn’t know where he was, or who he was. He fell back onto the sand by the fast flowing river and fell asleep below the burning sun. When Matt woke, there was a shadow blocking him from the sun. He looked up and found a beautiful girl with long, dark red hair. “You’ll get heat stroke like that. What’s your name? I go by Marina,” she kindly asked him then slowly trickled water into his mouth. “I-I don’t know,” Matt rasped. “You don’t know your own name?” She asked innocently. “You look like a Seth. I’m going to call you Seth.” And after amnesia, Matt became a new person, Seth. Seth and Marina grew old and happy together, never regretting anything. In the dead of night International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School, Ng Ka Chung Josephine, Non-Fiction: Group 3

bear growled in the dead of night, breaking the silence of Gobi Desert. That’s a warning for a foreigner plus loner like Daybreak. Normally she could fight a bear, but not in this foreign land where she didn’t even know where to step. Daybreak was a pretty female snow leopard with smoky grey as her based color peltA and black spots on top. Her shimmering black eyes glowed in the darkness and locked on the direction of where the bear growled. Her long tail straightened. Her jaws let go of her prey quickly. It must have picked up the scent of blood in the air. She licked off the blood on her mouth and her heart started to race. Lowering her body, she carefully retreated. Daybreak looked at her half-eaten prey for one last time with nostalgia and left. She couldn’t bear the risk of leaving a blood trail for the bear to track her. She found the sandy surface of the desert strange to walk on but she could manage that. When the growling of the bear slowly faded away, Daybreak immediately ran into the darkness. It was hard to run steadily with her left foot yelling in agony to her. Although this desert was as cold as her homeland, every step was like stepping on burning lava due to the pain. However that’s not the worst part- the sand was. The sand was getting into the wound that she received while hunting that delicious black tailed gazelle. Her front paw hurt because of the prey that she couldn’t even finish eating. Her stomach stopped grumbling but she still felt the need for food. This might be an average day for other snow leopard, but not for Daybreak. Before that sandstorm, everything was alright. Daybreak was a natural hunter, and she used to work together in harmony with her mate Afterglow. They could catch something to eat almost every day. Until that day, when that sandstorm came and killed him. He was gone and Daybreak was lost, she had no idea how she got to this deathful desert. Snow leopard was not meant to live in deserts. She would die if she didn’t go back to the place where she belonged. Daybreak slowed down a bit and lift her paw up. She licked away the sand and continued her journey. She must find a way back to her homeland. Daybreak couldn’t survive here. Imagine walking in burning sand every day with only little water. She was suffering a lot. Leopards were known to be tough animals, but she wasn’t used to this kind of place. Daybreak had been starving for at least two days because preys were scattered. Not to mention water. The last time Daybreak saw water was four days ago. She could only rely on the blood of the prey she caught to survive. Trotting back to the cave Daybreak found yesterday, she laid down on some plants. It’s sure cold at night, she said to herself. Daybreak started to groom her dusty fur. The fur on her tail tip was white, that was how she got her name. The fur was like the first beam of sunlight that appeared at dawn. It had only been a few days in this desert but Daybreak had already started to become thin. Daybreak started to see a slight contour of her bones. She sterilized her wound with her licks and went to sleep. Waking up to the massive amount of light in the mouth of the cave, Daybreak set off to continue her journey. Daybreak thought she could smell the freshness of plants. There must be water around that area. Never thought she would be happy to smell that. Daybreak let out a small purr. She only ate plants when she couldn’t find food in days, and the taste wasn’t pleasant at all. The closer she got to water, the closer she got home. Daybreak remembered that she had smelt this kind of freshness in the sandstorm. It was a very pale smell but Daybreak could remember it. Daybreak ran non-stop until she ran into a herd of black tailed gazelle again. She licked her lips. It was impossible for them to get away from her this time, she sneered. Daybreak sneaked up on them and waited for the right moment. They were having their meal, and the playful young ones that were chasing each other would be a perfect meal for her. They were coming closer. Five hundred meters. Two hundred meters. One hundred meters. One of the young gazelle in the group erected its ears and widened its eyes. It just noticed Daybreak. It wanted to alarm the others, but it was too late for that young gazelle. Letting out a purr of happiness, she dragged away the gazelle before the others decided to chase after her. She found a bush and hid in it, enjoying her prey. Young gazelle meat was the best, it was very juicy and she was no longer thirsty. Afterwards, she gained ground and picked up a scent. It was that strange freshness of plants again, but this time it was stronger. She mewed and jogged toward the scent. On her way she felt the wind brushed through her fur. She ignored the wind and proceeded. It was blowing stronger and stronger, sand was being blown up. She looked around and finally recognized the wind. A sandstorm was coming again. She growled, as if telling the sandstorm that it couldn’t hurt her again. She dashed with all the might she had after eating the gazelle and a race against time began. She ran into pile of sharp rocks and she leaped on them, trying to get away from the sandstorm as soon as possible. Sandstorm was not an enemy or prey with flesh and bones; it was only formed by a large pile of sand, yet it was very fatal, the only way she could think of now was. She must leave this place at once before it was too late. Sharp rocks, sand, hills, more rocks, sandy ground, more sand, hills built with sand… Each of those places she passed through consumed her energy. Increasingly each time. Daybreak knew she couldn’t take it anymore. If she ran any longer, she would die instantly. Her heart beat would be way too fast for her in less than sixty seconds. She must stop. She let out a massive growled. It was filled with hate and anger toward sandstorms. She slowed down and at a point; she stopped walking and gave in. She closed her eyes, letting the storm take her away. She thought she saw Afterglow again, who was purring softly at her. What she didn’t know was that an illusion or something was actually happening, but it didn’t matter now. Daybreak didn’t know how much time had passed. Hours? Days? Even weeks? She couldn’t tell. She wanted to get up, but it was quite hard. There was sand on top of her. She shook her body with the strength that was left inside her after the sandstorm. Finally, her body peeped out from under the pile of sand. It was a miracle that she was still alive. She was trembling. Trembling with weakness and hunger. Her once pretty face disappeared. What was left was the shell of Daybreak the snow leopard. She couldn’t recognize herself anymore. After a day of travelling, her energy was all gone. She couldn’t open her eyes. She only knew the moon would guide her. She stumbled over a boulder and she fell. Her face hit the ground and water splashed. Water splashed? Her chin felt the coolness of water. She struggled to open her eyes, and found a small puddle in front of her. She drank the water straightaway. It felt so good. The strength was getting back into her. After a short rest, she could walk again. There was a forest in front of her. Wow, she purred. She walked into it, and there was a bird flying right after she looked up. A scent leaded her further into the forest. She found some small desert mouse in the forest, and she ate them. It was great to finally have something in her stomach. Daybreak found a small cave and lived in it. This place was better than her homeland. It had open areas that she liked and a forest the she could hide in. She decided to live in this place, the new forest built by China in the China’s Great Green Wall Project. When she finally fell asleep, silence returned again, in the dead of night. Gobi Desert- Search for the Water Eye International Christian Quality Music Secondary and Primary School, Kau Min Xi, Non-Fiction: Group 3

t was a terrible sandstorm. All the landmarks had disappeared beneath a thick blanket of searing hot sand. A russet brown wolf tiptoed out from his shelter. Now, it should be he Moon of the Rain, but the sand that flew wildly on that day seemed to erase all signs of rain clouds. The Water Eye! Could it be gone? thought the wolf desperately as he tipped his head to Ithe sky. The droughts would soon come and Delgado had to find the water eye- a small lake- and live there until the storms come back, “Or would they ever come.” muttered Delgado. Since the landmarks were gone, everything was harder for the russet wolf. Delgado trotted off, trying to remember his bearings. The sun was unbearably hot but Delgado didn’t even stop, though his tongue was dry and his legs ached from the rough terrain. A faint tang of camel tainted the air. So far, that was the only thing he had scented for the day. A ball of flame sunk over the dunes. I must find shelter soon; it would be cold so far up here in the Gobi, thought Delgado. Making sure that the trace of camel was still on his scent glands, the russet wolf slunk wearily into a crevasse. A warm, mouthwatering scent hit Delgado before he even entered the crag of rock. Delgado licked his jowls, he stepped inside and in the darkening half- light, a limp rabbit lay dead on the floor, blood pooling around it’s skull. “Perfect! A bit scrawny but that’ll do.” The russet wolf tore into the rabbit, his eyes glittering a rich green, slanted with satisfaction. Delgado slept well that night, with a full belly and a well groomed pelt. When he woke, the first drop of dawn was blossoming in the sky, the clouds a fiery orange. He yawned and slipped out, ready to go. He followed the camel scent, crossing dunes and sheltering under palms- a rare treat in the Gobi. Finally, he reached a chain of tall, wind whipped dunes. The Chain Of Wind. It’s going to be easier if I go through a valley, thought Delgado, but in such a dry season, it was going to be a lot windier. “Well, here goes nothing.” Delgado gritted his teeth as he plowed against the whipping sand. Something bubbled and it stank of death, there were skeletons here and there with freshly fallen carcasses of animals littering the place. Then, it hit Delgado like a claw swipe- Of course! Quicksand, he thought, but how was the russet wolf going to get through? The wolf backtracked a few paces and ran, the wind piercing his fur and the blood roared in his ears. Suddenly, the wind changed course and Delgado soared through the sand choked air. “The wind! The wind is with me!” howled Delgado happily, who landed neatly on the other side. The journey was easy at this point when a heavy body collapsed onto Delgado’s back, sour smelling breath wafted to his nose. Rouges! The word exploded in the wolf’s head. He rolled onto his back and the weight was gone, he flipped back to his feet. A one-eyed sand colored wolf was snarling at him, it’s green eyes glittering menacingly. “I cannot outfight him but maybe I can outsmart him.” growled Delgado under his breath, he ran toward the direction of the quicksand, the other wolf snapping at his heels. With a howl, Delgado leapt but turned quickly in a backward walkover and landed on a dune, wind lashing at him. The other wolf made a sound between a terrified yelp and a frustrated snarl and landed in the quicksand, thrashing and writhing as it sank deeper into the sandy sludge. Delgado just ran down the hill without looking back. The Water Eye loomed in front of the russet wolf, lush shades of green welcomed him and a rich sapphire lake that looked like an eye glittered in the center. “The Water Eye!” howled Delgado jubilantly. He made it, truly made it; To the beautiful eye of the Gobi, the Beautiful eye of life and reward.

Note: The Gobi is expanding in a process of desertification. I hope that this story, which is about the last oasis in the expanding desert. Please take heed of this note and help conserve the environment. Thank you. The Food Chain International Christian Quality Secondary and Primary School, Tik Naomi Yin, Non-Fiction: Group 3

t’s a normal sunny day in the rough Gobi Desert. The heat rose from every single tiny golden sand, up straight to the sky. Hard to believe that the heat was actually from above. This may cost a little value for scientists to do research, but Howl didn’t care about it. He was just a young wolf who only thonght about how to gain respect or even status in the Ipack, like every wolf did. Under the dazzling sun, Howl was sniffing and tracking for any sense of a hare so that he could hunt it down and bring it back to the pack’s place. They had competition everyday. Whoever brought the most amount of prey back, that wolf would have a chance to be promoted in the pack. Howl was not a strong gray wolf at all, he had got an insensitive nose and a weak front leg, that made him a joke and a target to bully among the strongest and fastest wolf in the pack. Tonight, he couldn’t stand this anymore. “I’ve got to catch the biggest and fattest hare that the pack has never found!!” Howl said to himself. Suddenly, he smelled the juicy sweet smell of a hare. Not far from his current position. Soon Howl spotted his prey and began to lean closer and closer. The hare stopped crewing its food and bounced as fast as it could. “YOU ARE MINE!! I’M NOT GONNA LET YOU GO!!” Howl chased on. The hare escaped to the edge of a rocky slope, upon thousands of sharp rocks and gaps. It hopped down carefully between the stones. Howl ran as fast as he should. He caught up without a thought,until he saw what was down there, but it was too late. He slipped down from the slope and the corners hit his head and pierced his heart. The hare was safe, for now. It climbed back to its plant and started eating again. This slope was a place for death, simultaneously it was a place for living. In one of those tiny inconspicuous gaps, there lived an eccentric jerboa called Silvishia. She was old and stinky, hiding under the rocks and the light. One night she woke up and heard a big “BUP” sound and smelled the smell of flesh and blood. “Food!!” She yelled with her eyes glowing, crawled out from her cramped gap. Just several steps had already made her breathless, “Ah... Ah... I’m old now... maybe I should retire... a month... later...” Silvishia said to herself. Finally she reached the dead body of a young and unhealthy gray wolf. She tore the largest piece of meat that she could carry on her body and headed back to her gap. “Sorry to interrupt your lunch, madam,” A strong voice came in, it was a male jerboa, a totally stranger, an intruder. “GET OUT!!” Silvishia hissed. Claws out. “Hey, take it easy, madam. You will get a heart attack.” “I DON’T CARE, GET OFF!!” “Actually I wanna ask... Could you please share a piece of flesh with me?” The stranger said carefully. “... There’s a wolf, died just a moment ago, out there at the sharp rocks area. Quite a big wolf, at least it’s enough for you to stuff your stomach. Go out and get it. I don’t mind you having your meal here, but this piece is MINE,” Silvishia emphasized the word ‘mine’ intentionally, “don’t try to take it away.” “What?! Me? Risking my life to get it myself without being covered just for a little slice of gross dead wolf? NO!!! I’m way younger than you. I have a good future. You’re going to die at any moment anyway. Now listen, old granny, you go out and bring me the flesh.” The male jerboa licked his fur, he soon became twice of his actual size. “No boy, I won’t.” Silvishia stepped forward. “You wanna fight?” The male jerboa gave out a sly smile. Silvishia let out a hoarse roar. Two jerboas grappled and twisted each other’s ears and tails. Silvishia tried to scratch the male’s eyes, but the male bit her paws. Without her claws, Sivlishia couldn’t win. I WON’T SURVIVE THIS NIGHT, she thought, BUT IF I CAN’T EVEN SAFEGUARD MY OWN TINY GRANULE OF DIGNITY, I WILL REGRET FOREVER AFTER I DIED...... She began to struggle, bit her enemy without any thought. I HAVE BET ON MY OWN LIFE, I WILL NOT LET YOU SUCCEED!! Cold wind blew from the entrance of the gap. The night had came. Silvishia had lived in this gap for the rest of her life, she knew that the Mother Owl must be looking for food for her young and ever-hungry little birds by now, and a big fat juicy male jerboa would be the best choice. As expected, Mother Owl’s flapping sound floated into Silvishia’s torn ears. Silvishia was always scared of this sound, but now, she felt like she had been saved, filled with joy and pleasure. IT’S TIME. Silvishia told herself. Using her remaining strengths, she pushed the male jerboa out of the gap. The male jerboa landed heavily on the open space. Silvishia laid inside the gap, she was too tired to get up. She was safe and sound, watching the male jerboa being grabbed by Mother Owl, screaming for help. “Well well, actually I’m still capable to defend.” Silvishia whispered to herself. At this moment, all she wanted to do was to take a tiny little rest. Today was a lucky day for Mother Owl, her hungry babies should be less noisy like for an hour. She knew that being a mother was hard, so she was taking this job more seriously than other female owls over the Gobi Desert. She gently glide back to her nest, threw the half-dead jerboa to her babies’ wide open mouths. “Eat,eat, my babies so that you can grow strong.” Mother Owl whispered to her children with a soft, song-like tone. Soon Mother Owl had to leave her babies to find more food for them. The sun rose from the horizon, Mother Owl could feel the warmness which the sun brought on her feather. This reminded her she should head back to her nest and rest. Owls are nocturnal, they will get sleepy and be killed easily during daytime, but Mother Owl decided to hold on to her sleeping time a little bit longer. She must find more food. As time went by, Mother Owl couldn’t even get to know which direction she was heading to. Her eyes couldn’t focus. At that moment she seemed to smell the nasty smell of hunters, the next second she was shot, falling down from the unusually clear sky. Mother Owl was falling with her eyes looking towards the sky. She saw the grey-blue colour of the atmosphere. It was so beautiful. Mother Owl kind of regret what she had done these years, busing taking care of her new borns every year. She didn’t even have time to take a look at the amazing view which was always above her head, waiting for her to appreciate. Mother Owl wanted to integrate with the sky. With every centimeters she fell, she felt like she was approaching closer to the opposite. I WANT TO FLY TO THE CLOWDS, THIS IS MY ONLY WISH. Winner

Metamorphosis of the Gobi. Sha Tin College, Yi Lin Elin Chan, Non-Fiction: Group 3

hat is the first image that comes to mind when you hear the words ‘Gobi Desert’? I have always thought of the Gobi Desert as an amazingly hot region, where the scorching sun blazes 365 days a year. It is also an exceptionally serene place, where the stillness of silence can be both comforting and haunting. All you can seeW is fine golden sand and shapely sand dunes that stretch into infinity. All that reflects off the view are rich ancient memories, with its purity and archaeological treasures untouched by the poisonous elements of modern civilization. Sadly, all this is but a mere picture in my head. The reality is quite different. It might come as a surprise to many of us that the Gobi Desert is not filled with sand. It is, as a matter of fact, very rocky with some sand and a lot of rocks and gravel. The Gobi Desert has a total area of 1,300,000 square kilometers, which covers 33% of Mongolia and parts of northern and northwestern China. In recent times, the Gobi has been expanding, which is commonly known as desertification. At a rate of 3,600 square kilometers per year which equals to almost the size of Kent, Britain swallowing villages along its path and turning farmers and nomads into environmental refugees. Worse, its rapid growth is also sending ahead lots and lots of devastating sandstorms. On the other hand, the Gobi region today has a thriving mining, oil and gas, as well as tourism industry. The Gobi Desert is no longer the stereotypically poor area we once knew. The Mongolian government has made substantial efforts in collaborating with international petroleum and mining companies to convert their presence into economic development for the country. Similarly, the Chinese government has been actively drilling in its portion of the Gobi Desert in Xinjiang. As a result of the booming oil and gas drilling industry, the desert region is actually advancing in its economy, with generally better income, infrastructure, education and healthcare for the people living there. As the Chinese economy advances, its need for natural resources also increases. One of the many oil and gas companies with a presence in the Gobi region is China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (‘Sinopec’). According to the information listed on its website, Sinopec owns nine oil and gas exploration blocks in the Tarim basin, with a total exploration area of 28,500 square kilometers. In 2003, its geological reserves are estimated to be at 2.501 billion tons of oil, while prospectively, there might be an equivalent of 7.7739 billion tons of oil available. Four oil and gas fields in Tahe, Xidaliya, Yakela, and Dalaoba are under development. There are 648 wells in total, 536 of which are in production, thousands of Chinese workers had been employed and given a financially secure future. Not only is the oil and gas industry bringing great benefits to the Gobi region, but the many copper and gold mines as well as coal mines that have opened in the Gobi in recent years are also driving the desert economy. Included among them are Oyu Tolgoi (copper and gold) and Tavan Tolgoi (coal), which are considered two of the world’s richest mines. Rio Tinto, a world-renowned Australian mining company, has predicted that 36 million metric tons of copper and 1275 metric tons of gold to be produced by its mines in Mongolian Gobi for the next 40-50 years, generating over $8 billion per year. Being a joint venture and with the Mongolian government taking a share of 71% of the income, this project will account for more than 30% of the Mongolian GDP, thus giving an obvious boost to the local economy. 87% of the 18,000 workers in the mines are Mongolians. Clearly, adults are benefitting in the form of employment and higher standards of living, while the future of children and the less educated are also more promising as a result of the $146 million contributed by Rio Tinto towards schools and training programs. Thanks to all these industrial activities and foreign direct investments, Mongolia achieved the world’s fastest economic growth in 2011. To reach its target of tripling its economy by 2020, Mongolia has even more ambitious plans to become a major player in the production of shale gas, which has known deposits in the Gobi Desert. With rising prosperity, Mongolia has become particularly appealing as a tourist destination, particularly for the desert region. The Gobi tourism industry has developed rapidly, with hotels, resorts, and other supporting facilities springing up here and there. More local tour agencies are appearing, and more tourists are arriving to have a taste of the ‘romantic’ desert life. On July the 19th 2013, a luxury hotel ‘floating’ on the sand in the middle of the Gobi Desert opened for business. Visitors can slide down 110-meter-high sand hills which are angled at 45 degrees. As visitors enjoy the adventure, a loud roaring or booming sound can be heard, giving the phenomenon the well-known name of ‘singing sands.’ Overnight, the desert was transformed into a giant theme park. Of course, in the name of luxury, these hotels must have all the indulging facilities, such as a large swimming pool, a gym, a spa, and round-the-clock air conditioning, that any other high-end hotels around the world would have, and more. As more people enjoy the Gobi, grander construction projects are on the drawing board; more events, such as marathons and endurance races will be set up in the Gobi to promote the desert and attract even more visitors. With Xinjiang’s first high speed railway, a new 1776km line crosses a vast expanse of Gobi Desert will begin operation in 2014, giving tourists easier access in and out of the Gobi. This certainly sounds like another economic miracle for Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. Despite all the global attention Mongolia is attracting, all is not well in this once-isolated small country with an image of blue skies, happy nomads, and freely-roaming cattle and sheep. Negative ecological consequences are rearing their ugly heads as a result of all the human activities in the Gobi Desert. The extensive drilling and mining has caused massive amounts of sand to be trapped in the atmosphere; hence sandstorms are happening more often, bringing with them more sand than ever before. China is also a key victim of the process, with Beijing experiencing some of the worst sandstorms in history in recent years, rendering the sky a toxic concoction of smog and dust and visibility zero. As mentioned earlier, desertification is occurring at an alarming rate in the Gobi Desert. Underground water is depleted. Overgrazing has destroyed the biodiversity of the land. Plants and animals are dying or displaced, leaving many species special to the Gobi on the verge of extinction. Years of deforestation means there are insufficient trees acting as a barrier to prevent the sandstorms from travelling far and the Gobi from spreading. It is important to recognize that all these events are closely intertwined. Desertification occurs when an area is left bare and exposed to the great desert itself. The booming tourism industry described earlier is placing even more pressures on the fragile environment. A vicious cycle ensues and the whole ecosystem becomes unsustainable. Luckily, the destruction has not gone unnoticed. Years ago, China initiated a project known as the Green Wall of China in the hope of halting the advance of the desert. The goal is to plant a 4,480 km shelterbelt of trees across the border of the great desert in two phases. The first phase of the 73-year afforestation program came to an end in 2001. Since then, international experts have been carefully studying the effectiveness of the ‘wall’ in slowing the migration of the Gobi. Phase two is currently underway, with the government expecting it to be completed 2050. However, afforestation alone is not enough. Instead of exploiting our planet and depleting it of its natural resources, humans must learn to respect and work with the environment. If the new industries continue to be the driver of the new age of the Gobi, the insatiable demand for electricity and water would ultimately be a serious disaster for the local community. Since the Gobi is a desert after all, why not take advantage of the flaming sun and the powerful sandstorms to produce renewable solar and wind energy? Even though China has already started a number of these projects in the desert, more must be done to ensure the viability of the mighty Gobi. With the desire and determination to protect our environment, we can work together to turn the Gobi Desert into a sustainable and, simultaneously, a fast growing region in the world. Someday, I wish to visit the Gobi Desert. I longed to witness the pristine beauty of the desert - a version of the image that I have so steadfastly held on to. I firmly believe the day will come. Someday.

References

Walking Home From Mongolia, Rob Lilwall, Hodder & Stoughton http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gobi_Desert http://gobidesert.org/content/facts http://news.sky.com/story/743814/gobi-deserts-growth-threatens-villages http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/hebei/2013-11/25/content_17129772.htm http://english.sinopec.com/about_sinopec/subsidiaries/oilfields/20080326/3030.shtml http://latitude.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/14/gobi-desert-nomads-drop-herding-for-mining/?_r=0 http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/10/energy-hits-new-rocks-in-mongolia/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21850604 http://www.greatlearning.com/imyc/news/copper-mining-in-mongolia-stretches-research-and- presentation-skills http://www.riotinto.com/ http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/08/a-lotus-in-the-desert-chinas-xiangshawan- resort/100575/ http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/xinjiang/urumqi_toutunhe/2013-11/25/content_17130036.htm http://blogs.terrapinn.com/total-mining/2011/11/10/mongolia-dubai/ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/monitoring/media_reports/1199218.stm http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/000252.html http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/03/business/energy-environment/03renew.html?_r=0&adxnn l=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1387605946-0S32UGzCu7078UFyBKbiDw http://www.gobisolar.com/index.html New Tales of the Gobi Desert-The Survival of 25 Days in Gobi Desert Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School, Kwan Tsz Yan, Non-Fiction: Group 3

here are we?” “ The cheerful chirping of birds heralded a new day. The golden Sun casted its warmth all around. White, fluffy clouds were floating in the sky while the trees were swaying gently in the breeze. A pride and rich American family was heading offW to Gobi Desert, a famous desert in China. The family kept a pair of twin as their servant, James and Jorge. Although they were smart and talented in their study and music, the family had never ever appreciated their talent, they were too proud of themselves. Yet, certainly they brought all their servants to the trip as well to serve them. It was the most extravagant, private and exotic trip that only the richest people could afford. They all had their own private jet to bring them over to the Gobi Desert where all the posh families from all over the world will meet. Not long, a total of 5 families were gathered and met with the tour guide who was passionate in his job and witty. Everyone became close friends after a short bonding time. The trip seem so perfect as they entered this mysterious golden land, riding their wild camels, chattering exhilaratingly with each other. However, it was just the start of this exciting adventure….. Without any warning, wind started to howl, the sky started to roar, nobody knew that this strong power of the lord was about to destroy them, certainly not all of them, but most of them. “A SANDSTORM!!!” The tour guide shouted at the top of his voice. The next second, their vision were blocked by sand, their phone, compass, and map were blown away, their camels all fled away, even their path was swept away by the strength of the wind. Everybody started to panic. “Where are we?” As they have lost all the ways to seek help and find the directions. All that they could do was to waddle through the sand trying to find their way back. Expectedly, these well-heeled people soon felt exhausted; nobody had ever been so tired before, especially Jack. He was a chairman in the most famous bank, his salary was the highest in the whole city, nonetheless, he was never in the bright side. “We won’t survive here; maybe we should just sit down and wait for people to come and save us! ” Sighed Jack as he placed a piece of tissue paper on the rock and sat down with an unwilling frown. He believed someone would notice they were lost but he forgot it was a private trip that every single piece of information was concealed. Thus, there was no way anyone would locate where they were. Nobody in the group agreed with his thought, but no one dared challenging him. Unquestionably, most of the followers decided to stay behind but not the twin servants and their cousins. These five brave and wise young men volunteered themselves to save everybody by continuing to find their way out. They weren’t stopped by anyone as none of these noble people bothered to care about them. The survival trip wasn’t hard for the first few days; at least they had packed enough food and clothes for this extreme weather. Moreover, they still had hopes to either find a way out of the desert or someone for help. “I am starving, what should we do?” It was the sixth day, no more food, no more water, no more energy… It got to a point where the kids were in desperation. It was tough. They were in dilemma, they couldn’t manage to walk back to where they left the group, nor having any sight of the way out. All they have was each other. That was all. All of a sudden, James’mind floated a scene. …. You can make water when you find a leaf and a plastic bag…. This was what he was told when he was in Kindergarten. He could still remember it, but how could he ever manage to get a leaf in such a dry place? It was the biggest matter indeed. “As long as we preserve and endure, we can get anything we want,” encouraged Jorge, “that was what a team was for.“ Well, they kept walking with their empty stomach, until they couldn’t even walk a step or two. However, James and Jorge didn’t stop even, they walked a few more miles until they fainted and lost consciousness. A drip of water fell on James’ lips. It slowly rolled through his throat to his tummy. He sat up and found that they were in front of a small pond; different animals were drinking water too! He immediately scooped a handful of water to feed Jorge until his eyes opened slowly. After they had enough intake of water, they ran back to their cousins as fast as they could with bottles filled with pond-water. Their cousins were still unconscious when they were back. Fortunately, most of them woke up after sipping in some water but not the oldest cousin John, the one who first stopped walking. Maybe it was a punishment for him! After some rest, they decided to kick off again and continue their survival trip. Nevertheless, they didn’t eat anything for the past seven days! It was dangerous for people not eating food for such a long time. They had to find something to eat! How could they find food in such a place? There was nothing…. “Maybe we should catch insects for food!” exclaimed Jorge. Everyone agreed except Jess, the only girl in this team. She was too afraid to do it. While everybody was trying to catch insects, Jess sat there and did nothing. As the sun shone so brightly, Jess had sunstroke. Sadly no one was besides her at that moment when she felt really il. She lost her breath at last. Although the other cousins helped her with all their strength when they came back but it was no use. Maybe it was because‘you will die if you don’t try’. Maybe it was another punishment from god then! Two of their family members passed away in such a few days. Although the children were miserable and upset, they had decided to keep on going, it was their only way for survival, there would be hope and chances for them if they keep on trying, they thought. Well, they walked ten thousand miles. They visited ponds and hills. However, there were no sign of going home, no sign of any help service, even no sign of any human beings! It was nearly hopeless now. Jorge, James and the left cousin, Jim was still fetching their way through this golden sea. They were exhausted and tired. “We will never get out of this land, I think we should just wait and die here,” Jim hung his head in disappointment and moaned. Neither Jorge nor James replied him, they were too weak to talk already. They just kept on going together, holding hands, leaving Jim behind. They walked a few more days, nothing happened… A twinkle of glitter appeared on the yellow ground, a burst of windblown to their face, “come in!” A gentle voice exclaimed. “It was a helicopter!” Jorge shouted while he drew in a long breathe of relief. They ran as fast as they could, teardrops of happiness flowed from their eyes.“We are finally here!” Exclaimed James as he did a little dance, he was breathless with astonishment. They hopped in the helicopter and hungrily wolfed down all the food provided by the rescuers. They told the rescuers to search for their boss and the rest of the group, they flew through every step they had walked before; they found only skeletons on the sand, Jorge sighed, “if they came with us and put all their might to walk with us, they may survive like us too!” James didn’t say anything, he was thinking how much he had learnt through this journey. It was painful but treasurable. The two kids soon went back to US and were kept by a rich and kind man. Every bit of their talent was polished and utilized. They became the best and the most wonderful adventure men when they grew up whom created a lot of wowing stories. However, the most famous adventure story of all, was this adventure called ’The Survival of 25 Days in Gobi Desert’ which was well- known around the world. The Gobi Desert Shekou International School, Angel Sun, Non-Fiction: Group 3

he Gobi Desert, the name coming from the Mongolian’s point of view meaning “waterless place”. It is a desert that covers parts of north and northwestern China and Southern Mongolia, unlike the Sahara that is located only a few sand dunes away from the Gobi. It has an area of 1,300,000 kilometer squared and an elevation of 1,580 meters, being the Tworld’s fifth largest desert. The Gobi Desert also had a lot of attention in history, because it was a part of the great Mongol Empire and a various important cities along the Silk Road. The Gobi’s is made out of chalk and other sedimentary rocks that are mainly in the Cenozoic in age (about 65 million years old),in the central Gobi there are also remains of dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era (about 250 to 65 million years ago) and fossils of Cenozoic mammals. The Gobi desert also contains Paleolithic and Neolithic sites from the ancient generations. Before the Gobi Desert was formed, it was once a fertile land with large amounts of farmland. However, currently now the Gobi Desert is expanding at a quick rate, a process that is known as desertification. The expansion is forming on the southern edge of China, where every year there is 3,600 km2 of grassland overtaken by the Gobi Desert. In the past 20 years, dust storms and other natural hazards have increased (occurring due to the fact of desertification), have caused severe damages to China’s agricultural economy. The expansion of the Gobi Desert is mostly impacted because of human activities occurring in its locations; especially deforestation, overgrazing, and a number of water resources. Desertification is currently a huge worry toward the Chinese government, and they are currently taking actions by planting new greens in order to stop the spread of the desert. The forest barrier in its creation is also known as the Green Wall of China. The Chinese government has tried numerous ways to slow down the expansion of the desert, yet made a small amount of success, but the beneficial part is that there haven’t been major effects toward the country. The temperature at the Gobi Desert can reach +40° C in summer, and -40 in the winter. In some areas of the desert, it only rain once every two or three years; the precipitation averaging to even less than 100 millimeters per year. A strong wind is also one of the major weather components and can increase up to 140 kilometers per hour. The Gobi Desert might just be known to people as a waterless lifeless desert, but there are lots of interesting facts regarding to this environment. There are a lot of different sources representing many important fossils, with the first dinosaur eggs as one of the examples. In certain parts of the desert which is yet unaffected by the harsh conditions, it is where forty-five different kinds of species of organisms and birds, live. Some of these live organisms include the black-tailed gazelles, marbled polecats, Bactrian camels, snow leopards, golden eagles, brown bears, and different species of the wolves. Though it is waterless and full of sand, it is possible for humans to use cars as their main transportation to get through this huge sandy desert. The drainage of the Desert is mostly underground; surface rivers only have little constant of flowing water. Mountain streams are confined to the Gobi’s border and quickly dries up as it disappear into the soil. Most of the soil of the Gobi Desert is grayish brown and brown carbonaceous. Many rivers only flow in summer. During the Holocene Epoch (about 11,700 years ago), the Gobi’s lakes have shrunk in size, leaving a series of problems. The population is very small, it is even fewer than one person per square km , this is mostly Mongols with Han Chinese in Inner Mongolia. In Inner Mongolia the Chinese population has increased greatly since 1950. The traditional living places of the Mongol nomads are felt yurts and orgers (types of tent), but the Chinese farmers live in clay homes built from natural brick. Shortlisted

Behind the Beauty and Wonder St. Paul’s Co-educational College Secondary School, Lo Tsing Sum, 13

he Gobi Desert - a vast and growing expanse of arid terrain. A harsh and unforgiving land, yet still an unlikely shelter for the few who call it home. The golden sand, spread in mystical patterns, provides a backdrop for the landscape. Mountains of rock give the scenery variation. Frost caps the hills - seemingly out of Tplace but at the same time strangely wonderful. The rare lake or line of greenery marks the appearance of life. And the extraordinary sighting of a Mongolian yurt is evidence of mankind’s capability of coping with inhospitable habitats. The beauty of the desert is unlike that of anything else. Everything about the territory is unique. The whole land resonates in a strange but undeniable harmony. If you make your way across the sand dunes, battling the strong, dusty winds, you may just see the odd leaping gazelle or hyrax. You may even meet the gray wolf, or a gold eagle. The sun beats down on regions of the desert, baking and cracking the surface. The air is dry, due to the Rain Shadow effect, in which mountain ranges block moisture from the sea. The mountain range in this case is the Himalayas. There are no major lakes or significant water sources near the Gobi Desert, so there is virtually no moist air in the area. In some parts of the land, paired with the sporadic hot climate, this makes for a burning, parched throat. More often, though, the Gobi Desert is cold. Snow caps the dunes in winter. Icy gales terrorize certain regions. This creates an extreme temperature range, from –40°C to +50°C. One of the only comforts the snow and ice brings is increased humidity. The intense weather, coupled with the unimaginable temperature range, makes for a severe and almost uninhabitable place, especially for humans. But, somehow, we have overcome this. For millennia the Gobi Desert has been home to a group of thriving but somewhat sparse cultural heritages. Most of the people of the Gobi Desert are either of Turkish ancestry or Mongolian descent. The people of the Gobi Desert are generally herders, and do not interact much with the outside world. They usually speak in dialects derived from their origins. They do not, however, follow their ancestral customs on cuisine, since the desert lacks in food supplies - gathering and farming are impossible, prey for hunting is scarce, and trade with the outside world is often implausible. Therefore, the people of the desert have similar eating habits - they herd goats, horses and camels, and get products directly from their cattle. Due to their isolated status, they are largely self-sufficient. They let nothing go to waste. Animal skins are used for clothing. Camel dung is burnt for fuel. Dairy is the most important staple of the Gobi-dweller’s diet. Milk is the most nutritious food that can be found in abundance in the Gobi. Milk is mainly used in dishes and for a local tea. Yoghurt is present in the herder’s diet, and cheese can be found on rare occasions. The locals have elaborate rituals, like tribal dancing on special occasions. Music and dance are the most common art forms present in the Gobi Desert, seeing paint and other materials are not in abundance. They are also skilled in needlework, and their traditional outfits are flavorful and beautiful. Their spirits have not been soaked dry by the unfavorable conditions. Quite the contrary – the desert seems to have given them flamboyant personalities. They are friendly and enthusiastic, and frequently offer care to passing travelers. The Gobi Desert is also a place of archaeological wonder. It is one of the best, most valued places for dinosaur fossil excavation. The desert holds one of the world’s widest arrays of dinosaur remains. The only fault, perhaps, is Mongolia’s lack of regulations towards fossil poachers. Many of these precious historical remains fall prey to thieves, leaving a gigantic gap in history. The Gobi Desert is an amazing place. Its natural scenery is second to none. And its rich human history and culture is absolutely unique. It houses the world’s biggest collection of prehistoric fossils. Everything mentioned so far speaks of epic survival, of beauty, of diversity in inhospitable environments. But behind the beauty and wonder, there is a destructive side. Tales told from another perspective tell of how the desert is suffering from man-caused desertification, and how the desert’s expansion is having severe impacts on the environment and on our health and safety. Tales tell of how the sands are sweeping away thousands of acres of land each year, and of how homes are being buried by advancing sandstorms. Worst of all, the storms affect not only the neighboring areas, but also faraway countries like the Koreas and Japan. Some may ask – how can such a precious place be the source of so much trouble? How can a place of such wonder and beauty destroy surrounding land? The answer is simple. Desertification is currently prevalent in dry areas, due to the rapid growth of the farming business. How does agriculture affect the expansion of deserts? The two may seem completely unrelated, but excessive farming can actually lead to the fire-rapid expansion of deserts. Here’s how it works. Vegetation is stripped from an area to make room for farmland. The soil unravels and loosens as its vegetative anchors – plant roots – are removed. The sand then sneaks into the ground unnoticed. Crops are packed tightly into rows to increase production capacity. The soil’s nutrients are sucked dry and the earth is completely robbed of minerals. The land dries up, and the soil turns to sand. In this case, the Gobi’s sands at the borders of the farms also contribute to the effect – the sand makes its malicious way in through the loose soil. In addition, global warming has decreased water levels in the earth, worsening soil quality and halting vegetative growth. Overgrazing has also contributed to desertification – a problem worsened by the growing number of nomadic herders. People have been exploiting and exhausting the land. As a result, acres of farmland are being swallowed up by the desert, and fewer crops can be planted in these once fertile regions. In a way, farms planned their own demise – they removed vegetation for short-term gain, exhausting the soil of nutrients, leading to their own loss. Increased desert area means more sand. This is a major factor for the alarming trend of the increasing number and the average intensity of sandstorms each year. In other words, desertification isn’t just burying surrounding areas – it’s also affecting territories far off. And these sandstorms are blowing off layers of soil from grasslands, leading to more desertification. It’s a vicious cycle that must be stopped. A small ray of hope, the Green Wall of China, exists. The Wall is a recent project launched by the government. Its aim – to reclaim land that has succumbed to the Gobi. The project mainly consists of planting huge belts of forest and desert greenery along the desert borders, to delay desertification and to reclaim desert land by increasing soil quality. Unfortunately, this project is palliative and ridden with risks. There are only a few varieties of trees, so the artificial forests do not encourage biodiversity. Studies show 85% of the trees may fail. And those trees that root down in the soil will take up enormous moisture from the earth, giving results opposite of the desired effect. There are actually more effective ways halting desertification, like setting up regulations to combat deforestation. The real problem is that the government refuses to consider these methods for fear of commercial issues. It just goes to show that what we need is not a Green Wall. What we need is a Green Mind – for ourselves, for the government, for the whole of society. Raising environmental awareness is far more important than planting controversial strips of greenery along the borders of deserts. Sacrificing the ecology for the economy is a deadly sin. A Green Wall without a population willing to help is futile. People have to regard environmentalism as just as important as religion – we have to establish protecting the environment as an unwavering belief. The Gobi Desert is a beautiful natural expanse – we should not disrupt its harmony. It is wonderful, but everything has a limit. If the Gobi goes on expanding, it will have drastic effects on the world as a whole. We should not tamper with the Gobi Desert and its surrounding landscapes for our own selfish gains, for these gains are temporary. These short-term gains will only lead to our ultimate demise. Tampering with the environment damages the environment, disrupts civilization and causes unimaginable economic loss. We should coexist harmoniously with the Earth, for the environment’s downfall is equivalent to our own. The Earth is our blessing; don’t make it our curse. Shortlisted

The Gobi Desert The ISF Academy, Secondary Division, Isaac Hon, 13

ave you ever wondered why the Gobi Desert is such an attraction to the world? Have you ever actually deeply investigated the deserts of the world instead of being like: “Deserts are just a big pile of sand and is very hot”? Well, the Gobi Desert might surprise you as it is not just a big pile of sand nor is it very hot, (well it could be at times) in fact most Hof the Gobi’s surface is bare rock and is known to be the frozen desert. With that being said, let me take you on a little tour and give you a background on the Gobi. The Gobi desert is in between Mongolia and China, it is a pretty vast desert. Unlike any other, this desert is mostly flat and easy to travel around as only 5 percent of the desert are dunes. Weather and temperature there is also pretty extreme, the temperature in Ulaanbaatar could range from -47º celsius to 38.6º celsius, which in my opinion is, pretty crazy. During the stages of research I have found something of my liking, dinosaurs. A large proportion of dinosaur fossils were found in this desert, somewhere in a region called the flaming cliffs. There are also other things that might tingle your interest, desertification by the gobi desert is happening at a rapid rate, expanding into China’s grasslands and ruining the agriculture. Something that comes to mind when the word ‘desert’ is heard is a harsh environment, well it is true. People from a long time ago until now have not been able to develop much of a difference in the way they do things as the climate and resources are a huge constraint. The desert provides little water and little amount of grassy fields for livestock to sustain themselves, once the resources run out in the current location, people tend to move out into a different area to live. Therefore being a nomad is a good idea, and thats why the shelters that the locals set up (yurts) are maneuverable. People also have to live close to animal herds for food. The majority of the people who live in a such a place are the Mongols. Being a nomad is a tradition of the Mongols and having visitors are their pride, the traditions says that: “Happy is the one who has guests, merry is the home boasting a tethering rail full of visitor’s horses.” So when ever there are travelers, they show full hospitality. Hmm, you may think is that it? Judging from the photos in google, it is only a place with sand everywhere. Well no, aside from sand there are actually plants that inhabit the Gobi and that there are so many plants, the Gobi could be enough to feed a camel for the rest of its life (well of course not only one camel). There are two main plants that live in the Gobi Desert, one called The wild onion and another called Sauxal. There are other species of plants like the goyo plant, but the Sauxal and the Wild Onion are the most common. Lets talk about the Wild onion first, these onions are commonly known as the stone onions as well, this a perennial plant. These onions prefer to grow on dry rocky areas therefore making the Gobi a perfect place for growth. Between June and July the wild onion plant blossoms, corresponding to with something called the fruiting period which is in between July and August. This is a pretty big source of food because the plant itself lasts long and is flexible within such a harsh environment. The Sauxal is a tree that can have a height between 3 and 16 feet, this is when the tree is fully grown. In the Gobi, this tree plays an extremely important role in the ecosystem as animals trespassing graze on the trees. The tree also provides water for animals who collect water in the bark of the tree. These barks can be used as fuel and a source of water for travelers or nomads. Small pale flowers appear on the tree in April and dark green fruits appear on September. With such a harsh environment its hard to believe that there are inhabitants of animals, well I tell you that there are many animals that live in this desert. First off, we have the Jerboa. It is a small rodent that have features that are relatively the same as a kangaroo, with strong hind legs and a long tail to keep balance of walking, the only difference would be the huge ears and having no pouch. With such powerful hind legs the jerboa is allowed to leap up to 10 feet far and jump 6 to 7 feet high. The food that the jerboa eats doesn’t make the rodent thirst, it might not need to drink water throughout its entire life, this is a stunning fact. The jerboa has a predator, called the golden eagle, the Mongolians have trained these eagles to prey on the jerboas in hopes of protecting livestock, then return to their owner. The gobi bear (also known as the Mazaalai) is also a pretty big topic of the Gobi as it is one of the most endangered species in the world. It is similar to most bears in the world, has fur, small ears, paws… Pretty much could pass as a brown bear. The government of Mongolia has been trying to protect this bear as there are only 23 left in the wild 8 female and 14 male by 2013. Have you ever played an iPhone game called the ‘Death Worm’? Well, I think they based it off something real. In the southern parts of the gobi, there have been reports on the sight of these two meter long creatures. The Mongol Prime Minster in 1922 described the worm: “It is shaped like a sausage about two feet long, has no head nor legs and it is so poisonous that merely to touch it means instant death. It lives in the most desolate parts of the Gobi Desert…” This creature hibernates throughout most of the year but awakes in between June and July. It has two ways of killing its enemy, either electrically discharging them or spewing out venom from a distance. I could say it is a combination of an eel and a snake. Some scientists deny its existence. The first few dinosaur eggs have been found in the Gobi. These eggs have been dug up from the flaming cliffs, not only have eggs been found but other dinosaur fossils have been found as well, for example the Velociraptors, Protoceratops, Therizinosaurus. This has been an attraction for me since I am really into dinosaurs. Archaeologists have proven that there has been major terrain and climate change since the Cretaceous period, this is because archaeologists have unearthed large vegetarian dinosaurs that would have taken a huge supply of vegetation to sustain. Most of the fossils were buried under the sand, making it another piece of evidence of the terrain change as the sand in the Gobi takes shape. Besides being all bright, the desert has a dark side, the desertification. This is a huge problem as it not only affects China through sand storms, but it affects neighboring countries such as Japan, North and South Korea. The Chinese government had been blamed because of the high carbon emission everyday and ended up with such a result. The Chinese have launched a project for the problem, spending billions each year, China’s government plant saplings to grow trees in the north, the plan was successful and each year took back land mass larger than Switzerland. This was known as the green wall of China. The logic behind this is that the tree grown griped the sand together making it harder to spread around with the wind blowing. So to round up facts about the Gobi, is that the Gobi has many different species of plants, and that there were once more of it but because of the desertification the number of plants dwindled. The first few dinosaur fossils were found in the flaming cliffs and that also proves the fact about having a vast variety of plants at the Cretaceous period. The Gobi Desert wasn’t a desert before and in fact would have flourished with life. There are people who live in the desert, relying on livestock and plants for survival, most of the desert is populated with Mongols. The people there live in something called yurts. The worlds’s most endangered species lives there as well, the Mazaalai, with only 23 of them left in the wild in 2013. In my opinion, the desert is a fantastic place to visit if you are a learner and a lover of nature. It is a test for your stamina and your navigational skills, beyond that you could absorb a lot about the area like seeing animals, plants, terrain and so on. On another note, if you take a step back and look at the larger picture, the desert is actually a pretty big problem as it is expanding and if not resolved could lead into health hazard of having not enough oxygen when the desert takes over the forest. To conclude, I would love to go and experience the desert myself, because theres a Chinese quote and it says that “ Reading a thousand books is not equivalent to walking a thousand miles.” And it is very much true. Would you step into the desert? Shortlisted

The Gobi Desert The ISF Academy, Secondary Division, Sophie Liu, 11

The Desert The Gobi Desert is the fifth largest desert in the world, covering approximately 500,000 square miles in Southern Mongolia and Northern China. Unlike other deserts of the world, much of the Gobi desert is a cold desert, consisting of rock outcrops, gravel and dirt, with scattered shrubs. With extreme temperatures ranging from over 122˚F to lower than -40˚F, the largest desert in Asia is a formidably harsh habitat with 45 species of animals and about 400 species of plants that have adapted to the environment. Apart from the extreme temperatures, the Gobi desert is also known for its ferocious wind speeds which can build up to 85 miles per hour, powerful enough to bring a full-grown person off the ground and into the air. These winds usually occur during a violent sandstorm, which the Mongolians call the “black days”. The sandstorms and the wild, dry terrain make it difficult to survive in the Gobi, which “grows” every day. Alarming but true, the Gobi desert is expanding at an annual rate of 1390 square miles over the grasslands south of the desert. This is one of the most typical examples of desertification.

Desertification Desertification is the process of turning productive land into desert. Desertification reduces the ability of land to support life, affecting wild species, domestic animals, agricultural crops and people. The reduction in plant cover that accompanies desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion and loss of water such as in the Yellow River. Due to this desertification, once productive areas surrounding the Gobi desert are rapidly being transformed into vast desert wastelands. The desert is growing so swiftly, that in the next decade, even the distant capital of China, Beijing will be affected. As we are speaking, dunes are forming just 70 km from the city, and may be drifting south at 20-25 km a year. Despite massive spending by the Chinese government on land reclamation and replanting, China cannot keep up with the rapid expansion of the desert. Only 7% of Chinese land is arable farmland, and half of China’s 617 largest cities face water deficits. Beijing is among the cities which will be most affected. For neighboring countries, the clouds of sand from the Gobi desert mean respiratory illnesses and darkened skies, sometimes to the extent that airports must be shut down. However, the desertification problem in Mongolia is the most acute, resulting in 140,000 square kilometers of unusable territory and 683 streams having dried up in recent years.

Causes of Desertification Overgrazing is the major cause of desertification worldwide. Where not properly planned and managed, provision of drinking water has contributed to the massive advance of deserts in recent years as animals gather around waterholes and overgraze the area. Some herders have poor grazing management after accidental burning of semi-arid vegetation, causing the loss of both the vegetation and the soil’s nutritious components. However, overgrazing is not the only problem. Villagers, farmers, and the poorer communities often cut down trees and timber to collect firewood for cheaper fuel. This results in loose soil, and a higher chance of desertification, with no plants or vegetation to block the expansion of the desert. The over- cultivation of lands where there is a high risk of crop failure and a very low economic return is also a main factor of desertification. When the practices described above coincide with drought, the rate of desertification increases dramatically. Increasing human population and poverty further contribute to the problem of desertification, as poor people may be forced to overuse their environment in the short term, without the ability to plan for the long term effects of their actions. For example, where livestock has a social importance beyond food, people have been reluctant to reduce their stock numbers.

Fighting desertification Due to the scale and severity of Gobi’s situation, governmental involvement has become important in the attempts to fight desertification. The Mongolian government, with the aid of the , has introduced the sustainable land management and a “Great Green Wall”. With the “Green Wall”, a long barrier made of pines, willows, junipers, thorn bushes and other trees, Mongolia aims to protect itself from the sand of Gobi desert, gathered by storms of central Asia and transported towards the east. At the same time, the Chinese government has also taken different measures to combat desertification. First, by strengthening and solidifying sand dunes to prevent desert expansion through laying grass patches and building sand prevention walls. Second, by developing consolidated farming to prevent excessive grazing and promoting an alternate cultivation and fallow system to preserve the fertility of land. Third, by optimizing the structure of plantation, and promoting precision irrigation systems through advanced technologies learned from countries like Israel. Furthermore, herders suffering from land degradation are educated to change their mindset and attitude, so that there is certain export of labor from the regions to ease the over-dependence on the land. Meanwhile, people are encouraged to adjust their economic structures to promote higher value added industries away from agriculture. Last but not least, conservation of the valuable water resources also helps with curing and containing the further worsening of desertification. Conclusion The Gobi desert can be an exotic tourist destination that promises splendid scenery. But don’t forget, almost one quarter of the world’s population lives in the region that is being affected by the desertification of the Gobi desert. This vast population depends on the security of the food and water supply; however, the desertification is threatening their survival. This is not going to be just a regional problem, but the potential humanitarian crisis for the entire world. The many health issues created by the sandstorms and the thick haze are affecting not only the populations of Mongolia and China, but many other countries as well. Therefore, actions must be taken with a sense of urgency to stop the worsening desertification of the Gobi desert, in order to serve the best interest of mankind.

Bibliography

1. Hong Kong Young Writers Awards. Gobi Desert. 2013. Photograph. Facebook, Hong Kong. Web. 5 Jan 2014. .

2. Encyclopedia, Britannica. “Gobi.” Animal Life. 2014. . 3. Thayer, Helen. Walking the Gobi: A 1600 Mile Trek Across a Desert of Hope and Despair. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books, 2010. Print.

4. Lilwall, Rob. Walking Home From Mongolia. London: Hodder&Stoughton, 2013. Print.

5. Collins, Jocelyn. “Desertification.” . UWC Enviro Facts, 01 Feb 2001. Web. 5 Jan 2014. .

6. United Nations Development Program, Mongolia Country Office. United Nations. Ministry of Industry and Agriculture; Ministry of Environment and Green Development. Sustainable Land Management for Combating Desertification in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: , 2007. Web. .

7. Watts, Jonathan. “China makes gain in battle against desertification but has long fight ahead: Expert warns it could take 300 years to recover desert land resulting from over- cultivation and water demands.” The Guardian. (2011): n. page. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. .

8. “Climate.” Gobi Desert. N.p., 2010. Web. 2 Jan. 2014. .

9. “Green Wall” to stop Gobi desert in Mongolia.” AsiaNews.it. (2006): n. page. Web. 6 Jan. 2014. . Non-Fiction Group 4 Winner

A Resplendent Rock-built Legend SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School, Yau Shun Him, Non-Fiction: Group 4

xisting as the fifth largest desert and being composed of five different ecosystems, the Gobi Desert is undeniably a unique and intriguing place to many of us. Unlike other deserts across the globe, namely the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Desert, which are mainly made up of sand, 95% of the Gobi Desert is found as rocky terrain. Despite its Eextremely arid and tremendously varied climate, the vast area of the Gobi Desert, spanning about 500,000 square miles, has housed hundreds of plant and animal species like the snow leopards and Saxual trees. Not only has the Gobi desert contributed to our ecology, but it has also facilitated the economic and cultural development in the ancient and modern times. Without this indispensable and lively desert, the life of the human beings would have been different from stem to stern. Covering a boundless area and a splendid array of terrain, the Gobi Desert embraces five ecosystems like the Eastern Gobi desert steppe, Gobi Lakes Valley desert steppe and so on and so forth. Apart from the breathtaking view, the Gobi Desert is also notable for its extreme and fast- changing temperature. The daily temperature difference could be as wide as 90 Degree Celsius, ranging from -40 Degree Celsius in winter to 50 Degree Celsius in summer! What is more, it is also exceedingly parched in the Gobi Desert owing to the blockage of moisture by the Himalayas, which makes the desert a rain-shadow area. It is therefore unquestionably a legend that so many plants and animals, which make the desert full of lives, could still survive under such extreme climate. Then, you may ask, when and how was this unique and fabulous legend formed? Could we look for some clues in the elongated river of history? Ever since the discovery of some dinosaur egg fossils, it has been suspected that the Gobi Desert was formed millions of years ago due to the drying up of water sources like lakes or rivers. Thus, the earliest history of the Gobi Desert could probably be dated back to hundreds of thousands of centuries before. As time went by, this ‘legendary’ desert managed to sustain and expand its area to mantle part of the area of Mongolia and China. Other than serving as a dwelling for various species, the Gobi Desert commenced to contribute to the economic development of Asia as early as in the Tang Dynasty. The Silk Road, which was the main route for China to carry out trading and business activities with other Asian countries or even European regions like the Middle East and the Balkan Peninsula, began to develop during the Tang Dynasty after Emperor Taizong had defeated and colonized a number of China’s neighbouring countries. Merchants at that time had to travel across the Gobi Desert since it is situated right on the way of the Silk Road. Riding the camels which lived in the Gobi Desert and could resist prolonged sun-shine and dehydration, merchants could then transport the goods to other places via the Gobi Desert. Consequently, the Gobi Desert facilitated economic development by boosting trading in ancient China. Furthermore, the Gobi Desert acted as a catalyst again to promote cultural exchange between China and other countries in Tang and its following dynasties. Besides being engaged in business activities, many Chinese could travel to other Asian countries and many Asians could travel to China. Some of them even migrated to other places in Asia. When people reached a different place, their home culture would co-exist with the local one. The diversified cultures may then combine and form a distinguished hybrid by preserving the wisdom and merits of different cultures, proven by the fact that there were a lot of Persian textile products in China and the technology of printing was transferred to China’s western neighbouring countries. The inflow of products from other places allowed more choices of high-end products for Chinese at that time while the printing technology paved the way for the development of education in China’s neighbouring countries. Doubtlessly, the prosperous cultural development brought mutual benefits to China and its neighbours and thus enhanced the quality of life of people at that time and in the following dynasties. As vital and irreplaceable the Gobi Desert may seem, it was still not commonly known to westerners until numerous explorations of the Gobi Desert by western people were completed. Between 1700s and 1900s, there were countless explorers like Lorenz Lange, Grigory Potanin and many more who visited the Gobi Desert, attempting to take a peep of the mysterious Gobi Desert behind its veil. With their commitment and perseverance, they eventually succeeded to show the Gobi Desert to the world and enrich people’s understanding towards it. Throughout many different eras, not only has the Gobi Desert been toiling to play the role as a habitat for various species, but it has also given impetus to the development of tourism in today’s China. Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of tourists who are attracted by the stunning and enchanting scenery of the Gobi Desert. The green and energetic oasis, the white and squeaky-clean snow fallen on the desert, the lovely two-humped camels and other alluring tourist spots have provoked interest of numerous tourists every year and thus played an essential role in promoting the economic growth of China. As mentioned before, in addition to economic contribution, the Gobi Desert has helped to maintain cultural diversity and cultural exchange through constant and ceaseless contact between people of different nationalities. Hence, for the same token, the Gobi Desert has kept on fostering cultural exchanges as tourists may get to have some understanding about the lives of Chinese dwelling and may be able to appreciate the picturesque landscape there. What’s more, they may get in touch with indigenous Chinese there while travelling and get their culture transmitted and stemmed in China. For instance, the food culture is likely to become more diverse when both Chinese and foreigners share the delicacies and cutlery which are unique to their own countries. Similarly, the indigenous people and the tourists could also affect the clothing culture of one another–the foreigners might include the element of silk in their clothing while the local could choose to put on sports shoes and stone-washed trousers. When the different cultures co- exist, lives of people will definitely be enriched. Providing water and fertile land in certain areas like the river bank or oasis, the Gobi Desert has helped a significant number of people make a living too. Not only could the locals carry out cultivation and set up pasture to raise animals, but they could also obtain different resources like firewood for cooking and warming their home. Only with crops, water and other precious resources provided by the Gobi Desert can the people survive and lead a simple but stable life. Constructive as the Gobi Desert may seem, this legendary and useful desert may vanish owing to a plethora of thorny problems it is faced with. Believe it or not, the Gobi Desert is now exposed to a couple of severe problems, including the excessive agricultural development and the concealed harms of the development of nuclear power. To commence with, the problem of excessive agricultural development in the Gobi Desert is certainly a hard nut to crack. With the surging demand for food, people endeavour to boost the amount of crops yielded and raise much more animals by mistaken methods of farming and rearing than before. Some may even increase the crop yield at the expense of the fertility of the soil–over-cultivating the land. The soil, which is supposed to be left fallow for a number of years to allow it to replenish the nutrients lost during the growth of crops, is now used to grow crops incessantly. What worsens the situation is the fact that some tactless farmers do not fertilize the soil in the farmland regularly. Gradually, the fertility of the soil will decline and the soil will become infertile. The soil may then become not arable and the farmland is thus permanently destroyed. Not only will the ecology of the desert be adversely affected, but people there may also have to face the problem of food shortage. Overgrazing, in which people raise more animals than the ecology can afford, could lead to serious soil erosion and damage of ecology too. When the quantity of animals surges, it is inevitable that more vegetation like grass will be consumed. When the rate of the consumption exceeds the rate of the recovery of plants, the desert will begin to lose its vegetation, especially that in the oasis. Lacking the stems of plants which hold the soil tightly and cohesively, the soil, sand, and dust in the desert will turn loose and become easily blown up. Soil erosion arises in this case. Whenever there is rain or wind, the top soil and thus the nutrient in soil will be easily carried away, resulting in a decline of the fertility in the soil. A vicious cycle appears then–the diminishing amount of vegetation will cause a lack of food for the wild animals and the livestock raised by the nomads. Many of the animals may not be able to survive ultimately, which could also lead to the shortage of food for the locals. In the long run, famine is extremely likely to happen. Another by-product of soil erosion is that it could cause more frequent sandstorm in the surrounding metropolis of the Gobi Desert or even the whole world. When there is strong wind in the desert, the eroded soil will be easily brought away from the desert by the wind. It means that the sand and dust could reach everywhere with the help of the wind. It is suspected that the frequent sandstorm and continuously low visibility in Beijing may also be due to the soil erosion in the Gobi Desert. With the sandstorm and low visibility, the environment, transportation, people’s health and so on are tremendously influenced, as reflected by the delay of airplanes and the skyrocketing number of people suffering from respiratory diseases in China. Apart from excessive agricultural development, the large-scale development of nuclear power in the Gobi Desert and in its surrounding areas also poses a torrent of threats, no matter to the organisms living in the desert or people across the globe. The issue of the nuclear development is de facto two-folded. Firstly, many countries like and France are interested in the rich mineral reserves in Mongolia, notably the reserves of radioactive metals like uranium. They are keen on cooperating with Mongolia to mine the radioactive metals in the Gobi Desert so as to acquire more resources. However, mining of uranium and other radioactive metals usually involves opencast mining, in which the vegetation has to be removed and the surface of the land has to be completely destroyed. Not only will this deteriorate the problem of soil erosion, but it may also lead to pollution problem like air pollution and noise pollution during the process of mining. Worse still, the Chinese government signed an agreement with a French corporation in 2010 about establishing a huge nuclear fuel reprocessing and recycling plant in the area of the Gobi Desert. Notwithstanding the profit that could be generated by operating such a plant, the concealed risks of it have already outweighed the benefits. There is always the possibility of leakage of radioactive waste, regardless of how low it could be. Given that there is leakage of radioactive waste, not only will the animals, plants and people living in the Gobi Desert suffer, but so do their future generations and people across the globe too. It has been scientifically proved that long-term exposure to high radioactive level could cause the mutation of chromosomes, which could lead to cancers, deformity or physical impairment. The Chernobyl Disaster is the best evidence to justify this argument–there have been over 75000 cases of Chernobyl-related cancer and deformity or impairment of infants even until now! Seeing the enormous problems that the Gobi Desert is faced with, the Gobi Desert seems to have changed from a legendary and beneficial place to a dying patient who is suffering from some ailments whilst bringing others troubles too owing to his own ailments. Conserving and preserving this ‘legend’ may be a matter of indifference to you. Nevertheless, we, as readers as well as members of the global village, literally need to contemplate about some ideas to tackle the mentioned problems for the sake of continuing of the legend of the Gobi Desert and improving everyone’s quality of life. To alleviate the problem of over-cultivation, the Chinese government should and could educate the people about the importance of a sustainable farming practice, which stresses on the essence of fallowing. The authority could also provide the farmers whose farmlands are left fallow with subsidies, both in the forms of money and food. By educational and financial inducement, it can effectively and efficiently reduce the number of farmers who carry out over-cultivation. While for overgrazing, the government could set up a reasonable limit of the number of livestock a family could keep at most. Anyone who is found to have kept more than the quota may be fined so as to discourage people from keeping too many animals, which exceed the affordability and jeopardize the sustainability of the desert. Other than this, soil erosion is also a severe headache for the government. Concerning the lack of plants, the government could expedite the process of legislation about setting up a ‘conservation zone’, in which any agricultural and economic activities are stringently prohibited. After that, the government could start planting some vegetation again to serve as a windbreak. Not only could the plants hold the soil cohesively with their roots, but they could also act as a barrier to block the sand and dust brought by the wind. With the government’s persistence and commitment to rejuvenate the places where soil erosion is commonly found with a ‘Green idea’ and to minimise the harms caused by people to the soil, the problem of soil erosion would be mitigated gradually. Last but not least, when it comes to the issue about the resolution to deal with the development of nuclear power, we, as nationals of China, should and could voice out our opinions bravely and loudly so that the demerits of the proposal of developing nuclear power in the Gobi Desert could be heard by the government. We should urge the authority concerned to reveal the plan about the development of nuclear power and entreat the central government to consider terminating or modifying the plan in view of protecting nationals’ lives and the ecological system in the Gobi Desert. While seeing ones striving for a better Gobi Desert or even a better China, were I one of the officials of the central government, I would gradually cut down on the use of nuclear power. Minimising the mining of radioactive metals is a plausible and sensible means to reduce reliance on nuclear power. The government should and could request the mining company to submit an environmental impact assessment before carrying out any projects. The government could also hire a team of experts, including biologists and environmentalists so as to visit the proposed mining position of the mining company to judge whether the place deserves further conservation. By doing so, the detrimental effects of mining radioactive metals could be greatly reduced. Without a shadow of doubt, it is literally of paramount importance for the government to develop some alternative energy resources like hydroelectric power, solar power or even generating electricity with food leftovers. In spite of the relatively high cost of using solar power or hydroelectric power, the resources for generating electricity is renewable and the pollution during electricity generation can be minimised, whilst for electricity generation with food leftovers, it is absolutely feasible and advantageous. There is an extraordinarily huge population in China. Hence, it is believed that there is an innumerable amount of food waste being disposed of every day. Not only does it waste the food resources, but it also adds an immense burden to the landfills in China. Therefore, using food leftovers to generate electricity not only can save other energy resources, but it could also make the amount of solid waste plummet, which is hitting two birds with one rock. In a nutshell, there has been a lengthy legend about the Gobi Desert, which could be dated back from the Tang Dynasty to this time and age. The Gobi Desert has been striving to facilitate economic and cultural development ever since the emergence of the Silk Road and continues to create its own tale from time to time. Nonetheless, as time goes by, there are a couple of thorny problems which have to be eliminated. I do crave that every individual and other parties like the government and non-governmental organizations could sink their teeth into easing the problems which the Gobi Desert is now facing and improving the conditions of it. The saying that ‘two heads are better than one’ should have a grain of truth in it. Only through commitment and cooperation could the current problems of the desert be eradicated. Everyone, please act beyond words now, if you also want this resplendent rock-built legend to carry its tale on and on, from eternity to perpetuity. Poetry Group 1 New Tales of the Gobi Desert Bradbury School, Amelia Chow, Poetry: Group 1

Camel is yellow, Yellow is sand, Sand is rock, And rock is the earth.

Cactus is green, Green is grass, Grass is plant, And plant is nature.

Desert mice are small, Small is lizard, Lizard is scary, And scary is dehydration.

Sandgrouse is a bird, Bird can fly, Fly in the sky, And the sky is high. Winner

The secret Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School, Sin Sheung Ka, Poetry: Group 1

Deep in the earth With the worms and the moles lived a secret – small, oval, brown; at the end of town.

Came show bees, frost-flowers, tipple-tail happy rain: but deep in the earth the secret snored, again and again and again.

In his airy palace King Sun smiled; – he knew of the secret! and he laughed, gleamed waltzed in the sky!

Form deep earth Where are slithery silvery silvery worms, there came a shoot; And down in the moist dark deep, Where are sleek brown beautiful moles, there came a root: then out in the tipple-tail happy rain the secret grew, a leafy brain.

The secret wasn’t like you; It was like me.

You can guess what the secret was? Yes, an oak. A tree! Shortlisted

Voice of the Gobi Desert Good Hope Primary School cum Kindergarten, Ow Pei Yue, Aileen, Poetry: Group 1

Find a friend in me, the Gobi Desert. Billions of sand with shiny facets, Hiding untold tales and secrets.

Can you hear my anger? Howling sandstorms of hunger Covering the skies with terror.

Can you sense my joy? As Mongolians rejoice Genghis’ march to victory.

Can you share my zest? As men succeed the test To find dinosaurs’ eggs’ nest.

Can you feel my sorrow? Missing the caravan road Where Marco Polo once trod.

Can you help my friends? Vanishing snow leopards at Tibetan end And Bactrian camels with two bends.

Can you see my dream? Clean waters from underground streams Shall spring to oases in my realm.

Be a friend to me , listen to my heart, Together a miracle we shall start And make barren rocks depart. Gobi Desert: An acrostic poem Harrow International School Hong Kong, Kalani Wong, Poetry: Group 1

Gers Oasis Busy Icy in the winter

Dry Eco-friendly Southern Earthy Red objects Throat Singing Animals Love Gobi St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary School, Tung Long Sha Sophie, Poetry: Group 1

The Gobi Desert has a lot of animals.

Bobby is a Bactrian camel. Go! Go! Go! He loves the warm sand on the Silk Road.

Lucy is a marbled polecat. Her body is yellow and black. Boo! Boo! Boo! She loves to fart and it frightens the rat.

Rosie is a golden eagle. Fly! Fly! Fly! Fly with her friends. She loves to be in the beautiful blue sky.

Flowery is a black-tailed gazelle. Jump! Jump! Jump! Her fur is nice and the color is so bright. She loves to run in the desert steppe.

Ryan is a big brown bear. Fat! Fat! Fat! He is so lazy and he goes nowhere. He only loves Gobi’s fresh air.

Ryan, Flowery, Rosie, Lucy and Bobby, they all love the Gobi , they have their hobbies. What about you and me? My Sandy Wishes St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary School, Mia Ven, Poetry: Group 1

The Sun is steaming hot, And I have a lazy thought. I want to hide under a fern, So I won’t get sun-burn.

The more I think, The more I want to drink. Comes out no water, And it gets hotter. Plenty is the deary sand, Scanty is the dreary land.

Sitting on the fine sand, Playing with my tiny hand. Wish it was a sandy beach, So I can eat a candy peach.

The Sun is going down, And the sand is no longer brown. Know what I found, Millions of bright starts shining like a crown.

The camels are lying down on towels, And I am singing my songs with vowels. I want to sing along on the sand, While the moon plays with the band.

The gleaming light of the full moon glows, A gentle breeze also swiftly blows. I find a bottle lying on wind-swept sand, And I brush the grains upon it with a trembling hand.

In the bottle is a hand-written note, Wish me a good night with a quote. Is this a joke? “Gobi Gobi, so I know!” New Tales of the Gobi Desert Tsung Tsun Primary School and Kindergarten, Titus Chow, Poetry: Group 1

The sun is going down, And the sand is changing brown. Cacti are standing still, And the weather is getting chill.

But I am stuck in the shifting sand, There’s nothing like a band. I scream and yell for the whole night, But I am alone with the moon light. A Snow Leopard Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Ryan Ho, Poetry: Group 1

A snow leopard is, An endangered animal. I think he is, A handsome mammal. His skin is like a mat. His roar is like a cat. He eats a lot like a cow. He is so strange and makes me say “Wow”! A snow leopard is, And endangered animal. Tell the people, To stop hunting this mammal. Shortlisted

The Lonesome Leopard Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Kwan Lik-Fung, Nathan, Poetry: Group 1

High on the barren creeks of the Gobi’s rock, Where the lonesome snow leopard rests on the log, Curling up in its black spotted fur with its head looking up high, The beam of the moon shines on its snow-white belly like neon light, Gazing at the starry sky in its black marble eyes, The quiet leopard waits for its prey at the still of the night. The Gobi Desert Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Wo Yui Nam, Anson, Poetry: Group 1

The Gobi Desert is like a giant’s playground. Is part of the Mongol Empire it was crowned. Marbled polecats and snow leopards roam, Wild and exotic species call this their home.

The Gobi Desert is like a treasure chest, With copper, gold and eagle nests! Golden eagles soar through the sky And black-tailed gazelles jump high. The Gobi Desert is like a chapter of history, With dinosaur eggs; it’s full of mystery. Brave explorers search through the untouched beauty, Like Christopher Columbus sailing at sea.

The Gobi Desert Is ever expanding. It’s wonders are treats for the exploring. The green wall of China will never bind. The amazing wonders that one can find. New Tales of the Gobi Desert Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Rachel Yu, Poetry: Group 1

G rasslands cover the desert O nly the toughest can survive. B eing in desert all on your own. I n can emergency, there’s no one to help.

D astardly scorpions bite you all over. E veryday the hot, blazing sun shines S lippery worms slither across your boats. E verything cold strike at any moment. R abbits and hares hop along. T eeming with life, that’s what the desert is! Poetry Group 2 Teardrops AD & FD of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On School, Leung Ka Ki, Poetry: Group 2

Standing towering like a giant At the northernmost desert in the world Cover the southern part of Mongolia Oh! What a lonely solitary man.

He stands silently with no words To suffer several hardships day by day The only thing that stay with him Is the fiery sun and howling wind.

One day, Shadow of the camels And also the thorns of cactus Start to appear little by little.

They disperse the loneliness Sun starts to shine peacefully Wind starts to speak softly Now his heart is full of comfort.

At this time Precious teardrops run out of his eyes. New Tales of the Gobi Desert Beacon Hill School, Christopher McCoy, Poetry: Group 2

Swirling sandstorms rolling across the ground, Tribal tents scattered on the steppes, Two-humped Bactrian Camels trudge thirstily for water, amongst the solid ground, The Gobi Desert.

Sometimes freezing, sometimes sweltering hot, this desert has a variety of weathers. With cold Russia to the North, and warm China to the South. Where mighty Genkis Khan once stood, is now barren, vast, dry desert. Most of Mongolia covered by this desert; it is one of the biggest in the world. The Mighty Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert Poem Bradbury School, Suheera Doni, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert. Hong Kong is nothing like it. Enter it if you dare to die in that harsh place.

Going into the lone sandy desert. On a rock you see so much. Behind the ciff are Gobi Bears resting in the shade. In the hot sun are wobbly camels walking by.

Daydreaming of the animals, wondering how they survive. Eating something very different from us. Steaming in the hot sun while we have technology cooling us down. Excellent lives for us but for them are endangered lives. Rabbit like animals are hopping away from predators. There is unique life we have never seen in first person.

Possibly everyone are in the shade away from the burning sun. Over a dune at night are Jerboas and Geckos scattering for food. Eagles soaring high in the sky looking for a meal. Meanwhile when they are doing that we are here relaxed. GOBI Desert Bradbury School, Aoi Sakamoto, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert is a lovely place There is lots of sand and humungous dunes When dust devils come, less and less sand See all the people running away

The Gobi Desert is a lovely place It’s between Mongolia and Inner Mongolia When the rain falls in the desert, it floods the sandy land See the heavy rain washing the sand

The Gobi Desert is a lovely place It’s a dry, hot and big desert But it’s 4th biggest in the world See those camels lugging their feet

The Gobi Desert is a lovely place The sun rises upon sand dunes Everyday you have a beautiful view Every night the stars are bright

The Gobi Desert is a lovely place If you are lucky, you can dig fossils The wind can carry the sand to Japan Crossing the desert is a long, long way The Mongolian Death Worm Canadian International School of Hong Kong, William Bognier, Poetry: Group 2

Blistering heat beating relentlessly down on the parched sand. The Gobi desert. Three of us staring down at the moving sand We all wonder what happened to this land.

The Mongolian Death Worm we’ve all heard of it but none of us thought it was real.

We walk to shelter One of us is missing. He is nowhere to be found.

Night falls. We are lost. As we give up on our companion we lay in the sand.

A horrific noise I wake up. I am alone seeing nothing but flying sand moving in the air Hearing the sound again

I walk to the area of the noise Looking to my right blood marks splattered all over the sand I panic, I worry, I don’t know what to do

As I follow the blood I see a humongous red worm approximately 100 meters in length but disgusting as hell. It turns around and spots me I run for my life.

Something hovers over my head the red eyes blazed down on me All of a sudden, darkness. Shortlisted

The Tan-Shaded Sea Chinese International School, Abigail Arnold, 10

The tan-shaded sea. Tall waves reach up to the sky, yet never crash down. They mock gravity, Obeying only their unrelenting master, The harsh, biting wind.

This tide only knows To flow but never ebb, rising in the full moon, Surging in the new. A flood that inundates, swallowing the green shore, But never recedes.

Pride of the village, The pagoda beckoned the weary traveler, The farmer in his Green, fertile and moist field marked the hours of his day By its bell’s tolling.

No boat brings pilgrims, Plows cannot carve furrows in shifting walls of sand. The pagoda stands, Rich yellow-red, rising above the amber flood, As if to proclaim “You may take my worshippers but I defy you.” But how long until The spray of that sea etches away the ancient Vermilion and gold? New Tales of the Gobi Desert Ching Chung Hau Po Woon Primary School, Lin Xuan, Poetry: Group 2

Here, there. The greedy man, in the sandy sky, fly and fly.

The greedy man, wants gold something is cold. They look for money, look like crazy.

They run and run, want the gold, where is the gold? But only cold, and empty hole.

They run and run, passed the end of the world, but nothing they know, their heads and broken, full of gold.

Oh! Look! The endless desert, where is the gold? I want to go!

They are very cold. ‘what shall we do?’ Oh, they have not money, ‘where is the money? Where is the gold?’ The Gobi Desert Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division, Marcus Du, Poetry: Group 2

A vast, dry desert Teeming with energetic life Swathed in the green of cacti and the gold of sand A tapestry of colour

The Bactrian camel Grazing on luscious green cacti nodes As if the desert was a buffet But difficult for humans

The Black-tailed Gazelle Grazing on the weeds with vigor As if they would morph suddenly Into brilliant green grass

Oh, Gobi desert You sustain life So I ask you this question “Why be so discerning?” The Golden Gobi Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division, Conrad Lam, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert, vast and majestic. Infinite, beautiful, bathed in golden light. The beasts that roam free, wild and domestic Glorious enough to crush with their might.

A quite unforgiving place in daylight. But at night the birds soar high in the sky. They chirp and they dance and sometimes they fight. Come look, passerby! Look at how they fly!

Sand slips through my fingers. I’m almost there At the Silk Road, my journey’s end. My great experience, which I will share Is the first turn of the road, the first bend.

The biggest joy of all however is- To experience the journey alone. Gobi Desert Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division, Jason Tsui, Poetry: Group 2

A large, remote and unexplored land, Be it blistering hot, or freezing cold, Covered, rather with rocks than with sand, But quite a magical place in fact.

The Gobi wolves stand tall and proud, The endangered Gobi bears prowl around. Nocturnal jerboas jump up high, Asiatic ibexes can climb higher than you or I.

But this is not all to this mysterious land. Dubbed the “Mecca” of the fossil world, Dinosaurs once lived and died there. The Gobi desert was once and still is a glorious land, But is now reduced to a barren piece of land. The Gobi Desert Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division, Joshua Wong, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi desert, a vast, empty place. No man on Earth can survive with nothing. The funny thing is just that The Mongolians can but how do they? There is this Silk Road that helps them live. They trade with passing strangers. Mongolians, giving them skins of animals, While strangers give them food or water The vast place this Gobi desert A thirsty beach, so dry so hot. It’s a never-ending trail of sand. A dry piece of land on the other hand, This sandy ocean, the hell’s forge, Night cools down to freezing temperatures, The extreme place of survival. Gobi Desert Diocesan Boys’ School Primary Division, Leo Yuen, Poetry: Group 2

The Apocalypse cause them to flee, To the world’s largest desert, named The Gobi Where temperatures range from 0 to 50 The last remaining place of ‘milk and honey’.

Continue walking, through night it gets cold They set up a tent hoping it will hold The campfire, stood outside brave and bold, Warmth was now worth greater than gold

Next morning, they wake up early Feeling hungry and also thirsty The remains of sleep still clouds their eyes Bearded vultures circle in the morning sky.

Time to continue journey to the safe place, Lucky for them they see a trace Of a Gobi Bactrian camel walking with grace, After little chase, the camel and them finally embrace.

Their daily routines repeat They sleep and eat, At last they see a man road of grass and dirt They have finally arrived, to the edge of the desert. Shortlisted

Gobi Desert Life French International School (Primary), Jiayi Gu, Poetry: Group 2

Spring

Bald cold trees feel a tickle, Young refilled Gobi bears wake and bicker. The wind rests and closes its eye, And slowly sadly says good bye. The agitated animals aggregate affably.

Summer

As the bright sun shines, The locals tremble and whine. The worn out camels gaze, The big hot fireball blazes. Everyone baked in the hot oven.

Fall

The flame-coloured leaves fall, Like beautiful ruby butterfly angels. Some charming flowers bloom, The fearful and angry wind booms. The wind rules the whole Gobi.

Winter

A scary snow storm roars, Pearl snowflakes accurately scores. Everyone feels the breeze, As they shiver and starts to freeze. Whoosh! The Gobi turns all chalky. Longing To Leave French International School, Yente Koster, Poetry: Group 2

Sand blows across my face Twinkling my skin, Irritating my eyes A teardrop rolls over my cheek Touched by the most beautiful desert on earth.

The wind and sand are like an assembly all around me Only accompanied by the camels walking next to me Gently swaying from side to side Covered in dusty sand So much more at home than me

I take mental pictures And feel being loved but not knowing why Feeling lonely, nobody is there Missing my family wherever I go Thinking of them every time I blink

Walking with bare feet feeling little soft spots. Endless kilometers of only golden colored sand. The desert tries to talk to me but makes no sense Speaking in the language of love Dreaming of going home again

Freezing cold at night; like being frozen Gazing at endless twinkling stars I tell the desert I will return Now to go home with sweet memories Escape French International School, Marieke Lie, Poetry: Group 2

Your golden hills of sand, Everlasting there Your rocky mountains above, Beyond compare. Camels trudging, Footprints made A sign of life, Shadows fade. But silhouettes stand, To your deluded eyes Desperation and thirst, Slowly, your body dies. Scorching heat, Blowing sand Treasures untouched, The untrodden land. The wind is whispering, Hope is there For you have to believe it, For you have to care. A fata morgana Water dripping, An oasis in the distance, Your mind is flipping. One step feels like miles Your mind is blank, A little hope strikes, Over the sand bank. Looking up takes lots of strength. Your head falls back down, You saw a mountain village, You saw a town. A smile appears Energy regained, Step to a run, The picture is framed. Your heart is your hope You climb up unhurt, Your trip is behind you, And so is the Gobi Desert. All of me French International School, Casper Shum, Poetry: Group 2

I am the North of the Gobi Desert. The cold dark winds and the icy cold sand, with a snowy beast, roaming the ground.

I am the East of the Gobi Desert. Hot and cold, a jack of all trades, packed with a variety of creatures

I am the South of the Gobi desert. The oven of the desert. parched and dry, ridden of plants and life.

I am the West of the Gobi Desert. The twin of the east, from freezing to boiling, and a sandpit of existence.

As you can see, I am the Gobi Desert, a trail of traders, the everlasting sandpit, and a world of my own. The whispering place French International School, Tanvi Wadekar, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi desert is so peaceful, No war, no fighting, no noise to be heard. The amazing smooth sand Feels silky under foot It squishes through toes, without a thought. The hissing of rattlesnakes, The tapping of camels, Howls of grey wolves, The piercing call of the eagle, Are all diminished and lost In the vast, desert plain. Beware; beware of the Mongolian Death worm, Its venomous acid, Takes no hostages, Yellow you’re turn and fast as it dashes. The Saxual trees are your only rest haven, But don’t be fooled by the beautiful flower Which adorns it – its sting is not pleasant Beware; beware, for you have been told, Enter the desert and you may never be seen. Only the strongest… French International School, Nicholas Wong, Poetry: Group 2

The scorching, hot dazzling bright grains of sand fill the Gobi desert, The stinking carcasses of wild asses, lie still, as silent as a stone. The graceful wind swiftly covers everything in its path. The snow leopards feast in the frozen mountains of ice. As frightening as ever, the wolves call their pack, with bloodcurdling howls, The chilling wind of the night blows silently, creeping through the land. But when the sunrises, the land becomes parched, leaving no trace of the night. No freezing winds, No cold night air, Only the hot dried desert, Dried up rivers, For this is the Gobi desert. The Gobi Desert Glenealy School, Madhura Tilve, Poetry: Group 2

The shifting sand, The dry typhoons, The whistling winds, And the extending golden dunes,

The slithering snakes, A camel’s hump, Feasting vultures, And a desert toad’s jump.

The leaping Gazelle, A bear’s growl, The jerboas camouflage, And a wolf’s midnight howl.

The winter snow, The summer’ sun, With extremely rapid climates, That can never be fun. Candy on the Gobi Good Hope Primary School cum Kindergarten, Yeung Tsz Ying, Poetry: Group 2

Camel Candy trotting on the Gobi, Got lost with her daddy and mummy, She asked a golden eagle gliding past, But it couldn’t find her parents who walked so fast.

Candy felt as frightened as a mouse, She made loud screams and shouts, She drank water from the oasis, Rested near the thorny cactus.

Down the sand dunes came a marbled polecat, “Where are my parents?”Candy eagerly said. “Over there to the East, I saw your parents having a feast!”

Candy trotted as was told, Through the bitterness and cold. Night came with a sand storm, How she wished Mum were here to keep her warm.

Candy shivered in the cold night, Until the dark sky became bright. Luckily she saw her parents filled with glee, So all of them kept trotting on the Gobi. s Shortlisted

The Gobi Desert Good Hope Primary School cum Kindergarten, Yu Tessie E, Poetry: Group 2

In a part of the wonderful world, Lives the “Waterless Place”- The Gobi Desert

A waterless place Being world number five. Cactuses are everywhere, but- Desertification comes, Expanding because of human activities. Fossils are found, Gold and copper too. Has also been once Important to the Mongol Empire. Jean-François Gerbillon is one of the explorers, Katsnakov too, discovered a lot Living things are there to be found, black-tailed gazelles, Bactrian camels, golden eagles brown bears, Marbled polecats, Mongolian wild ass and sandplovers. Snow leopards, and wolves Never too hot or too cold to them Or maybe some other, Plants are another ‘one of a kind’ genius, Quit drinking, Remain small and short, Shrubs, gray sparrow’s saltwort, gray sagebrush, needle grass and bridle grass To survive in the harsh weathers, climates Under the sunlight, evaporating the water Vapor.

Will all of you, my friends, protect the desert. Let’s protect our World, stop harming the environment! Shortlisted

The Gobi Wilderness Harrow International School Hong Kong, Esme Drew-Prior, Poetry: Group 2

A gust of wind blows as the miners delve, Searching for glistening gold and copper, You can hear the humming drone of conch shells blowing, Echoing over the frost-capped dunes, Catch a glimpse of the rare snow leopard, Creeping silently through the arid mountains, Gaze at the Gers where the Mongolian herders live, In their warm, cosy shelter.

Walk for an eternity across the mighty desert, Hide from the treacherous sandstorm that engulfs everything in its path, Survey, the daredevil mountaineers labouring through a perilous ascent, Touch, the grainy sands, pouring out of your blazing hot hands, In the grasslands, help the nomads feed their livestock, See the vivid orange sun slowly drifting out of sight, Feel, the coldness brushing past your freezing face, As the shadows shift across the steppe.

Thud–Crunch–Thud–Crunch, Hear the scarce Bactrian camels race, Their fleecy, soft coats, swirling in the breeze, Look out for the amazing dinosaur footprints, Still found in the ancient rocks, Try to find the camouflaged lizards, Playing semaphore in the sand, Taste, the milk of sheep, camel and deer, You’ll squeal with delight or fright! Come and explore the unknown. My Gobi Desert Dream Harrow International Hong Kong, Kayan Tam, Poetry: Group 2

The hot deserted oasis, Full of hallucinations, The sun shined on my face, As bright as the stars Oh, what a beautiful view! Beautiful view, Beautiful view Oh, what a beautiful view!

Camels carrying on their humps, Walking on the sandy lumps, The sand went into my eyes, As I blinked, The camels fluttered their eyes, As they passed by. Passed by, Passed by, As they passed by.

We sat down, Upon the deserted sand, As we thought of it as land, We kept seeing and observing, A jewellery box full of gems and gold, We thought it was hallucinations, But it looked real, So we ran over, Ran over, Ran over, So we ran over.

We ran over there, People thought we were crazy, We had hallucinations, As we wore the scratchy sand, The men dragged us off the land, Into a hospital, A hospital, A hospital, Into a hospital. We settled in the hospital, The doctor was mental, So we ask where was the exit, As we walked to the corridor, We got caught by a dentist, The dentist thought we were mental, He sent us back to the hospital, Back to the hospital, Back to the hospital, He sent us back to the hospital.

As we escaped from the hospital, Our head was burning heat, We felt dizzy and crazy, We were becoming lazy, Becoming lazy, Becoming lazy, We were becoming lazy

I was still in my mind, Forgotten what I was doing, I felt like suffocating, We fainted on the floor, Fell on the floor, Lied on the floor, The floor, The floor, Lied on the floor.

I woke up early next morning, Birds and chickens were everywhere, They were standing on my stomach, They were nesting in my hair, They were pecking at my pillow, They were jumping on my head, They were ruffling up their feathers, There were even eggs on top of my head, My head, My head, There were even eggs on top of my head.

I woke up early the next next morning, I used all my efforts and keys at the lock, But nobody help me to unlock To unlock my dream, My dream, My dream, To unlock my dream.

I just want to see the beauty and joy, To see the bright deserted sky, To feel the sand, To hear the wind, Nothing else I will ask for, I will ask for, I will ask for, Nothing else I will ask for.

I unlocked my dream, I saw the Gobi Desert, Oh what a beautiful view, A beautiful view What else can I ask for? Oh my dear me, Nothing would be better, Be better, Be better, Nothing would be better.

I woke up at twelve, As the clock went diinng! it was just a dream, Nothing but a dream, A dream to treasure inside of me, Inside of me, Inside of me, A dream to treasure inside of me.

The world is at peace, We should love it while we can, We should treasure it while we exist, Be thankful of what you have, As long as you and me, Are still together, While we gather, We gather, We gather, While we gather. The Gobi Desert, I wonder what is there, Will it be like my dream? My Gobi Desert dream, Desert dream, Desert dream, My Gobi Desert dream. ! Winner

Sands of the Gobi Hong Kong International School, Megan Simonson, Poetry: Group 2

In the black, just one of the pack, millions surrounding me. I’m buried so deep, from danger I keep, I will never want to see. Wedged in tight, without a glimmer of light the desert feels small. The muffled wind would sigh, from above I heard no cry. Who could imagine what soon would befall.

All grains of sand are exceptionally bland, I’m just one of the same. I am brown and rough. My outside’s tough, it’s common to have no name. My world is still, and nothing has gone downhill, experiences far from rife. Life was never difficult, my days without a jolt, I live for nothing else in my life.

Then the wind came, vibrating, screaming its shame, I felt something shift. My fellow grains, eyes wide - going insane. The world around me started to lift. Then I’m up there too. I floated, I flew. I was now aware of my size. They warned me in my nook, I don’t want to look, but temptation wins, I open my eyes.

It comes at me, the beauty I see. I gasp, and I stare. Colors a blur, there’s more I am sure. For once, I myself feel bare. I shiver from cold, for the wind is bold, it leads me around. Hundreds of golden dunes lie, opposite to sky, now I hear a gentle sighing sound.

Trees and shrubs stand tall, The Great Green Wall, separating humans and the Gobi desert. On the landscape so vast, you probably wouldn’t last just you and your yurt. Feeling freer from up here, down I peer. I start to respect my size. If you’re there down low, you wouldn’t know where to go. Above, nothing seems to minimize.

The whistling wind sings, folds its giant wings, and places me on a dune. Now I look up to see, on the mountains, so many of me. Different patterns, all synchronized in tune. For a while I sit staring, at the designs preparing until the wind’s breath rises, and with perfection, I get a different selection of shapes and sizes.

Now I look around. I hear a dry, wispy sound. To my right, they sit. Dry, crackling grass, leaning over in a mass, showing the sharp seed inside it. To the wind I think, blow me before, in horror I sink. Through the needlegrass I fly, still free. I blow through the night, a pleasant sight, for stars as far as I can see.

The sunrise has fired, but I am very tired from the long journey I sleep, on a blanket of golden sea, maybe meant for me. Later though, I wake with a leap. By my side is a puddle of drool, the size of a swimming pool, and I see a hoof pass over my bed. Camels at a steady pace, but to me, they’re in a race, then one hits me, right on my head.....

In the black, just one of the pack, millions surrounding me. I’m buried so deep, from danger I keep, I really want to see. Wedged in tight, without a glimmer of light, the desert again, feels small. The muffled wind did sigh, from above I hear no cry. Who could imagine that this would befall. Winter In the Desert HKIS, Amy Zou, Poetry: Group 2

The freezing wind blows and stirs the ocean of sand. Branches sway and dance to the music of nature. A polecat darts across the landscape, its fur a flash of orange, and vanishes. Winter grasps the desert with freezing cold fingers and breathes frost upon the sand. Sea Full of Sand ICHK-Hong Lok Yuen, Britt Doets, Poetry: Group 2

I am a girl in a sea full of sand. Lost, trying to find my way back, back home.

I am a girl in a sea full of sand all alone, walking in circles around still lost for many days,weeks,months years maybe.

I am a girl lost in a sea full of sand over dead tired but still on my feet.

I am a girl lost in a sea full of sand, my footsteps deep in the sand act as signposts

I am a girl lost in a sea full of sand, the wind blowing my tracks away so I can’t trace them.

I am a girl in a sea full of sand letting the wind push me every twist and turn the wind makes, I go.

I am a girl lost in a sea full of sand looking for one drop of water, just like the last drop of water that jumps out of the tap

I am a girl in a sea full of sand I almost saw the end, not the end from the Gobi Desert but the end of the tunnel the light.

I am a girl lost in a sea full of sand almost seeing the end I suddenly see it the one drop of precious water on a Saxaul tree. I am a girl in a sea full of sand licking it with the tip of my tongue, feeling it going through my body.

I am a girl in a sea full of sand looking around I see a Marbled Pole cat the opposite of big, if I am not hallucinating, and seeing things.

I am a girl in a sea full of sand, trying to touch the Marbled Pole cat but suddenly it flashed through me, slipping through my fingers,

Then a thought, Words can’t explain but it came to me

I am a girl in a sea full of sand, not lost any more, For I am not a girl in a sea full of sand, I am a Gobi desert angel, wandering restlessly for all my life but that is the point in my life,

Nothing! Little Brown Bear Kennedy School, Kylie Chan, Poetry: Group 2

Surrounding me are mountain ranges, Tucked under a pristine blanket of golden sand. As far as my eyes can see, The never-ending sky meets this vast dry land.

My brown fur is scorched Due to the hot blazing sun. Such unbearable heat, I pant as I lift my aching paws to run.

Up ahead, I spot the curved horns of an ibex Lying there, separated from its skeleton. While a snow leopard licks its mouth On the mountain ridge in the distance.

Sending up sprays of sand, I follow my Mother’s tracks hastily. Looking for morsels of food, drops of water, I plea for mercy.

Night falls and the chill pierces through my body. Mother sighs as she gazes at the star-speckled sky. All that luminous beauty up above is lost In the desperation that fills her sad, weary-looking eyes.

Hearing a soft scuttling sound, I turn and pounce on a jerboa darting towards its burrow. At last, we have something to cure our hunger Until another hunt early dawn tomorrow.

I ask “What will happen to us?” “Where have all the others gone?” Mother just gently nudges and motions me To continue moving on.

If I fail to survive another day, If I am the last of my race, Just remember me as the little Gobi Bear, Who the Mongolians call Mazaalai. The Mysterious Gobi Desert Kennedy School, Winston Lam, Poetry: Group 2

T he gobi desert; 500,000 square miles of sand, H ot and cold, a land not scanned, E pic and amazing, but unwelcoming, on the other hand!

G iant hub on the magic silk road, O pened eurasia’s eyes, as spices were unload, B ut the origin of it all is still a story to be told, I t is of mongolian legend - it was from magic code!

D elirious and mysterious, a breathtaking combination, E mpty but strange, a good place for an environmental investigation, S ky filled with shining stars along the galaxy of appreciation, E mptiness in the heart as you travel, too much sedimentation! R ugged with the thundering of desolation, T remendous place to travel, a place of fascination! Dream Desert Junior School, Annaelle Mansuy, Poetry: Group 2

A poem to describe the Gobi Desert A place that’s far away, A desert that’s long to stay, In a world full of adventure and hope, As the ships of the desert sail. The sky full of stars, A place that’s full of wonder, Like a blanket covering me. As the sun rises, All the worries are gone, As it is a new day, In the desert that’s long to stay. Poem About The Gobi Desert Kowloon Junior School, Monique Ng, Poetry: Group 2

A huge secret desert, Hot and dry, Snowy place in early September. Lots of camels in the Gobi, A place full of dreams, A wonderful place. Lots of hills, Grey brown soil, Up to 40c, Down to-40 degrees. A desert in Mongolia, A lovely place, 1,280,000 squares big. 1,610 kilometers, Cold and wet, A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. In The Gobi Desert Kowloon Junior School, Monalika Sood, Poetry: Group 2

In the Gobi Desert, a fascinating life. The sand goes swaying around a powerful wind starting now. The sun goes up and heats up this place. I want to see this place now!

All the sand floats away, few patches of rain comes down and the soft, smooth noise level is nice. It’s hot or cold you can’t make any choice, because it’s the Gobi Desert.

Your imagination dances and you land on soft sand. The nature’s dry but soon it will rise and you’ll fly high! Now your sadness will change into smiles! Because it’s the Gobi Desert. Sand in the Gobi Lok Sin Tong Leung Wong Wai Fong Memorial School, Monaza, Poetry: Group 2

Between Mogolia and China, a beautiful place, The Gobi Desert is in that space. The sun gives a shine on the golden sand, There are many dinosaur eggs but no one can find.

People ride on the camels, They go to the temples. Scary wolves and bears also live there, They will eat a person so better take care.

I take the Gobi desert sand, It flies from my hand. But it’s in my heart, Right from the start. THE GOBI Peak School, Jack Rong, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi, always growing, the wind is always blowing. Climate changes, dust storms draw near, and houses disappear.

The shā mò, in winter’s cold, but that’s not the story told; Coming in summer, the ground is flaming, and towards the sun, you do your blaming.

The hàn hǎi, contains plateaus, but also has rocks that stub toes. Here has mountains, here camels graze, here people can sky-gaze.

The gē bì, crossing the Great Wall, is a place where tourists always crawl. Meandering along the Silk Road, meandering through China, meandering through Mongolia’s Ulaanbaatar.

Oh Gobi, you reckless devil, you increase the death toll level, why do you, to the strings of life, dishevel? Shortlisted

You Can’t Stop Me Peak School, Alyysia Yuan-Pritchard, Poetry: Group 2

Run, Run, Run, as fast as you can, You can’t stop me I am the Gobi man.

Swirling and gusting, I have such amazing powers, Morphing and transforming everything in my way, I’m invincible and getting stronger by the day, Fifth in the world but that is too lame, I wanna be first and Gobi is my name.

I spread my reach like a pandemic disease, Killing everything in my way and bringing you to your knees, You’re just a speck on my kingdom, Leaving you displaced with infertile land, You waste your time trying to stop me growing, Holding back sand with the palms of your hands, Your hands are no match for what I’ve become, I am the only one.

Everybody blames me, How sad it makes me feel, It is not my fault I am doing you harm, The wind is my friend and the sand is my soul, Closing my eyes loses me in depths of despair, It makes me sad to know that I’m uncontrollable, It makes me depressed to know you don’t care.

A new tale about the Gobi Desert? That’s me, but actually I’m old, 50 million years old so I’m nothing new, Climate change is older than dinosaurs, Too many humans are deaf to the cause, Stop, stop, stop, can’t you see what you’ve done, You can stop me it only started as some harmless fun. The Tales of the Gobi Desert: PLK Choi Kai Yau School, Melissa Fung, Poetry: Group 2

SYMMETRY In the distance, High on the horizon’s heat-haze, The jerboa slowly inches Towards a sleeping cicada Prey of the day. Symmetry of sight.

Across the rock plateau A grey wolf howls in a wolf-cry voice. A hollow echo returns the world In a whelp-cry voice. Symmetry of sound.

Far, far in the unseen sky Soft galaxies twist, spiral, spin, Blow-up and broaden In a bubble universe That mirrors another, another. Symmetry of space.

Circles, squares, triangles Line delights, shapes delicious, Patterns that bring constancy To the chaos of nature And the uncertainty of a man. Symmetry of science.

Verse, chorus, verse, chorus: The song folds over itself Like a turned-back Brahma Kamal when it opens. The melody falls, rises, falls. Symmetry of song.

The telling of untold tales Between two strangers. The hidden unspoken sharing of ideas. One with a secret to tell, One with a secret to keep. Symmetry of secrets. Sand in the Gobi Desert PLK Choi Kai Yau School, Kwok, Poetry: Group 2

I placed my hand in the sand, I got a handful of sand in my fist. It felt different, Yet, it was special.

The sand of the Gobi Desert smelled like history, As if I’d traveled back in time. It smelled like fossils and dinosaur bones, It was special, wasn’t it?

The sand of the Gobi Desert looked like gold, As if I’d been to the mines. It looked like precious coins and diamonds, It was special, wasn’t it?

The sand of Gobi Desert tasted like nature, As if I’d turned my backyard into a greenhouse. It tasted like the dry soil and cactus, It was special, wasn’t it?

I placed my hand in the sand, I got a handful of sand in my fist. It felt different. Yet, it was special. New Tales of the Gobi Desert The Crying Desert PLK Choi Kai Yau School, Yumi Ng, Poetry: Group 2

Gobi is a no man land, Everywhere is filled with sand. Roses, lilies find no place, But Camels, eagles like to stay.

Sahara is never cold, Kalahari sees no snow. Gobi’s different from her friends, As here the waters used to dance.

Desertification is what we called, Reaching out her sandy claws. Drowning crops and killing corn, Tribes and farmers are all gone.

Gobi is crying for our race, Thousands of years we ruined this place. Humans destroy forests and rivers, And left behind no trees and waters.

The Desert is now crying for help, She has no way to cure herself. Please stop any meaningless destruction, And call our selfishness “civilization”.

If we do nothing about pollution, Our race will soon face extinction. My dear Gobi no more tears, I’ll tell the world our utmost fears. Gobi Desert PLK Choi Kai Yau School, Godfrey Sze-To, Poetry: Group 2

Greatest desert located in Asia Overall size you are bigger than Malaysia Bones and fossils all to be found Increases in size when the wind blows around

Dinosaur eggs were discovered here first Every archeologist builds up a thirst So high above sea level which reaches to 5000 feet Eating dirty vegetables or stinky raw meat Random life is located everywhere The Gobi Desert, visit if you dare! The New Tales Of The Gobi Desert The Story of lizards S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary School, Kwok Yee Lam, Poetry: Group 2

Once in an very ancient time, When everything seem to rhyme, The Gobi Desert was the place to go, If you wanted to find a wondorous kind. As you can see it’s full of sand. But have you ever wondered, how the sand got to this ice-cold land? This place was filled with lizards called salamanders who were the lowly desertlanders. The king of this tribe (Who is still alive) cunning he was, and was king for good cause! One day, the loyal subjects told him, “The weather is bad you have to scold it!” The king, a magic staff he had, never made his subjects sad. They told him, “The weather is too hot, as hot as corn that can pop.” He turned the weather really cold for peasents together young and old. “It is still too hot’!” and lo and behold The king went to a place, hot that is, and changed the weather, like a wiz. The lizards all fell into an endless sleep and turned to ashes in their sleep so deep. And now dear reader, the message is clear What you already have is something to hold dear. Or the end of the salamanders draws ever so near! The New Tales Of The Gobi Desert Preparations for a Gobi Desert Adventure! S.K.H. Fung Kei Primary School, Wong Tsz Kiu, Poetry: Group 2

Two explorers, Mike and Sam Are going to a place that is full of sand. This desert is at China’s end, They want to touch the sand with their hands.

Gobi Desert is very hot. But Mike says but actually it is not! He says it is cold at night So bring your jacket and a pair of tights.

When Mike and Sam saw the map They found that this desert is very big. Sam decides to dig a hole And put in it a giant mole.

The explorers are ready to go They pack their stuff and go straight to the airport. How about you, are you ready? Do you want to go to the Gobi Desert, yes or no? New Tales of the Gobi Desert S.T.F.A Ho Yat Tung Primary School, Fok Chin Long, Poetry: Group 2

Gobi is the fifth largest desert in the world. I would protect it with everything that I can do.

If I were the wind, I would blow good weather. The weather brings a warm atmosphere. The weather brings a wet environment. The weather brings sunny seasons.

If I were the rain, I would plant trees. The trees make the desert greener. The trees make the soil stronger. The trees make the air fresher.

If I were a plant, I would protect the desert. The desert will be a fertile land for agriculture. The desert will be a safe home for animals. The desert will be a comfortable place for humans.

Please join us and protect our desert! The Gobi Desert S.T.F.A. Ho Yat Tung Primary School, Lee Tze Yan, Poetry: Group 2

The fifth largest desert in the world, A nurturing distinctive animals’ expert, Get dust and sandstorm whirled, And it is the Gobi Desert.

Source of important fossil finds, Where the first dinosaur egg was found. Birds and animals of different kinds, Where Bactrian camels are all around.

Rich copper and gold deposits, Which are useful for future development. Due to its mysterious beauty and remoteness, Many are wishing for an exploring moment.

As a result of deforestation, The Gobi Desert is now expanding. We should stop the destruction, If not, the Gobi Desert with vegetation will no longer be existing. New Tales of the Gobi Desert S.T.F.A.Ho Yat Tung Primary School, Lee Wing Hei, Poetry: Group 2

Gobi Desert is the largest in Asia. Gobi Desert is the fifth largest in the world. It covers parts of northern and northwest China. It covers southern of Mongolia. It is bounded by Altai Mountains and grassland.

Gobi Desert is very high. It measures over 1,600km. Gobi is very wide. It measures over 800km. Gobi Desert is very large. It’s area over 1,295,000km2.

Gobi Desert is a home for many different animals. Bactrian camel, gray wolf, snow leopards and brown bear. Gobi Desert is a home for many different plants. Saxual tree, saltwort, wild onions, desert shrubbery and grass.

Gobi, Gobi, I like you. I want to travel in my dream. I think it is very exciting and interesting. A Day in the Gobi Desert S.T.F.A. Ho Yat Tung Primary School, Tsang Sum, Poetry: Group 2

If I had a day In the Gobi Desert, I’d turn off my mobile phone; I’d put down the laptop; I’d stop playing online games, And start exploring other things.

I’d ride on a lovely camel, Travelling over the soil. I’d be inspired by a gazelle, A polecat, or a brown bear, with an up-close adventure tour.

I’d see people With friendly smiles. They’d tell me, ‘Return to nature. Life is simple.’

If I didn’t spend a day there, I’d go with the Internet everywhere. I’d rather stay here longer, for all other wonders I’d discover. The Gobi Desert Shak Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School, Li Hoi Tung Audrey, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert Under the sizzling, dazzling sun Dehydrated Anxious to find some liquid Hoping there’s no more frustrating mirages.

The torrid Gobi dessert The sand rough and prickly From the distance A large piece of gravel I am small.

The desolate Gobi Desert Uninhabited and isolated Camels go past On the silk road Winding across the sand.

The apathetic Gobi Desert Sounds are bountiful and swell, Whirling around my ears Just the breeze And silence hangs in the air.

The capricious Gobi Desert Blistering in the morning and noon Turning swiftly without notice Freezing and chilly in the dark night But I am ignorant to the changes.

The great sun rises gradually The shine irradiates the sand A great sea of gold Glittering with flickers of yellow An astonishing view Emerge in front of me.

I see the hope of this adventure My future is bright My ambition is clear Following my instincts To conquer the brutal Gobi Desert The alluring vitality of The Gobi Desert. The Cactus Shak Chung Shan Memorial Catholic Primary School, Li Hoi Yee Eilly, Poetry: Group 2

The vast Gobi Desert The greatest landscape of Asia.

Under the sweltering , burning shadow of the rising sun Everything waking, tuning from the night I stand tall and still in the thirsty sand Admiring my dazzling home.

Under the sizzling , steaming air of the noon The distracting sun over my head With the water in my roots I can savour the luxurious rays Glittering off the golden sand Cherishing this inestimable moment.

Under the breezy, chilly atmosphere of the evening I close my eyes Standing still Ready for the coming wind Waiting for the horrifying sandstorm.

Under the freezing, frigid breeze of the night, Animals struggle in the gale Plants huddle in the darkness under the twilight A distressing and lingering nightmare.

Although my home looks desolate and deprived I’m never famished nor isolated Though my home is cruel The sand is my shelter The sunshine is my growth.

I am a humble cactus from the boundless Gobi Desert The Gobi Desert Singapore International School, Poon Jia Rong Joan, Poetry: Group 2

Have you ever seen, The fifth largest desert? With many plants and animals, And also lots of dirt!

I’m just a small old cactus, Touch me if you dare! I see wolves and snow leopards, Saltwort, everywhere!

Camels, with their giant humps, Trotting night and day. Acacia in their stomachs, No room for fish fillet!

The Gobi Desert, though so old, Is not too long forgotten! For people planting, the Green Wall, Remember the great sand world. Mongolian trip SKH Chu Oi, Mei Yee Lai, Poetry: Group 2

Mongolia, Mongolia, What an amazing place you are! You have a lot of things: Like camels, delicious foods, and also the Gobi Desert. Then I would like to tell you about my story in the your desert, You will be surprised of this!

Before the first day of the trip night, My friend and I woke up before the sun was bright. We had a good sleep so that we could be ready for the trip. We started the trip at 08:00 a.m., It was too early for me, But for this exciting trip, I could be very early.

At the airport, I saw my friends were waiting for me: Ryan, Brian, Ashley, Eva, and Billy. They all said: ‘Mei, our necks have been long, Why are you so late?’ I just smiled and asked: ‘When will our trip start?’ They pointed to the paint to the plane.

When we arrived in Mongolia, It was already night, So we took some rest in the hotel, We got ready for the next day’s trip.

On the third day, We went to the desert. On the way, We saw a lot of things. We had seen some people too, I think they were our teachers, since they taught us a lot of things.

In the afternoon, We found a laboratory. We walked into it. ‘Ah!’ Somebody screamed. After that Ryan asked: ‘Where is Billy?’ We could not hear Billy’s voice. Then I found there was a big and long red monster, The Mongolian death worm! We were very scared, So we all ran very fast, But it followed faster than us. We had no ways to stop it.

Suddenly, more Mongolian death worms came to us. We were more scared than before. At that moment, I thought my friends and I will die. When I had this opinion, I saw a light from outside, Then we all ran out of the laboratory. The Mongolian death worms didn’t follow us again, But we had lost one best friend, We were tired and sad, So we cancelled the original plan, And we all said good-bye to finish this trip. What a bad trip we had! Gobi Desert Poem SKH Chu Oi, Brian Wong, Poetry: Group 2

Gobi is big and hot. The people don’t have pots, They are poor, And the lives there are bored. The camels are tall, And they never fall. Gobi only has a little food, But most of the camels are fat. A Mongolian death worm is under the sand. Eating and enjoying people for its beautiful lunch. People are scared, And cried for their mums. One million years ago, Gobi was only a forest. It had lots of pretty animals And also great green trees and seeds. Lots of dinosaurs were alive in the Gobi before They ate fresh meat, And lots of big plants. They lived happily. But one day, Gobi became a big desert. All dinosaurs died. And in the desert, Only their bones. Suddenly, a big black bear came, It stretched its big body. It wanted to eat us for its lunch. Oh! Why are they so hungry? You! Gobi, you give lots of sand to us, And lots of our food died. And now I will die for being their food, I ask you: Are you happy! You! You cruel thing! Nowadays desertification comes. The people now know that a problem comes. Bad! Bad! Bad! This new is very bad. The people’s home is smaller and smaller; But the Gobi is becoming bigger and bigger. People are thinner and fitter, But the Gobi is stronger and fatter. Gobi is like scary monsters, And the people need more doctors, As they breathe too much sand and get sick. And no more fun and tricks. Gobi is like a lion. It eats a lot of green areas. The cute animals are having a big problem, They will all die a few years later. We don’t have enough water and food. Our home China! Where are your warm houses? The people miss them very much. Gobi, you are dangerous. I don’t like you Gobi. Stop eating areas of China! We like our China! You let our homes die. And you laugh all the time. Why don’t you feel ashamed? You make everybody angry. Now people are hard-working, They plant trees hard and quickly Our homes are built again. We like China’s peoples. China, year! Gobi, look we--’Chinaman’ We will beat you, Look sad that you will lose. China, hurray! China, hurray! We will win! We will win! An Interesting Day St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary School, Anthea Chang, Poetry: Group 2

The plants started glowing, With the fury winds blowing. Preventing the new survivals, An esteemed soldier it is.

Some camels passed by, Enjoying the hot boiling sun. Hiking on a sand dune, A sweating face we see.

Oasis is our mother, With plenty food and water. Green plants growing, Rejuvenating the live of nature.

Sunset is what we fear, Cooling like a freezer. Strong winds chasing, Playing hide-and-seek. The Gobi Desert St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary School, Emma Yang, Poetry: Group 2

Stretching across two countries, a huge plain of golden sand topped with snow, snowy snow.

Lying below the snow-capped sand, a creature, ferocious that is, making people shiver, evoking shiver.

Bloodcurdling, a horrendous scene. It is - the Mongolian worm, the Mongolian death worm.

Touching it slightly, with a little finger, means you’re dead, instantly dead.

Crawling on the sand, with fresh-blood colored skin, leaving goo, poisonous goo.

Spitting venom, discharging electricity, killing everything, both ways and along the way.

Showing no visible eyes, no visible mouth, freaking out, freaking mortals out.

Trudging through the treacherous sand, a young man - a muscular man. Braving in clement weather he came to defeat the worm, aspiring to be a hero, a revered hero.

But did he succeed? No one knows… A secret buried, under the golden sand. A Diamante Poem about the Gobi Desert Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Chan Tsz Ching, Sukey, Poetry: Group2

Gobi Desert Uncontrollable, harsh Expanding, spreading, invading Travelers, dunes, animals, Drying, growing, spanning Incredible, wild Waterless The Gobi Desert and Its Crescent Lake Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Chu Lai Ming Rachel, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert with its golden dunes, Is the land of swirls, magic and mysteries. This place, however, holds a secret; It is expanding, invading despite the fantasy it offers. Don’t you feel its dunes’ anger? Don’t you hear the wind sigh? Don’t you see that it’s tired Of all tourists passing by?

A crescent-shaped lake, With its sapphire blue water, Crescent Lake is a traveler’s oasis. Long ago, thousands of pilgrims and merchants On the Silk Road used it before they Proceed to the treacherous Gobi Desert. Yet its demise is approaching. You see, this ancient lake has been shrinking. I am the Gobi Desert Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Pang Kei Lam Violet, Poetry: Group 2

I am the fifth largest desert in the world. I am a very cold desert, yet I can get really hot in the summer. I am the most expansive arid region in the Asian continent. I am the source of numerous fossil finds Including the first dinosaur eggs.

Despite my harsh conditions, I am home to some amazing animals like, Snow leopards, gazelles, golden eagles, bears, and Przewalski’s horses. I cover the northern part of China, and the southern part of Mongolia. I have a crescent-shaped lake, which although it is shrinking, Is still an oasis for weary travelers and tourists alike.

I’m not only distinctively vast and naturally beautiful, But I boast a long and rich history; traders and merchants from the West and the East passed by me when the Silk Route was once a busy road, One of whom was a famous merchant traveler from the West named Marco Polo. He crossed my land bravely hoping to learn from the wisdom of the East.

Now, sadly, I am rapidly expanding to the south of China, And my dunes are forming just a few kilometers from its capital city. I’m taking over your grassland and you call it desertification. But, am I to be blamed for this? Haven’t you realized yet what you’ve done to me?

I am the Gobi Desert. I am the Golden Eagle of the Gobi Desert Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Sare Yin Journ, Poetry: Group 2

I am the mighty Golden Eagle of the Gobi Desert. I see the sun rises as I perch on top of a Mongolian yurt. I can endure the cold weather of the Tian Shan range, And stay in the warmer Gobi steppe for seasonal temperature change.

I soar overhead using my strong vision and powerful wings. I swoop down to catch my prey and rejoice what my left or right talon brings. I am a carnivorous hunter and I like jerboas for food. My size makes it easy for me to find anything that can be chewed.

I fly over the singing sands of the Gobi Desert. But I make sure to stay up high in the sky and be very alert, For hunters love my beauty and agility. If caught, then the rest of my life would be spent in captivity.

I am delighted when you take a picture of me, Hoping that you do me no harm; just let me be. Though I hunt to survive in the vast Gobi, I’m hunted too. Golden Eagle Hunting must be stopped! Don’t you agree?

Why do you hunt me? May I ask? Why do you bother to do such a harmful task? Your reply for sure is, ‘I haven’t got a clue.’ To hunt or not to hunt: that is my question for you. A Wild Horse in the Gobi Desert Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Zhou Yuantian Rebecca, Poetry: Group 2

There’s a wild horse in the Gobi Desert called Takhi or Przewalski’s horse. Its mane is black and it is the only wild horse left in the world, because its living condition is getting worse.

Its coat is brownish grey, its head is large and its body muscular and short. It has long ears, straight shoulders and a Mohawk-like mane. It can survive in the Gobi Desert, but it is not for transport.

Przewalki’s horses s look slightly different from the horses we normally see, So when you travel to the Gobi Desert and see one of the Takhis, Do not jump onto its back with glee!

‘Oh, what a strange looking horse,’ a very amused tourist said. The tourist was so impressed and wanted to run towards the amazing horse. Luckily, a Mongolian man shouted, ‘Don’t come closer to it, for it will see red!’ Which Way? St-Johannes College (Primary Section), Fang Ai Jou Pearl, Poetry: Group 2

The sun burns the sand, The sand burns my feet, The wind blinds my sight, I wait for the night.

There is a dune far-flung in front, Thus the excitement fills my heart. But when I climb to its top part, Sea of dunes is what I confront.

Which way should I go? Does it matter now? Tell me what I owe, I give; let me go.

Rescue me, take me away! Would anyone hear me say? In this god’s forsaken place, Who would hear my cries and race?

Is this how men should live? Is this how men should die? Why should all of us try, If we were sent to die? My Mysterious Gobi Desert Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Charles Choi, Poetry: Group 2

The Gobi Desert has many treasures, People visit for adventures. Gold, fossils and dinosaur eggs, Maybe the desert also has some crabs’ legs! I want to go to the Gobi Desert. It’s a mysterious land, Who knows what I can find in the sand? The Gobi Jerboa Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Jasmine Lam, Poetry: Group 2

The jerboa in the Gobi has long rear legs and tail it hops around the desert on tufted feet without fail

The jerboa in the Gobi has two oversized ears They help the little rodent Detect the presence of fear

The jerboa in the Gobi is active in the night It lives inside deep burrows to hide itself from sunlight. The Gobi Desert Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Cervina Liu, Poetry: Group 2

Oh, Gobi Desert, With rivers all alert. Frightened by the mighty sun, Afraid it’d destroy their fun. With silky scars over your face, Making satellitescurious in space.

Oh, Gobi Desert, Filled with sand and dirt. The sun glaring above the skies, Staring into the daring explorer’s eyes/ In the hours of darkness, He is tortured by your coldness. Camel Ride Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Esther Poon, Poetry: Group 2

Sitting high on the camels back My mind followed another track, Gobi was where I long to be Freedom of mind, let me be free Crossing the sands so vast and wide Nothing but sand dunes either side. I saw an oasis so large looked again it was a mirage. The Gobi dear appeared in front of me The kangaroo rat too I did see. And the gray wolf. Then the ride ended all too soon. Back in the house down was I My ride was over I did sigh, I thank God for creating this beautiful world. A Journey Across Gobi Desert Tsung Tsin Primary School and Kindergarten, Wong Tsun-hang, Poetry: Group 2

Standing on the land, With yellowish-brown sand. Nothing I can hear, Only the ‘sizzling’ sound of fear.

Sitting on the amber, Thinking of the water. Looking at the sky, When will it cry?

The upcoming scary storm, Makes the strong land reform. The plateaus were turned into plains, Sometimes changed to hilly terrains.

Walking through the sandy land, Feeling grateful that I’m a lucky man. I am still alive, I can survive. Ghostly Army of the Gobi Victoria Shanghai Academy, Amber Lloyd, Poetry: Group 2

Trumpets honk, Drumming soars, Sounds of farewell to them all. Off we go to the Gobi for war.

Clattering hooves, Trembling ground, Screams and tears of battle grounds. Here we are, at the forefront of the war.

Sky is gloomy. Wind is chilly. Every night, we’re out shivering. Travelers think we are scary and eerie. But all we are doing is being sent to Gobi fighting.

People come. People go. Marco Polo, explorers and all. Ghostly army stays here and fights. whatever year, whatever century, as long as there are wars. New Tales of the Gobi Desert Yew Chung International School - Primary Section, Tsz Yu Larissa Chan, Poetry: Group 2

I was a tiny black pebble, Lying in a vast carpet of yellow. Wind is our only companion, I’m soaring in the wind, Dancing with it in solitude.

The stamping of hooves broke the silence, My dreadful land came up with a name. When they sighted this lifeless habitat, They say it is the Gobi, The land has an unpredictable attitude.

Life come here and leave, Pebbles and stones, Records of the Gobi, Written on the sand, That can only be erased by the flood.

Cyan armor is shattered, Fluffy fur is torn, Pieces fell on my body. Gore sank into our skin, Snow is dyed rose-red, And humans left us drowning in the blood.

Yellow robes appears in front of our eyes, For thousands of years continuous. Gravers hollowed the brownish rocks, Transformed it into caves of graceful, flying Apsaras. The gorgeous color, Blurred our eyesight.

Sounds of the tingling bells of camels echoed inside my mind, Hooves stepped on my aching back. There’s a rain of silk and rugs, Over our skin, In the bright sunlight.

Red Willows whistle in the wind, Camel thorns keep silent. The Gobi story, Can only be read by the wind of liberty. My world of rolling pebbles and flying sand, Is a combination of joy and sorrow.

Tonight, It’s freezing, Just like the thousands of years of winter nights. Moonlight illuminates the desert, Spreading my silver dream. If I flew to the future, Here, Gobi desert, my homeland, Can I hear the songs of streams wake up? Can I hear the magnificent melody of the chirping birds? Can brown be no longer lonely? In the of the poplar, Can the tears in the desert meet their end? I can only stare, In the distance, Is it a heavenly beautiful paradise of dreams? But who knows what awaits me at the misty shore of tomorrow… Poetry Group 3 New Tales of the Gobi Desert Chinese International School, Yvette Homerlain, Poetry: Group 3

Trudging through a desert huge,! no comfort, home to take refuge. Know how to read the map or sky, or in the desert you’ll surely die. Ten days ago a prophet said “Prepare for you, now a coffin bed, for despite your hopes and your belief, this journey is to bring all grief.” No warnings to you can persuade you go by your business bade. To trade, you cross the desert dare, but you will never make it there. Now company, but two camels left, others lost or gone by theft. Yet another falls in second night, felled by lizard’s poison bite. Still walking on with little hope, you cannot die: continue, cope Do not look back, though sick at heart, you’re but at your journey’s start. Now last camel forever closes eye, do not despair, no time to cry. Take your bags and carry on, no point weeping for what is gone. The Gobi at its cruel best, now sends you another test. Through the rising wind and sand, you suffocate at the desert hand. Storm is forcing you to bend, beware, if you break, you’ll never mend. Mark your breath, and seal your tomb in the desert, meet your doom. Trudged part of the deserts road, optimistic, with your traders load. However, now at home they weep, for you’ll stay with the Gobi forever, in endless sleep. Sandstorm Chinese International School, Anna Leven, Poetry: Group 3

A new town, excitement, villagers, Coming, approaching, all at once. Children, animals, running, yelling, Happy to play as they arrive. Camels bearing bags and supplies, Groaning, swaying, gently walking. Women, dressed in colorful deels, Walking beside their husband’s arm. Feasting, drinking, laughing, eating Fun, festivity, savor and enjoy. Embers, fire, dancing, shadows, Telling stories over the campfire. Cooking, roasting, juicy meats, Sheep, goats, cattle and korkhog. Drinking airag, swallowing, gulping, Feeling drunk on happiness. Waking late, tired, need sleep, Morning work, busy and groggy. Unfinished carcasses, dirty, on the ground, Ashes and scorch marks from the night before. Dust, cleaning, brushing, washing, Women working, men asleep. Snoring gently, unaware, oblivious, Taken by surprise. Constantly speaking, shouting, voices, Deafening noises, hurt and pain. Watching, waiting, silently praying, Huddled together to protect the young. Rushing over the land, a big blanket, Stinging, always, happening again. People, crying, screaming, bawling, Searching for their loves ones lost in the storm. All is well, over, finished, Terror passed, completed and done. Goal achieved, fear indefinite, The storm has gotten what it wants. Always trying, failing, disappointed, Build, fix, mend and repair. Forgotten city, covered, concealed, The brutal remains of the sandstorm. New Tales of the Gobi Desert: Poem Chinese International School, Irene Wang, Poetry Group 3

A town right in the middle, Buried in the heart of it all. It gleams, A cluster of yurts wrapped in solitude. No sound at all, In the Gobi Desert. A slight wind runs across, Picking up your hair. You are here, Finally.

But what waits? Will it be a market? The chickens, Squawking and screeching, In the sand along side the venders. An oasis? Behind the yurts? The blue waves, Distorting your features, A beautiful scene to gaze upon.

The unexpected surprises, The thrills all part of the fun. The town stands there alone, Your long journey, All worth it. Your final destination is, Just only the beginning. The start to your life, Better than ever. But will you go on? Will you accept my challenge?

Go explore the unknown. Live life to the fullest. The clock is ticking, The sand is slipping, Through the hourglasses’ clutch. So go! Run, Squeal, Enjoy while you can! After all that is how my life began. Gobi desert Chinese International School, Kristen Wong, Poetry: Group 3

Darkness falling, Icy hues, Stain the wind swept frozen dunes, An endless ocean of dark blue, Where the golden eagle flew, Now deprived of sun and light, Lunar moon and stars gleam bright.

A mangy animal, Rusty brown, Fills the air with mournful sound, Canine fangs stained russet red, An eerie reaper of the dead,

Moonlight glinting on its fur, Mottled onyx, grey, silver, Dusted hazel, Laced with cream, Fangs and claws sharp, All a-gleam.

Amber, orange, lilac, tan, Taint the chiseled, sculpted sand, Skies of rusty constant red, Sprayed with clouds of whitened bread.

Flaxen feathers break the silence, Cutting, slicing through the islands, That hang, suspended in the air, Claws blaze silver, Beak shines gold, Upon thee flight was bestowed.

Sapphire skies brushed snowy white, Encase a flame of mythic might, A brightened ball of blinding light, Draped in darkened towering heights, Sand shifts under pale cream scales, Sable ripples as it sails, Cross the boundless sea of sand, Quick as lightning, Sharp to strike, Killing with its fatal bite,

Cobalt paints the falling twilight, Silver, ashen pale starlight, Shine upon the wintery land, Bleached, untouched, elegant, tanned, Infinite, inky, primal, grand. The Deadly Desert Creative Secondary School, Alfred Chan, Poetry: Group 3

Green Plains next to the mountainous desert Like gold next to iron A vast barren wasteland of sand Was a deadly place for man.

Sandy and Windy Mysterious and silent The undaunted desert holds its prosperous history As a fertile crescent along the Silk Road.

A group of travelers in a caravan walked into the desert Like mice running into a group of cats. Chatting as the camels walking on the rugged terrain The camels seemed to have lost their direction in the land of death.

As soon as the travelers found out Was it already too late? Heading to Mongolia But not knowing which way to go.

Stranded in the desert day and night With ice covering the caravan in the darkness. Even though the leader wide awake but sleepy at night He still thought of ways to escape. Even with the pressure of the other explorers He still remained calm. And discussed with them Their options and their choice.

With only a few days of food left, The others were more frustrated. With their shadows becoming longer and longer, The leader decided to move on.

They headed west Though not knowing which country they were heading to. A few hours later they found a sign written in local script which they didn’t know.

But the arrow pointed to the direction they were heading And reached before they ran out of food Though they didn’t find things they were grateful To escape from the hands of the monster. Desperate love Creative Secondary School, Eugenia Chan, Poetry: Group 3

A desolated landscape, Has sand as soft as dog’s fur A golden halo under sunshine.

This desert a burning pot in summer, And as frigid as a blanket of frosty beach waves in winter.

There lived a dazzling young lady, With shimmery blue eyes, She looked delicate and charming with her long wavy brown hair. Bayarmaa she was named.

Then came a vigorous young man With close-cropped hair, And eyes as opalescent as the moon. Bataar he was named.

Bayarmaa’s eyes widened When she saw the muscular man. It was surley love at first sight. But…Bataar didn’t know anything about that.

A wedding held by Bayarmaa’s parents, Was the first thing a week later. Bayarmaa gasped and couldn’t believe! Who will she marry? That was the key!

The lad that she will marry , Has eyes as tiny as black seeds. And hair as messy as a group of hay. Bayarmaa moaned and had nothing to say.

Her heart turned into millions of ashes. She truly loved Bataar. But she had no choice, Her parents chose the wrong person.

Her heart was beaten by a hammer. She lost her appetite for the whole day, And couldn’t eat at all. She became weaker day by day, and couldn’t support herself.

As the days went by, the weather was burning her skin. Tanner she became. Weaker she became. Bataar didn’t seem to care much of Bayarmaa, And that made her weaker.

Soon, the night before the wedding, Her eyes were dull. Her skin was pale. She was thinner than a toothpick with slumped shoulders. She couldn’t support herself. Then she fell to the ground.

Thump! Down she fell, on the blanket of golden sand. The cold breeze from the night blew her soul away. And it glided to the grave. Winner

Roam Creative Secondary School, Irene Wu, Poetry: Group 3

Dunes as high as mountains, yellow as gold, brown as oak. Burns like a fire, freezes like ice, as deadly as a python.

The sky, blue and grey, stretched across above the desert. Dotting the sky, white and floating, Clouds of cotton candy.

Roaming these lands, a lady of twenty-two, fighting for survival, with the natural horrors of this land. With black eyes like a tiger that widen and narrow as they see the world around them.

When she runs, black hair flying, she is as soundless and as graceful as a panther. For she was banished from ill-graced country and lived to get revenge.

Her face, tight and angular, complete with a scar running down her jaw. She, having only a waterskin and a dagger, runs alone, day by day.

All who try to find the borders of this death perish, only she had not. Living on other animals, lizards, snakes and mice alike. Cactus quenched or a lonely lake.

Better to die, many had said, but she ignored them as she went. For she never liked the country anyway, and was hungry for an adventure.

So to say, no one expected her to live, and only provided her only the dagger. Nothing else, no provisions. Sent off into a deadly land, so deadly a soul could die. Alas, she was starved, every minute, every day, but she survived, nonetheless, and continued her lethal journey.

Once under the sun, she had chased out a lizard, skinned it, ate it, poison. She retched for a day, in sand, sand, and more sand.

After a hard-fought year, her exhilarant journey finally came to a stop. Not a total stop, but she wasn’t alone anymore, for…

One day she was hiking up a sand dune, and over it, she saw a land dotted with huts, a sight she’d never seen before.

She hid, for a while, Looking around and peeking at this lonesome village wedged in a shady valley. She hoped she would find a friendly bunch.

As she expected, the people there were as tough as she was, as quick as she was, but not as lonely as she thought.

About 80 tough travelers lived here, children and elderly alike, for they were so unyielding, you couldn’t tell the difference. She could tell they were invulnerable, so climbed back to the dune, and charged down the slope and yelled in defiance.

All of them heard her and rushed to defend, but saw she was kneeling, holding up a dagger as an offer, They held her up, and welcomed her. Finding out it was a nomadic tribe, she forged a new name, a new identity. Her old one was Sea, and from them on, lived as C. Land of Wonder Creative Secondary School, Clio Chong, Poetry: Group 3

Saphire air burning, With colours bright and bold. Rainbow painted by the Mother Nature, To add a bit of wonder to the dark, grey world..

The hungry wind howled, In the unseen air. Not a single person in sight, Not even a piece of hair.

Golden grain was blown everywhere From the furious South When the unfortunate travelers past It is bound to get in their mouth.

Mountain-like sand domes With patterns of zigzag wire They are smooth waves of ocean They are red hot fire.

In the hostile desert, The cactus and the cacti live. Although not much living things, Deadly scorpions and desert fox are active

A camel-drawn carriage appear, Behind the crimson curtain was a girl. Overlooking the horizon, As stunning as a pearl.

Foreign princess From afar. Under the radiant moonlight, Her eyes glisten like the nocturnal star.

Where is the final destination? As if on cue, The sure-footed camels went heavenward, And the journey continues. The creeping shadows Creative Secondary School, Titus Chow, Poetry Group 3

In the land of death, killers hiding everywhere. Echoes of footsteps sending underground, the unknown creeping slowly behind. Dark shadows darting, locating prey through gaps in sand. Ready for a sudden attack, catch the prey and devour.

Creepers crawling through the sand, alerting everything nearby. All competing to catch the prey, in search of ways to get close. Racing through the sand, showing their claws and their teeth. Bite the prey and poison it, dragging the prey from the others.

In the lonely and dark tunnels, ripping flesh from the body. Watching out for invaders, always ready for a leap. Any movement happening, all captured by its eyes. An object hit the ground, causing sand to move.

A grey piece moved into its sight; raise its head up and staring at it. Slowly moving more close, more sand came down. A small rock rolled down, it released its alarm. Refocus back on the prey, tearing flesh again. The Gobi’s Spell Creative Secondary School, Gigi Fung, Poetry: Group 3

There she wandered in the majestic Gobi Once a fertile place, Now barren, with nothing. And without a trace.

Beautiful mountains of sand, Attracts brave adventurers to its land. Daylight dissolves into heat missiles, Shooting into your heart.

Her hair flies through the hot air, Sweats down, moist the ground. Long sleeves and thin fabric, In Mongolia she found.

Sand is what she holds, the door of mirages open. Water is nothing but games, all life depends on the mighty Sun.

Pounce! The slithering comes, rattles like a baby’s toy. Eyes as thin as hair, yet it still sees.

Hot air traps her body, she falls and lands. What will she do? Before her eyes, a reflection

The air hurts her eye. The more she goes forward, The more it runs away, Running for a mile, it had disappeared.

Desperate for a drip of moisture, The coolness comforts her mouth. There she couldn’t hear the mermaids, Only the hiss of snakes. No water found, Even though lakes are near. Marching into her sandy grave. Where predators lie.

You could say no word, So dry, you couldn’t bear. Your brain protects your view, Or is it heat stroke?

The clam shells shut, You feel dizzy. What has happened? The comforts returns in a deep sleep. By Gigi Fung Desperation Creative Secondary School, Gabi Leung, Poetry: Group 3

A vanilla-streaked carpet covering the dome of the world, Fragile sand mountains ready to shatter a touch, Like the first draft of pyramids sculpted with nature’s clay. Scattered camels, as settled as rocks, gaze up to the blue of the sky with fan-lashes.

The clouds glisten, as if succumbing to the heat as well, Ah, the desert, A piece of thirsty ice consuming the grains by night, A simmering furnace of invisible flames cocooning all by day.

A traveler blonde and fair, Venturing through the whipping wind. An explorer well-prepared, Sand venturing through his eyes.

He had dreamed of the ocean wide, He had dreamed of the water’s shimmer. The land of heat and dry before him Would never be a substitute.

When his eyes shut he could remember The cool feel of the garden hose and The glow of his family Oh why had he ever asked for an adventure?

He sat on the sand dejected, Feeling nothing but horrible heat. An explorer once enthusiastic, Now a boy missing home.

He blocked the tears before they fell, Crystalline carvings jammed in their skintight ducts. Continuing his journey, Hope for safety and rest his only thought.

Golden wisps dance before his vision, Mocking me, he thinks. As he places one foot in front of the other, They begin to mirror his frantic thoughts. After the wave of emotion has drained, One foot in front of the other again; Steadily, this time. He pushes his mind to remember his research.

Light-coloured clothes, water— Stay alert for scorpions— “Hot, dry nothingness.” Calm, calm.

His notes remind him of a million things he neglected, And he wonders why he ever listened; “Live a little! Don’t always be so cautious!” But will he get to live after this? Footprints in the Gobi Creative Secondary School, Justine Wai, Poetry Group 3

During the day, A turquoise blanket covers the sky from above, As clear and blue as the ocean. Shadows are cast by the majestic desert giants, Standing tall and proud, trying to reach for the skies.

The red hot afternoon sun shines bright and strong, With shiny golden sparks glistening in the sand. The glorious orange sun is neglected, and often misunderstood. Like the boiling anger, rising from the desert grounds.

A curtain of pastel colours rises from the south, The desert, painted by a talented artist. Shining bright, with great delight. As the brave warrior heads west.

Footprints, left in the sand by travelers, Trying to find the beauty in life, Except to sleep and eat.

Living life for the first time, As the rough hot sand rubs against their skin. Slowly closing their eyes, As they feel the wind’s embrace.

They walk into the sunset, Leaving a trail of footprints in the sand. Finally, feeling their purpose in the world, Learning to leave a mark.

The young travelers leave for home. Sensing their own importance, And continuing to be remarkable. We too, can do incredible things, More than just living through this life. Gobi Desert, Day and Night Creative Secondary School, Adrian Wong, Poetry Group 3

Time flies, Full with secrets, Hiding between sound, Colour up the Gobi. Gobi gets angry, Sand flies over and over. People covered, under the sand. Coming back? Never never ... People running away, “Thank god, thank god!” God saved us, The trouble left, Safely, Warmly. “Finding Gold, thats my goal.” Batbayar digging holes, down and down. “Survival test won’t shock me” Batbayar’s day and night, all the way with the camel Elite, Shiny Sunshine in the morning. In the night there won’t be any light. On the way of the trip Batbayar tripped, Down the rail. Dyed the rail with blood. The road back to home, hard and pain. No Elite, no help. How can I do this? The Gobi Desert Creative Secondary School, Melody Yuen, Poetry: Group 3

Day and night, how fast it changes.Over the slopes and under the sky. A mystery it is how strong it is,changes before you even know. Animals walking by, with sparkles in their eye and away the sparkles left. Deadly desert is how Gobi is, bones and pain and death and bodies.

What a killer it is, it snows and rains and shines and changes. away lifes went and fossils they became, covering mysteries you will never know. A sound echos, you will never believe that object exists. a train is coming! Saving you from animals, thirst and hunger. How strong you are if you can survive. How normal you are if you are dead.

A bull went by with its kid and tiredness It saw the train went by and dashed through the desert They stopped the train, saliva dripping from their mouths The bull moaned and looked into the soldier’s eye The soldier’s heart melted and dropped down a cup of water the two bulls gulped wildly, thats how dry the desert is

The kid jumped and jumped and got missing It’s mother wailed and called and called She ran and ran with tears in her eyes she got tired and fainted under the sun Two lions went by fighting for a dead mouse They saw mother bull and darted towards her They tore her into pieces, and licked their lips The kid peeked through the cacti and cried out loud The lions saw him… and everything went black. By Melody Yuen The Floating Sands Discovery College, Nicole Woo, Poetry: Group 3

Cold wind, tired feet and trembling hands I slowly rise from the soft, pale sands Awaiting for the spooky legend, a ghostly one Of Khara Khoto, now the tale has begun

With nothing in sight, just pot and bone Listen closely as you might hear a moan The tiny pieces of a historical event You might just feel the erode descent

No one dared to go near them No one dared to condemn A long time ago, not so far away Black City was violent, eager to slay

But soon enough, they couldn’t contain their thirst Khara Bator killed his family and himself first The Ming came rushing, and slaughtered the rest What they did, it was for the best

But did you ever curiously wonder Or maybe just suddenly ponder If there were still ghostly remains The feelings of Khara Bator, going through pain

Why don’t you experience this, come and see If this legend is true, maybe you’ll agree The legend of Khara Khoto, the floating sands Just like I did, rising with trembling hands. Delivery Boy Dulwich College Beijing, Marianne Lu, Poetry Group 3

He clatters along the well-worn path, Clutching at the reins. And jolts upward with every bump Lined across the uneven terrain.

He ducks to avoid a thicket of branches And skillfully shields his head. The dim lights streaming in his eyes, Signals a village ahead.

White yurts are scattered in small, neat clusters On a plain of golden sand. A dirt path winds across the village, Snaking across the land.

He grabs from a bag a handful of notes That he’s been entrusted to deliver, He skims through the mass of messages To be handed to these villagers.

He sighs as he reads through page after page, Of pointless monotonous repetition: Notes of ‘Meet me by the dunes at four’, He sighs at his tedious mission.

His experienced fingers flip through the notes, Sorting in droning labor. He wishes it took less exertion To send messages to your neighbors.

He mounts off his camel with a graceful leap, And brushes off soot and dirt. He places a crumpled note in the hands of The inhabitant of the first yurt.

He works his way through village after village, Wiping off drops of sweat. When he arrives at the entrance of the very last yurt, His shirt is soaked and wet. A distant rumble and a puff Indicate a speed train rushing by. He wonders bitterly if it’s taking passengers To a world of express-mail and Wi-Fi. WHO AM I? Harrow International Hong Kong, Jasmine Coleman-Allan, Poetry: Group 3

My land is barren and bare Nothing to see, nothing to do, My land is jagged and stiff Nothing moves, nothing lives, My land is inhospitable and dead Nothing to eat , nothing to drink, It covers 1,295,000 km2 All is blank, all is unknown, My land is mountainous, rough and rugged Nothing flat, nothing straight , My land is bitter in winter No sun or even heat , My land swelters and scorches In the long summer days, I am expanding day and night A long forgotten empire conquering different lands My land is known as the waterless desert Nothing survives, everything dies, Who am I?

40 different species roam my plains Including the Wolf, the Camel, the leopard and the Bear, Sadly not many call me true home Forever living a nomadic solitary life, I am full of nooks and crannies For Little animals to build their homes, Many are nocturnal to escape the burning heat Sleep all day and prey all night, Snow leopards pace on my rocks While Camels walk unsuspectingly by, Scorpions and snakes wriggle and writh And squirm like worms in the ground, Camouflaged animals play hide and seek in the dunes Without a care or a worry in the world , Hibernating Squirrels in the summer Don’t realize what they are missing, Faded padded foot prints leave their memories in the sand While Thick syrupy urine sticks me together , Who am I? Some things live on me but never move Long stringy roots digging deep into my heart, Sucking my essence and my soul Leaving only dust and arid land in its path, The Saxual tree is like a live oasis, giving life Wild onions nearly as good as hazelnuts, I cannot believe that these plants fight on My harshness test the strength of survival, Cacti love my dangerous terrain Some seeds to lazy to bloom till it rains, Others only flower at night in the cool While leafless plants do grow and strive, Animals nibble heartily on the prickly pears Sweet and succulent , but has a sharp bite , Rain soft as tears on my face Making a blanket of colour before my eyes, Palms sway like people in the wind Rocking backwards and forwards listening to my music Who am I?

I often have mood swings, violent , extreme and sudden I go from peaceful ,rage ,beauty and death all in a day, When I am angry I blind and pierce anything in my path Swirling sands create confusion and loss of way, Everything is covered with a film of my body Which breaks away from the ground and rises up, My angry does not last long, I fall to the ground Exhausted and drained of all energy , When I am peaceful everywhere around me is tranquil and still I feel relaxed and do not move as if I am a painting , Everything is frozen even the wind I feel like I am sleeping, having sweet dreams, Nothing can wake me, nothing can anger me As I am peaceful my setting becomes more beautiful, Rare oasis glint in the sun like glass Lush green palms drape lazily over me , Fat juicy plums calling me to pick them A slight breeze rustling the leaves, of the Saxual trees, Who am I?

The sky going pink, orange and yellow The most beautiful of sunsets, As I get too peaceful and more beautiful I become more deadly Death and destruction follow me like a shadow, It lurks in every corner waiting to strike the innocent Death is the Grim-reaper, Camel bones litter the floor Goat heads stick out of me like warning signs, Dried up plants wither to the ground Others struggle to survive to prove they are the fittest, Crashed planes scatter my plains Bits land here and bits land there, Wrecked boats cover my dunes Its quite a mystery how they got there, I am a dried up ocean ,a graveyard for all that pass me Unable to survive myself ,lonely and afraid, No one to talk to, no one to share my thoughts In sadness I cause havoc, havoc and more havoc Who am I?

Many scientists believe that there is a wormhole Between me and the Bermuda triangle , There have been to many disappearances Things that have ended up on the other side of the world, No humans have been found But People mourn their friends and family , Maybe they were sucked inside the wormhole, time traveling Or regurgitated on my shores in little pieces, The wormhole is like secret passages An ants nest with different chambers leading to the heart , My lands have become labs for major research Poked, prodded, dissected and analysed , I bleed internally ,none one knows how much I suffer No one knows I am alive , I have been closed of to the world Fences and barbed wires snake through my home , I feel more like an outcast None loves me , Who am I?

Mongolians explore my landscape Their eagles swoop and capture their prey, They use me as a rubbish bin Throwing bits of bone into my sand, Hooves pound against me ,running like the wind Faster and faster they go until they are a blur, Night falls, laughter fills the air, a fire flickers Sometimes I wish I could join them, hunting and joking, Men smoke hand made cigars bitter and sweet The smell lingers in the air ,then carried off by the wind, Generation after generation and still nothing has changed It is like they are in a time warp, not in the future, but pondering on the past, Moving camp day by day, week by week Only settting their yurts when night falls, Meeting only with nomadic tribes for weddings and parties I love to watch them get together and tell adventurous tales , Children play football with a goats bladder to pass time Sometimes they play hockey on horses as well. Who am I ?

I am being invaded ,no longer all alone Coke cans and cigarette butts now litter my floor , Motor cycles and cars zoom around destroying the peace Music blares and empty bottles are thrown out to be forgotten, Tourists arrive in buses snapping photos of my nakedness Talking on phones and leaving their footprints, Huge white silver birds soar over me ,a sight I have never seen before They go faster then horses ,intimidating me with their noise and smoke trail , My Saxual forest is disappearing , replaced by houses And Solar panels dress my naked body , My land is going ,being replaced by humanity Soon I will become a major city and the past will be lost, No one will care about my history Or shed a tear that I am gone , I fight back with all my might I strike terror into their hearts , I am unstoppable ,untamable and uncontrollable Perhaps I will survive Who am I? The Sand Harrow International Hong Kong, Mei Law, Poetry: Group 3

Swirling through the cloudless sky, Spinning like a needle, Drowning plants and passers by, Merciless like the devil, Rough like a raging sea, Vicious like a viper, Howling and prowling through the night, Creeping through dawn and out of sight.

But then the beast becomes an angel, With her fluttering of wings, So silent she sings. Drifting through the gentle wind. Her song is heard from all around. Her pride so great she wears a crown, With her sweet, soft and cheerful tune, Singing up towards the moon.

And when she’s calm she’s simply still, Resting on the sloping hill. A castle! Majestic turrets and moat she needs, Her marvellous glory for all to see. A castle fit for a king for a day, Until the children come out to play. My life Harrow International Hong Kong, Georgia Smith, Poetry: Group 3

Through the dry, liquid mounds trudging along, In my mind, listening to the sad song, Playing over and over, when will it stop? My life, like a clock, running out of time.

The sun, beating down on my neck, It’s glaring down on my helpless body laughing, Enjoying my death, My eyes are covered with teardrops of sweat, My tongue trying desperately to grasp at any liquid, None comes to my precious tongue. My life, like a jack in a box, about to go pop goes the weasel.

I stare at the life, forever shifting ground, It’s not solid it’s inhumane, As the wind blows a person is drags way, far away from here, Oh, how lucky they are, The tiny people slither and seep into the gaps of my toes, For shelter from the evil, laughing sun, My life, like a diver, slowly running out of air.

I grab my water bottle. Liquid comes, no, My throat scratches with every swallow, My eyes burn with every blink, My feet sink in the poor, mourning souls waiting for wind, I fall to my knees, in the warm soft golden, pure human beings, There bodies being roasted, slowly baking in the sun’s mighty glare, I give up, My life, like a string about to snap, SNAP, the string went. I went down. The Horse Named Chance Harrow International Hong Kong, Ella Stranger, Poetry: Group 3

In the aged town of Erenhot, On the Mongolian border it lay, Was a clumsy scared little foal, Who went by the name Ji Hui,

His mother wanted the best for him, For he was in his blood a wild horse, Sadly they were trapped in a farm, So she set him on the correct course.

One cold evening she told Ji Hui, That he must travel to Ulaanbaatar, It is a deadly journey through the Gobi, To find his father from afar,

Ji Hui accepted his hard fate, He waved off his mother goodbye, He drank some water and walked off, And had left before sunrise,

The Gobi looked very cruel to him, No life in it’s barren land, He ploughed slowly through the bare rock, Then found the dunes full of sand

“I can do it!” he exclaimed, Ji Hui was hopeful and true, He happily started a , And was feeling fine until noon,

His hope was starting to falter, And his hooves were wearing away, Why had he been so naïve? For once he was getting afraid

“What is this monster named Gobi!? Why do I feel sullen and drained?” The thirst had singed his throat, And he collapsed in extreme pain, It was too late to turn back now, Then suddenly he heard a groan, And there under sunshine, Was a musk ox lying on stone,

“Young traveler I am Zerleg, As wise as moon and sun, Do not give up little JI Hui, For your journey has only begun.”

Astonished was poor little Ji Hui, Zerleg was tough yet so wise, His tone layered in masculine, Yet kindness flowed through his eyes,

“I know it is water you plead for, And I know where there is a spring, Let me join your travels, For I know a lot of things”

Ji Hui calmly followed Zerleg, Because in him he found trust, Still though his muscles were aching, And his eyes were full of dust,

Then the temperature dropped down low, And a bitter icy wind blew, Overhead was a piercing screech, Where a quick golden eagle flew,

“My good friends Zerleg and young horse, It seems that you are lost! Just keep going, you’re not too far, Just don’t get covered in frost

Ji Hui I am Od the eagle, I am here to give you aid, The spring you seek is north, I will now be on my way”

Zerleg was now on the right track, And they eventually found the spring, Water trickling through the stones, They greedily began drinking , When Ji Hui and Zerleg were finished, They set off to Ulaanbaatar, By then it was past nightfall, So they followed the great North Star,

Suddenly they saw Od speeding, But lots of fear layered her eyes, She screeched and cried loudly! It gave Ji Hui a nasty surprise.

“A sandstorm has been building up! It’s blazing and coming this way! We need to find shelter! Or this may be our last day!

Follow me Ji Hui and Zerleg! We’ll take shelter behind this stone, Close your eyes- don’t let sand in, For the wind is starting to moan!”

All three hid behind a large rock Scared of what would happen soon, It was getting musty and cloudy, And they couldn’t see the moon

Then the first wave battered the land, In the form of a dark sand cloud, And although Ji Hui’s eyes were closed, He heard the storm howling loud

For a second Ji Hui thought, That he heard the wind call his name “Chance! Chance! Chance Chance!” It was driving the poor foal insane

Curiosity got the best, Temptation finally gave in, Ji Hui opened his eyes, And sand rushed past, forced by wind

It struck his heart with pure terror The storm was a beast charging through, Darkness swelled around him, This petrified feeling was new,

Ji Hui shrieked loudly with pure fright, He kicked and screamed and neighed, Ji Hui was uncontrollable, For the little horse was afraid,

Zerleg heard the foal’s desperate cries, He knew there was something to do, “Young one the storm is nearly done” And his low voice began to soothe.

The storm began to slowly die, Leaving bare rock covered in sand Daylight was slowly rising though, Leaving a new mysterious land.

Ji Hui was truly astonished, So many dunes you couldn’t count them, He saw the desert in a new light, And in front stood the proud mountains.

Od chirped and merrily flapped, She cawed and screeched in delight, “Huzzah! The storm is now over” And she happily broke into flight

“We must climb over these mountains, For we my friends are not too far, Over these large mountains are plains, After the plains is Ulaanbaatar!”

Zerleg gave an assuring nod Walking steadily where Od flied, Ji Hui briskly followed his friends, “Zerleg! Wait for me!” he cried

The three began to climb upwards, The peak was lightly topped with snow, “Slow and Steady,” whispered Zerleg Suddenly there was a cry below!

It was an ear-piercing scream, Mixed with a loud vicious roar, The sharp sound was heard once again, But this time closer than before,

“Stay still and silent”, ordered Zerleg Od flew down and hid in a tree, Ji Hui tried hard to stay frozen, But couldn’t stop his wobbling knees,

He heard the crunch of a beast’s paw, And it’s steady rumbling breath, Ji Hui waited for it to pounce, To give him a quick gruesome death,

“Everyone quickly go!” Od shrieked, Ji Hui ran at maximum speed, He saw Zerleg galloping too, They needed to escape the beast,

Ji Hui sprinted up the mountain, The scared foal then quickly glanced back, And saw a vicious snow leopard, Following quickly in Ji Hui’s tracks.

It’s eyes were mean and ice cold blue, It’s face in a scrunched up frown, Then suddenly high up above, Was Od the eagle swooping down.

But the leopard was now closer, There was not any time to waste, Or Ji Hui’s life might end right here, In the snow leopard’s eyes of hate,

Od’s sharp black talons facing up, Her bright eyes were fixed on her prey Her large wings were outstretched and wide, And she came in with no delay.

Her talons clawed into the leopard, The white monster fell to the ground, They fought and slashed and battled, Then Zerleg came speeding around

“Enough!” the big musk ox shouted, And he swung his heavy head below, Ramming his horns into the beast, Then wildly shook him to and fro.

Zerleg lifted his large left leg, And slammed the leopard down the hill, The beast rolled into the dark dust, Making sure it was gone for real

“There is no danger now, Ji Hui”, Zerleg promised his words sincere, From the look in his topaz eyes Ji Hui knew there was no fear

Ji Hui felt grateful and loved Zerleg and Od had been so kind, JI Hui knew they would protect him, Because once more they saved his life,

“Thank you dearly Od and Zerleg! You’ve always cared strongly for me!” “No problem at all!” chirped Od, “I’m glad I can keep you happy!”

Zerleg guided everyone down, To the plains where the journey ended, Ji Hui felt a touch of sadness, To lose the friends he befriended, The plains were all in harmony,

Grass gently sprinkled in sunshine, Swaying to the same Desert breeze, Were long reeds of many types Tickling Ji Hui’s thin little knees.

There ahead was a Mongol tent, Where a sleepy camel lay, He was lazily chewing grass, And lounging about in the shade,

The three approached the camel, Who only accepted to talk, He refused to move or run around, And definitely wouldn’t walk, “Ah! My old friends Od and Zerleg! And the foal-what a great surprise, I know where his father went, And I won’t tell a single lie.

First little horse, I am Jafar , Transported from the Middle East, A mean hunter owned me, Then I met your father you see.

Your mother was going to have you, She escaped down into China, Your father was getting chased, By the vulgar greedy hunter.

The hunter wanted his proud head, But your father went to fight back, He killed the first evil hunter, But more hunters went to attack.

The hunters had a new weapon, The merciless deadly gun, And sadly it’s silver bullet, Was something he couldn’t outrun.”

JI Hui was shocked by his story, For this struck his little heart, The ugly truth of Jafar’s words, Tore Ji Hui’s soul apart,

Then he realized slowly, He was not returning back home, His family was Od and Zerleg, And his life now were plains to roam

His family rested down, Watched the glowing sun set slowly, Where the wind whispered words, Lighting the magic of the Gobi. A Sad Desert Tale HKUGA College, Stephanie Lee, Poetry: Group 3

Remember that fateful day His doomed future was sealed. It started off as a playful bet Then everything became real.

Remember that fateful day He swore to cross the Gobi. Those parting words still lingered Asking “How hard could it be?”

Now, ignorance has taken its toll.

Across the barren yellow canvas, Below the clear blue sky, A lonely traveler calls out, But all is quiet, no reply.

The empty canteen rattles, Desperate for a water hole. His concrete legs dragging along And suddenly, he sees his goal.

A pond of hope, a need for survival. So down, down, down he charges To find his final burst of energy Wasted, by a cunning mirage.

His heart sinks a thousand miles, His shoulders sag in defeat. A cry of anguish fills the air, As he collapses in the heat.

“Silly me,” the dying man thought, His thoughts filled with dread, Hanging on the brink of death, As vultures circled overhead. Kushi in the Sand Holy Family Canossian College, Ho Yan Ping Alva, Poetry: Group 3

Her curly hair is black like ink. Those sparkling eyes with a little wink. Here blows the bracing brutal wind, Kushi is her name the gale melodically screams.

On the blazing sand her tip tap toes dance, Spinning like a phoenix flying in the sky. A tiny hand bell in her soft hand holds. I’ve found the girl of fire in the Gobi, The beauty of the burning rose. The Words of the Gobi Desert Holy Family Canossian College, Lam Wing Yi Eda, Poetry: Group 3

The southern part of my body has been aching, The ploughing has given me pain. None of them will know my feelings, None of them will cry my ache.

They thought of me when they needed me, They’ve forgotten me now that I’ve been exploited. Learning that you ploughing another, My heart is like a heavy stone.

They would never stop hurting you Until you are no longer nutritious. At first you will think you’re useful, But years after, you will think you are virtuous

But now it is you who is just sitting here, Looking on without lifting a finger Just using your mouth to ‘interfere’ What the DISPARITY between you and them? Shortlisted

The Fathers of the Oviraptor Holy Family Canossian College, Leung Tsoi Man, Allison, Poetry: Group 3

Gaiting on this squirming land In grimy boots on shifting sand, Burning red faces and greasy ears, They know no fears—let alone tears.

Golden eagles are flying in the wild blue yonder, Peeking at them like secret spies in ponder. Camels say in their furry sweater, How spunky, so spunky they are! A rare snow leopard is strolling around Admiring them without a sound. Men continue with their brawny legs, To scramble for bistre dinosaur eggs.

The desert may tan them with the scorching sun And leave behind some traces of dun, The desert may burn them with fiery flame In this lengthy tough hunter game, The desert may freeze them with frosty snow And glaciate them before they know.

They trudge through the vast desert Wearing stinky sweaty t-shirts. These red flaming cliffy places Are the colours of their faces.

Gripping the precious eggs prudently, They grin at them victoriously. Grabbing their hefty full backpacks, ‘Who cares if our skin has turned black?’ A Herd of Camels , William Grosse, Poetry: Group 3

Across the many mountains old, plains hilly and forests cold: there is a vast desert with canyons and dunes, and a nomad’s yurt, under the moon.

Inside it was a middle aged man, following a camel herd, for his clan. This was the year 1213, when Genghis Kahn was a killing machine.

On the edge of the huge rocky summits, a wild cat fell from a ledge and plummets. Our nomad caught him, gave him food, tamed him, as if he was one of his brood.

Through ancient shrines crumbling, his horse tripping and stumbling, statues of the lord Buddha, monk’s skeletons, long finished with their murmurs.

The journey is harder, camels being killed by wolves. the herd shrinking, thwarting the man’s goals. The two humped shaggy beasts are becoming weary; our hero’s cat becoming more sneery.

Months go by, little progress, the nomad’s chances becoming less. The grey-bricked Great Wall comes into sight; suddenly Chinese warriors appear, spoiling for a fight,

The man fires a burst of arrows at the rampage; the soldiers are still not discouraged. Arrows run out, our hero clashes swords; Chinese run, and blood pours.

Tired and wounded, hobbling through the night, relieved of all his power and might. He was a wilted tree under the sun; an old leper who’s good days are done. The man falls on the ground. He lifts his head up to a crackling sound. Glowing fires come into view. He sees his native camp, saved from the harsh winds that blew.

The thing that makes his journey worthwhile; the camels were following him mile after mile. He brings them back to his bustling home; deals are made in gold, under a yurt’s cloth dome.

Here we end our story, with a happy nomad. Camels, villagers and wild cats are not sad: over many mountains old, plains hilly and forests cold. The 6th Sense Hong Kong Academy, Gwenyth Slaughter, Poetry: Group 3

The spreading of fear is as close as virulent mist through clear air, Fear gets swallowed by the senses of ones body, The taste is more brisk than cold blood gurgling up your throat, It is though you breath in cold air for long periods of time, The smell is vacant with no feeling it is just stark, The sight is being blind, An open space with no vanishing point, the sound is just a cool breeze whistling around me, With stories being carried in the wind which is the path from history, and there is no touch, because when you have fear you are alone,

I feel a sixth sense, When I am standing in fear, I feel this burning in my heart, Mixed signals on what to feel, because I can’t feel anything, In the Gobi Desert what I feel in my heart just makes the body shut down, The Gobi Desert is so empty that is the beauty, It can not be mistaken by fear, Its a quite void of history, with no way of showing it, That is the fear, of not knowing, but fear is not there, It is the imagination on what happened throughout this wind, The imagination is what happened throughout the soul, WIthin each breeze it is a new tale of the Gobi Desert. The Gobi Desert , Jordan Chan, Poetry: Group 3

Cold and arid with no movement lies a barren wasteland, Where your vision could view nothing but a thousand miles of sand and stone. Cunning critters would battle through, stuffed in the winter nights of their own motherland, The other anemic passive ones will get their share of bones.

At night, the soothing breeze whispers through the desert, The sky is cloudy with a chance of a random star. The children drift off to sleep in the delicate atmosphere, While the father sings a song to show his care.

The nomadic life is pastoral, Moving in search of best pastures and campsites. Making sure that food is ample, Strolling along with the hospitality of the comforting sun.

The desert originally a naturally deserted piece of rocky land, Which developed into a fascinating superb life battleground. Golden Kingdom Island School, Justin Mak, Poetry: Group 3

I once met an old man in Ulaanbaatar, He told me a story of a place not that far. A golden kingdom in isolation, But with a worldwide reputation.

This realm, he said, was a place woven into history, Yet much about it was still a mystery. He knew that it was part of the Mongol Empire, But there, now nomads are the only masters of fire.

Fantastic treasures made the headline news, Dino egg fossils, unearthed by an intrepid crew. Jobs there were open, for the seven dwarfs, As that place was also a gold and copper source.

This domain is also homeland, To many creatures who both great and grand. There goes the ibex, climbing skilfully, Flashes of brown, golden eagles swooping down surely.

And to this day, explorers still travel, To this remote dominion of sand, dirt and gravel. Trekking through this land of wonder, Untouched beauty, and splendour.

That was the end of his tale, So I gave him some coins – “Here, it’s for some more ale,” I got up from my chair, and just noticed, That he didn’t tell me that place’s name.

But I already knew, since there’s No other golden kingdom so isolated, No other historical realm so mysterious, No other sandy dominion so remote,

Except the Gobi Desert. Thy Mystical, Golden Desert King George V School, Hellas Lee, Poetry: Group 3

A gust of icy winds squall, yet the dunes prevail. Rain tumbles upon sand, yet the desert still grows. Into the grasslands of China Thy desert shall overtake. Shall the Green Wall of China, the government’s new proposal Finally dominate the expansion?

Home to unique species of living, 1.3 million square kilometers of pure, golden grains. Few can overcome the journey of the dry area, From the north of China to the south of Mongolia. Thy desert is the most expansive arid region in Asian continent. No wonder you are the fifth largest desert in the world!

The people climb the exhilarating dunes dipped in snow, To journey from one country to another. Thy same people shall be charmed by the diverse species, The land of Gobi holds. Clamorous camels, gleaming gazelles, And we shalt not forget the saxaul trees!

The territory is one for important, crucial historic finds, Like fossils of all kinds, Such beauty under the layers of sand. History unveiled to people of the world. From ancient till present, Shall thy desert stand.

No memory shall ever forget such a desert, Such a mystical, golden desert… Shortlisted

Hope - I believe in you again King George V School, Kellie Ling, Poetry: Group 3

Goodbye, dear Oasis- My basin of chances, I had everything…

Including the never-ending energy supply Gushing around like a rushing river. I had fresh eager eyes pointing towards The solitary lands which have now captured My vitality.

Along with the loving smile of my dearest, The tender expression my parent’s faces displayed, And the kindness showed by each and every stranger. The lonely Gobi has seized My happiness.

As well as the hard-earned green papers, Stacked neatly upon each other. At present, my safe consists of nothing. The dreary desert has collected My wealth.

Now, I have nothing. Even those last drops of hope…

Who knew that As I strolled through my ending existence, Feelings of disappointment would plague me At both what I did and didn’t do. Hope, where are you?

Who knew that The sand storms, the sun would soon silence me? Who knew that The droughts, the dehydration would soon be my demise? Hope, why bid me farewell?

My lips were a pair of grinding pebbles, As I lay in the dry sand motionless, Having waited for the desert to swallow me. I felt the sunrays crawl on me once again- Like an ant on a bare, bleached branch.

Swoosh!

Dark, deafening thunderclouds raced across the sky As they reached to cover the sun. The sound of rumbling rang in my ears, while Glistening crystals dripped down from above, And Hope tended to my crimson skin.

Rain.

Hope - I believe in you again. Shortlisted

My Life in Gobi Desert Korean International School, Nabilah Ismail, Poetry: Group 3

The Camel’s Hump The Camel’s hump is an ugly lump.

The sand was soft and smooth, as we gently slightly passed through.

But slowly we travelled down through the dust and heat Not a road from the Gulf to the Border but carried the print of the camel’s feet.

The creek by the road was dry; The sun like a burning wagon-wheel rolled down in the western sky.

The dust was white on the saltbush, the ruts were deep in the road, And the camel behind me grunted at every lurch of his load.

A dust-whirl rose in the bushes and circled into the sky, The shells on my harness rattled as its burning breath went by.

In the Gobi desert, around the dying place of the dragons, the skeleton of a bison was found, with its head toward the sky, as we passed and heard eerie sounds.

We saw dinosaur eggs everywhere, in the middle of nowhere. I started to shiver like an earthquake with great fear, that something shouldn’t appear. We ran and ran in a hurry, suddenly we were running out of energy and felt really thirsty. It was so plain here, how could we survive without food or water, “Oh dear!”.

We all were so hot and soaked with sweat, and soon we came up and met a pet. Discovery of a spiky cactus with thorns, we announced our existence to it but our bleeding finger mourns. Now we have sore throats and wore big fluffy coats. We couldn’t survive any longer, soon we might end up six feet under.

We had a hard time passing through all those branches, tick tock tick tock the time passes.

We kept going and met another family, they also felt unhappy. They all worked together as a team and they called their team ‘Clean’. And now we were clinging to a stream, with closed memory, gloom in our dreams? We drank as much as we could before continuing our journey and felt like we wanted to eat a turkey.

We couldn’t believe it, we heard a helicopter flying towards us. We prayed to God and cried a bit, and were happy to be saved by the rescue guy named Gus. We went back home to where we belonged, such is right I will bear all the wrong. Songs of the Desert Maryknoll Convent School (Secondary Section), Shermaine Choi, Poetry: Group 3

A breeze across the sandy moors Rustling tumbleweed as it passes Stirring up secrets buried ages ago ;

A lone silhouette against the crimson sky, Riding a camel into the setting sun Guarding secrets never be told

Songs of the Desert to be found Buried ‘neath the sand, Just waiting, waiting for someone to find

Tales of travelers and traders; Stories of gypsies and wanderers All the past of this winding journey

Songs of the Gobi Desert— The legacy of the Silk Road Made by a hundred thousand people Never to be forgotten The Pearl of Sand Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Clement Ho, Poetry: Group 3

The sand covered the ground like a blanket, Fossils and jewels hiding beneath, Take a shovel and take a peek, You’ll see a preserved world buried inside.

The dunes stood bravely, overlooking the land, Shielding the land against wind, protecting the sand. Amazing creatures residing in its grooves, Magnificent beasts flying on its roofs.

The Gobi Desert is a curious place, It’s hot at day and cold at night. It grows like us, it expands like us, You must pay a visit to the Gobi Desert. The Birth of the Gobi Desert Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Kyle Wong, Poetry: Group 3

In the middle of the wilderness, there lies the Gobi desert. With a heat of madness, it blazes until it hurts.

The evil ruled the land, and ten were born through things common as sand. The ten were great, they fought till there were eight.

The two who were slain, in hope of returning again, fought with their hope, but forever their soul, belongs to the realm of the dead.

From eight down to five, another three were dead. But they did not mourn nor were sad, for victory lays ahead.

From five became two, and they knew their days were short. So they fought with their every breath, until two became the one, the one who holds the goal, and the one with final hope.

The last was sacrificed, and the evil was sliced. Shards of evil thrown to edges of worlds, but one was left in the desert, and was treated as normal as dirt. But the man who held the power, took it and turned lonely, and rained the evil down like dust on his land.

And to stop this evil, Go stepped forward. Go as high and glows. With his mighty brave friend, came Bi, as forcing, to go forward.

Together they fought, not from the shadows, but out in the open. The evil bellowed, and charged with darkened golden.

They fought rather than wept, and slain with pain and for it did good. And soon they were praised, and land was named after these saints.

And the name was born, not from light, not from darkness, but from the bravery of these two men.

The ending was peaceful, but the story was far from over. In the mirage of power, the two brothers fought.

The battle was over, And the desert was split.

And sadly, there is one more to go. The two brothers know, there can only be one king.

And they charged for the throne, and until now, the battle is undecided.

Will you join the brother of high and glow, or the brother of force and show. And so yet, you can be part of the set. The Well Pui Kiu College, Kevin Cheung Hui Chun, Poetry: Group 3

Once upon a time, in the Gobi far away,

There was a little village where some villagers stayed.

In the middle of the village was a fairly old well,

with a fence around the well in case anyone fell.

The well provided water for them all day long,

so everyday the villagers would praise it in song.

“Praise the well! Bless the well!” all day did they sing,

in fact I promise you that they will treat it as their king.

Then one night some lizards crept into the village and

drank up all the water, then escaped through the sand.

The old watchmen was still snoring in his old shed nearby,

when he was awakened by the villagers’ sorrowful cries.

“This can’t happen!”” Who did this?”” Which way did he go?”

“I didn’t see, I couldn’t tell, I really do not know.”

While the villagers had given up, sitting down and crying,

a thunder cloud approached and lit the sky with lightning.

The lightning was shortly followed by some raindrops from the sky,

and soon the village was filled with the villagers joyful cries.

“Praise the well! Bless the well!” ”Our prayers have been heard!”

And soon they waved their arms in excitement, just like a bird. After all these incidents I shall tell you something else, just stay calm- All’s well that ends well. The Gobi Legend Pui Kiu College, Joanne Chung On Ching, Poetry: Group 3

Once in far-away land, Filled with greenery and lives. Floras and foliages, Pines and daisies.

Deep inside the wood, There laid a crystal. As long as it stayed, Peace would never be slayed.

Young Adam wandered in the wood, Sniffing grass and chewing fruits. Something sparkling caught his eye, There he saw, the crystal shine.

Jade-like jewel Lured him through Lifted the stone Disaster moaned

Land collapsed and ground shook Creatures were killed and vines turned dead The crystal shattered and turned to ash Meadows vanished and were blown into dust. Nothing was left, Except a pile of Gobi Sand. New Tales of the Gobi Desert: My Plead Pui Kiu College, Fan Chai Yin Charlie, Poetry: Group 3

Discard me Dump me Desert me And you’ll never come and see.

My wilderness wane The rovers The wanderers, When the Angel of Death stretches out his wings In the blast I make them tick, So they won’t be in the pink.

Murderer? Nay! Thou treat me with guilt, I deny to the hilt, My plead to thee My plead to thee!

Verdant, fertile I was, How I adored myself How dare you ask yourself! Howdy, you never greet When have you been discreet! Puerile, Swiftly, my delicate skin Creased, crinkled, crumpled. Have your answer disclosed! Reimburse my youthfulness My plead to thee My plead to thee!

Merely, I heard you, “wher wher wher” Sound of chainsaw Speedily, I felt you, Excruciating screw! Chain fruit Cholla whimpered “Gobi, help!” Tragically she was abducted.

Moan of despair Besiege me, When Chollas found themselves snared, Tormented to demise. My plead to thee My plead to thee!

Chollas moisturized my skin, They nourished me, Now that they’ve gone, Leaving me wrinkles, nay brawn.

Palpably, I smelled you, Sickening, sordid, squalid “Fresh grass, Dona!” someone prompted. And there the calf gulped the grass. Noticeably, I sensed you, Cows scattered all over me Leaving a room for an ewe Gorging themselves With my sole bloom!

Red with rage Remaining sunk in gloom Irresistibly, I’m old. Exhaustedly, I am hoary. Wearily, I was told

Yearn for radiance, What a nuisance! No way to show resilience Don’t bother, it’s transience.

Shame on you, When you still try to eschew My plead. The Gobi desert Pui Kiu College, Eugene Liu, Poetry: Group 3

The golden sands of the desert land, Look prettier under the radiance of the setting sun.

Objects cast their shadows, before the night arrives, A man looks at his footprints and realizes they’re his blight.

His feet sink into the sand, with very step he makes, When the wind blows across the desert, his way back home fades.

Why is he there? He asks himself the question and sheds a tear.

A long lost love? Yes that’s it. He is searching for someone, he can’t quit.

The thought that he might be alive, Is the reason he won’t sit down, is the reason he has to try.

Memories of him and her cross his mind, Then disappear into the desert before his eyes.

He looks up and sees an endless terrain, Every day he hopes for rain.

His steps slow down, so does his breath. He knows that he is bound, But he cannot stop. For he is lost until she’s found. The Golden Eagle Pui Kiu College, Natalie Ngan, Poetry: Group 3

Once upon a time, On the waterless Gobi The golden sand shimmered And the sun was scorching

The couple travelled on camels Enjoying the magnificent view

The boy hummed as the sun drowned in the horizon “My darling girl I love you up in the sky and down to the earth I’ll be your golden eagle to guide you in the storm”

They travelled through the desert And climbed over mountains She pointed at the north and said “See! There’s a fountain!”

“My darling girl That’s just a mountain! Let me be your golden eagle To show you where the fountain is”

All of a sudden A sandstorm happened

It attacked like a tornado Struck like a tsunami The beast was awakened The ground was shaken

She was frightened But he wasn’t there He’s gone forever To a place known heaven

She cried for years Until she had no more tears Here tears filled the lake Called the crescent lake

She travelled across the desert Climbed over mountains Looking for the fountain That she had misunderstood

She looked in the sky A golden eagle was soaring High in the sky

Now that she knows He has never left The golden eagle Is always by her side The Gobi Desert Pui Kiu College, Jade Tin, Poetry: Group 3

Eyes opened, senses regained. You get back on your feet, whole body in pain. The Sun is blinding, you blink once or twice, The Gobi Desert is all that remains.

You take a step with all your strength, Thirst already striking your core. You calm your senses and take a deep breath, Not telling yourself that there is hope no more.

You now feel dizzy, images swirl. A gush of wind and you’re back to the past. The sound of merchants and camel on the grill, You’re in a time where Gobi was the heart.

You get lost in this world, smiling as you walk, The scent of spices, and sound of business talk. Gold and jewelry, peasants made rich, people of all, meeting in pitch.

You walk to a tent, with nomads selling silk. Of your friends back at home, you may be the first. The welcoming hostess offers some milk, The dream is shattered as you realize your thirst.

The colors are gone and your world is in silence. Heat brought you hope, heat is bringing you down. You take your last step and then you collapse. Eyes closed, senses lost. Empire Of Sands , Freddy Jiang, Poetry: Group 3

I am a monster, wind is my ally Together we build our great empire My palace gilded, my robe golden bright People hold me in awe at first sight

I am a monster, rising to my full power I can topple even the Babel Tower And smash everything that blocks me I will dry barren every lake, every sea

I am a monster, ferocious and hungry Mightier than Khubla Khan, ever thirsty I will send sand dunes to bury every tree Careful, your home is tied to me

I am a monster, growling and growing Wandering, haunting, ever hunting Altai mountains, Mongolia steppes I have left my marks even in Tibet

I am a monster, forlorn and lonely Lamenting Loulan, the ancient city She was Pompeii in Middle Kingdom Deep buried, perished, my dear blossom

I am a monster, but not always wild Crescent Spring, I love as my child Two thousand years, still crystal clear A miracle among the desert austere

I am a monster, treat me gently And I’ll pay you back differently I hide my treasures deep down Along the Silk Road, in a lost town

I am a monster, strong and free My shiny sand glistens with glee Waiting for visitors with all my heart Come to me, I won’t tear you apart The Journey of Life Renaissance College, Nicole Lee, Poetry: Group 3

I take the first step onto the sand, golden giants on all sides, The start of the great Silk Road. The glow of the sand illuminating the night. Mommy and Daddy hold my hand, as I toddle clumsily across the dunes. The road is harsh But I push forward, against the scorching heat and sun, Knowing the great Silk Road will stretch on forever.

My hair is now up to my shoulders, My hand reaching forwards. I see the first destination, A red flag flapping in the autumn breeze. I rear this great twisting beast, as the road rises and bends. Mum releases my hand, and I run across the sand. It crunches under my spry steps. The sand glows fire red, burning under my feet. Knowing that this journey will run ahead, Forever.

I chatter nineteen to the dozen, My parents and I stand eye to eye. As dawn breaks, I see a young man standing. Alone. Like me. We talk, chatter, discuss, until the moon rises high above. We are destined to connect. We join. But my dream must continue forever.

Now I have my own little dear cradled in my arms, her blood running with the sun, I hoist her on my shoulders, as light as a feather Her jet black hair flying connected with the golden sunset. I know that she will live to be brave and strong willed, with a passion boiling like fire. She runs across the sand with spry steps, Towards the glow beyond that string of mountains, the invisible silk path stretching beyond boundaries her laugh ringing through that endless sky forever.

I now find it hard to walk, my knees tremble and my arms shake. She is already taller than me, as a clatter along with three legs The night is so close as if I could reach out and touch the setting sun with ashen hands. Night falls, and the devil awakens, Mother, the sun watching my life, Father, the moon singing me to sleep, melted away with the winking stars, forever.

I squint. The end is near-- cities and towns appearing in the distance. I turn my head, seeing her red curls flying in the chilling winds, casting a dark shadow across the soft, golden land I touch my wet cheek. This it it-- the place where two worlds meet. Raising my head boldly, Glancing back at her, I know that there is no end, That we will remain as one, that the great journey will continue to unfold. This is only the first time, but I know, that I have reached the end My limit and last steps. Thank you for walking beside me. it is time to close those weary eyes forever. Gobi Desert Sha Tin College, Charmaine Yuen, Poetry: Group 3

On a hot, dry, cloudless day. I trudged on in the heat Trying to reach civilization, But the Gobi Desert is really far from being neat.

Gobi Desert’s golden dunes and yellow mountains everywhere, Yet footprints of others are in front of me. Sand blows into my eyes and makes me tear, The everlasting sandy hills of the desert seems like a sea.

The sun sets – darkness comes. I gaze upon the shining stars. The moon comes out – full of dreams. These dreams bring me somewhere incredibly far

A piercing whistle wakes me up, Which softens into a song. I thought there might be a person nearby. So I set off to see if I am right or wrong.

I grope in the darkness- Stumble in the black. Suddenly I see a faint outline, Of a young girl’s back.

She puts down her flute, and turns to me. She then tells me her story. Never have heard something as sad as that As blue as the sea.

She tells me about a curse that has fallen on her. Since her family is in heaven including her mom and dad Yet I can break the curse and set her free By doing something good which can make the gods glad.

I cheer her up and she smiles. Her smile lights up like the day. She nods and watches me leave. Then I know I stopped the spell and so I shout yay! I go back the very next day, To my surprise, the girl isn’t there. All at once, I understand. She went up to a place, where life is truly fair. Treasure in the sands Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School, Mavis Lam, Poetry: Group 3

Sand beneath my feet, Sunrays burning on my head As I walk through the sands in the heat My thoughts burning red

Wondrous things I’ve seen- Those camels with goods on their backs Silk, tea or golden rings They leave long, narrow tracks

Every footprint has a story, of who left it here. Every sand has a is a mystery. of what brought it there.

Sometimes a see a cactus, Standing alone in the barren I am lucky to hear a cry From a long lost heron.

The desert shimmers in the sun As the sun slowly goes down Again alone in the night is no fun I’m sure you’ll wake with a frown

See a snake slithering through bushes? See a caracal’s eye glitter? Hear a lizard’s feet while it rushes? Don’t panic, don’t scream, don’t shiver

Because my friend, I tell you All of those are treasures A grain of sand to an animal In a desert ,everything gives you pleasure. What are the ‘they’ in the Gobi? Shatin Tsung Tsin Secondary School, Joe Tam, Poetry: Group 3

They are like taxis in the Gobi They bring us from one place to another Their humps are like seats in the Gobi We sit comfortably on one and so on the other

Even though we are lack of water They can go like right they have drunk Even though we have no food like lobster We can hunt them for food as well as Professor Crunk

They can live in a dry environment Because of their humps stored with water and fat They can live in a hot environment Becasue of their hairy coat outside the fat

What are the ‘they’ mentioned in this poem? (Hint) ‘They are mammals. The ‘they’ in the poem are CAMELS. Untitled Shekou International School, Eileen Maes, Poetry: Group 3

And as the sand looms in front of me and the sun drops beneath the horizon, I brace myself for the sudden cold that will take over. But nothing happens. All I hear is the soft rustle of the wind, and the grains of sand dancing below my feet. Scanning the sky for the moon, I just see twinkling stars smiling at me, millions and millions of miles away. I plop myself onto the soft sand, feeling it’s smooth textures and writhing them between my fingers with amazement. And as I fall asleep, the cold breeze of the night hits me but I have already sunken into the land of dreams, thinking about a different time. A time when this desert was but a forest filled with life. New Tales of the Gobi Desert SKH Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School, Wong Ka Yiu, Poetry: Group 3

A never-ending trace of loneness, Lies in the everlasting Gobi Desert, with its Endless stretch of bare terrain, And dunes hat seems to go on forever.

A two-humped companion by my side, is my only friend. In this vast piece of land, We go on for our adventure.

On and on we journeyed, Through the mysterious Gobi Desert Leaving more and more footsteps, With each of the steps we take.

The cruel wind blows, Wiping away the marks that I left about. The ruthless sand slashes, Making the way ahead even harder.

Days goes on after the start of my adventure, And the days turns into weeks, And the weeks turn into months; And it became the third year since my journey.

The wind becomes my daily comfort, The sand becomes my good friend, I started to admire the Desert, And day by day, I liked it more and more.

And there I stayed, For the rest of my life, In the wonderful Gobi Desert. With the wind and the sand. The majestic Gobi Desert St. Mary’s Canossian College, Karina Cheung, Poetry: Group 3

Africa has Sahara, Australia has Gibson, Middle East has Arabian Desert, Asia has Gobi! Mongols are living in Gobi, it lies in southern Mongolia, and parts of northern and northwestern China; Gobi is a distinctly fabulous area of the planet!

Not only the fifth largest in the world, Gobi is the most expansive arid region on the Asian continent, since it only get seven inches rainfall in a year; Gobi continues to grow, the rapid growing speed like an alarm to his neighbours, losing the valuable grassland is a nightmare!

There is cold, sometimes frost and even snow, in order to keeping warm, the dunes of Gobi can wear their caps; Under a massive cloudy Gobi sky, standing alone in the open Gobi Desert; Surrounding by the cloudy sky, distant mountains, grass and the gravely surface; seems you can breathe freely with them ... Over forty-five species of animals and birds live there, Golden eagles, snow leopards, camels, brown bears and gazelles!

Be an archaeologist, there is a land surface where buried a rich and mystery history, besides the important fossil discoveries, the first set of dinosaur eggs to be discovered were found in the Gobi Desert!

If you feel bored, the cashmere goats can be your friends, their fine hair give warm feeling to you, and their strong character also show the bravery since they are the warriors who need to fight with the harsh climate!

If you feel thirsty, there is a small oasis on the northern edge; sometimes you can meet the herders there, and share about how can they live under this extreme climate ... 40 degrees in summer and minus 40 degrees in winter!

Be an explorer, visit the place of the most notable in history, and a part of the several important cities along the Silk Road, our great Gobi Desert! New Tales of the Gobi Desert St. Mary’s Canossian College, Joey Lam, Poetry: Group 3

Full of mysteries, covered with masks People come and look at my wonderful disguise Yet not many can see My gloomy heart through the deceiving masks.

The piercing wind tells my story Too labyrinthine for travelers to understand Once a noble man with elegant demeanors.

The massive sand covers my scars So complex that no one comprehend Staying alone in this remote place Never be shown by rain of grace.

Don’t be deceived by my exquisite disguise A secret surrounds my dismal heart Could someone come and take off my masks A wish existed for centuries. New Tales of the Gobi Desert St. Mary’s Canossian College, Sarah Ngan, Poetry: Group 3

Standing in northern China, Filled with mystery. Travellers coming to visit me Taking off my mask.

As the mother of Gobi Desert Undergoing the harsh test is my babies, Camels, snow leopards and wolves, Testing their adversity quotient.

As the natural resources bank, In my account rest fossil fuels Providing nutrients for the Earth Lighting up the world.

As the richest woman of this plane, Inside my mineral field are copper and gold. Waiting for people Carving into dazzling jewellery.

Standing in northern China, Filled with beauty. Under my mask, Full of untouched charm. Deserted Suzhou Singapre International School, Andrew , Poetry: Group 3

Following the footsteps of the Silk Road. Traders of past, struggle and strife. Towering dunes, like water, sand flowed. Thieves, cheats: under silver moonlight. Confidence, the darkness that covers fears. Provides a veil of sheer concealment.

Venture onward, with not a thought of concern. “We are not lost” they cheer, they cheer. Strong willed, yet unwilling to learn. Buried deeper with each naive step. Valor protects none from fate. Surrounded by the expanse of the night.

Daring masks muffle underlying distress. Settle your alarm, relief is fast approaching. Destined to feel the Gobi’s deathly caress. Accept the knowledge of where fate is to carry you. The tongue produces only the absurd cry of the lost. Maddened, they all will fall.

Where does guilt lie in the final hour. They ask, as if they still retain an ounce of innocence. All driving purpose turns sour. Gone is direction, gone is all sense. What path is there left to follow. On the footsteps of the Silk Road. New Tales of the Gobi desert Suzhou Singapore International School, Lucien Misha von Buren, Poetry: Group 3

In the Gobi desert, around the dying place of dinosaur eggs the skeleton of a camel was found with its head towards the clouds in the vast sky and its shadow spread by the burning sun

Even though it lay in the scorching sun and it’s calf laying just a few meters away lifeless She could smell the mushy hair it fed and fertilized the small single seed that grew into a tree separating her from her beloved baby

From the appalled matter of its dream a strong bond formed between the two perished camels, that not even the worlds most devastating disaster could bend And nothing could mend the sorrow and misery day after day she had to go through, thinking of her newborn who couldn’t live to grow up

In the nights, when the moon changes course the dead camel snorts uproariously, lurching upward by the radiance of primitive longings Shortlisted

Desertification The ISF Academy, Secondary Division, Paul Lam, Poetry: Group 3

Out from the dust And the sands of the hourglass Come the little men Born of the dunes amassed

Their swords held high And their hearts filled with an honor A single file line Each one of them a goner

Treading through the cold With an oblivious quest nobody knows March, march, march, and march A warm dream that froze

To go battle with the worm of death Blind stabs and thrusts One by one they fall Back to the dust

The men become the sandy burgeon of the desert Meaninglessly detesting As the death worm thrives To shrivel back into clandestine

Note from the author

As the title suggests, this poem is about the desertification or the rapid expansion of the Gobi Desert. The Death Worm is a mythical creature said to roam in the Gobi Desert. I used the Death Worm as a symbol for desertification, and the sand men as a symbol for people. When the sand men fight the Death Worm and die they collapse into sand and expand the desert. I was trying to communicate the idea that people have caused desertification because of deforestation, but they have also tried to fight against it like the current Green Wall of China. Shortlisted

The Copper Mine of the Gobi Desert The ISF Academy, Secondary Division, Lily Lee, Poetry: Group 3

It’s not without a certain amount of savage decadence do we file our nails, our wicked-sharp bulldozers and tear off her beige summer dress, grains crumbling as the fabric pulls apart and reveals soft pale skin like the color of dawn, but a little more helpless. we dig them in, our bulldozer-nails scraping up the deadskincrust trapping grit underneath our ripper claws – and yet it’s not until we gouge out her flesh does the copper begin to pool do we smile, in the unholy satisfaction we find within our exploitations, our promised luxuries within her soundless, silent screams within Schadenfreude, and the other beautiful things we hide behind meretricious fans and powdered faces and Chinese porcelain walls. “… Here, you see?” “She’s a resourceful one.” “She’ll be worth so much out on the market.” – or so they screech, the cacophony of a million voices shrieks clanging against each other, decibels ricocheting off the charts an earsplitting descant of amalgamated chaos-harmony all of them demanding and rioting and pressuring for a Legalization. a Compromise. a Deal. and so the gavel falls “… Ladies and gentlemen, please observe two minutes of silence for our much loved comrade” because the verdict is MINE. and so it begins, firstly with Inspection. a pretty word, perhaps for drilling holes into her skin exploration, they said – as hundreds test and probe and intrude cold, ruthless eyes, desperate and starving and hungry for something that she can never understand. … now, onto the actual operation phase one: semi-autogenous grinding and look! even the government has bought you she should feel honored at this disgusting breach of privacy but her blizzard-screams are soundless, shapeless almost music to their ears bagatelles in their conquest of her body’s demesne a protest of rebellion, one rightfully muzzled. ~ she lies now, silently, sprawled and defenseless on ancient Chinese grounds as something divided, something conquered as an empty shell of something once precious with her skin ragged and t o r n by all the machines and devices used to torture her soul because her body is only a canvas grains punctured with drill holes as they dig up her insides and sell them for gold. Shortlisted

Hope , Gowoon Kim, Poetry: Group 3

The child’s fingers stroke the constellations, Like brush upon painter’s masterpiece. Her breath leaving evanescent touches in the air, Her lips are violet, but her eyes glow with wonder.

The gazelle flees. Delicate steps upon the coarse earth. Footprints light but deep enough to linger. Dust billows behind, like dresses of dancers. Desperate gait, locked with courage, spreads through air.

The bindweed blossoms at strike of midnight. Petals as open as a gold trumpet amid a tune, Lissom stem lilts softly to the susurrus breeze. The soil is stiff, the winds sharp, but still the flower blooms.

The Bedouins pray silently as they make their way. Every step they take, every turn they make Could lead them to their saviour, or their grave. But tonight, haze shrouds all. All but a slim sliver of sickle moon.

A silhouetted grey wolf howls, red eyes shining like stars. What had happened? What could bring such a cry? The sound echoes through the desert, haunting every corner. But pain is no tool, so the wolf never howls more than once. Losing in the Gobi Desert Ying Wa College, Yin Leung Freeman Chan, Poetry: Group 3

Cactuses greeted me with their harmful hands, “Welcome to Gobi Dessert, a piece of desolate land!” Skeletons of bison were found, All around this despairing ground.

Walking hopelessly in this dying place, Surviving is the only thing I chaise. The sun shined without remorse, And I admit that I was finally lost.

The dessert was just like a waterless sea, A sea that stretch as far as the eye could see. Camels were the boats, sand dunes were the waves, “Hope this sea won’t become my grave!”

Feeling the sizzling heat of the sands, The scent of death was present all over this piece of land. “Hey! There’s an oasis!” I used all the energy left to rushed towards it, But everything vanished in a minute… Poetry Group 4 Gobi: Extraordinary Wilderness Canadian International School of Hong Kong, Wing Pei Lo, Poetry: Group 4

Battle of Mobei signified the end of long term battle Between ancient China and the northern barbarians.

The discovery of the first fossil egg Changed our knowledge of the past.

Adaptation to landscape, Together with ranking of societies,

Made village life laborious. Temples and monasteries,

The vanished silk road Full of countless merchants battling against nature, Spread goods. Shaped the globe.

Bactrian Camels traveled miles and miles With tradesmen who wanted goods.

Cold drought, high altitude, Impervious creatures that are hardy

Like the largest living camel Now critically endangered:

Desertification, an alarming expansion: Dust storms decreasing grasslands.

Green Wall of China: stabilizing soil. Now, we can fly over

This jewel of the past - A memory forever lasts. She-Beast Canadian International School of Hong Kong, Linny Ng, Poetry: Group 4

Sun and Heat - father and daughter.

Sun and Earth - father and son.

Oh fearful Sand, the incest offspring of Heat and Earth by day - they pounce! Mocks them, haunts them, the poor venturers! These terrible sands, older than time, younger than fresh fate.

Witnesses of all and every their favourite is no one but the . Yes, the Biyelgee. Only the Biyelgee, heiress of the Skies.

Four vultures towered the sky, circled the sun. Their shrieks echoed until the world’s edge. The sun was red, a naked spirit walked the Gobi.

Once, the Pied Piper to men, the reincarnation of Xi Shi or Yang Guifei or Wang Zhaojun or Diachan. No, all four-

Now, transparent. Defowered, bathed in shame, seized of all blood and tears.

Betrayed by the Mongol King, her lion, her eternal companion, the one, to whom she surrendered her body, mind and soul.

“Biyelgee, my body will love you until my last breath, my mind will always be occupied with thoughts of you, my soul will desire you for all of eternity.”

Four vipers later, “My lioness, the only yin to my yang.”

Frustrated, the evil fowers formed a bouquet to play Imperial Harem, a game of jeopardy -

Sand pounced upon the Queen Mother’s shell embossed by her black veins.

“It was her!” “What a cruel woman!” “Banish that wench!” “Sentence her to death!”

A petty eternal love killed by four slithering yellow hyacinths.

She, who, Sand wept for who, her fading grandfather condemned and forgave, after one thousand miles.

A new Monarch of the Skies, who, hated the Gobi who, ordered Winter who, ordered Summer, so Winter could kill it again and again.

The tears of Sand moulded into the Khongoryn Els, which still sing tunes of sorrow, unable to melt the Biyeglee, the She-Beast. desert dance Canadian International School of Hong Kong, Jun Pang, Poetry: Group 4

at dawn the brisk breeze assails the sand for control of the center.

the sun lilts a permafrost lullaby, and standing sentry, sagebush puncture the silent landscape, the endless sea of sand.

no one hears the deafening silence, the upbeat to this desert’s silky biyelgee - bestial, intimate, and unforgiving, a signal to begin:

frst, the tiptoeless candencia - glistening dunes baulking at chilled heat, stalwart, cool but lithe, golden molecules against slivers of blazing sun.

then, the wind - gusting, volant, sudden - kindling a languishing pall of fecks and gold dust, ferce and unrelenting, no forewarning to brace for impact, leaving remnants of a storm of pawned frost.

next, the calesita - along the scorching yellow strand, the dunes rest, obstinate, eroded, stupas of infnite proportions, resisting the tides of the atmosphere, with gravity’s unwavering pull sustaining this monogamous, serial exchange.

the stalemate: a lone zephyr whipping out against the steppe, shielded by rain shadow weighed down by land pneumonia in this paradisiacal dance of earthly dimensions. sand and air embrace and retract in a relentless twilight frenzy leaving sizzling amber residue in their wake. the mongols the uyghurs the dörvöd the torguud the kazakhs the tajiks the kyrgyz perpetual witnesses to the glimmering sheen of sun-and-moon-soaked motes, and the incessant frigidity of time’s torpid thaw fn: night aether sidesteps the plains, and earth and air relinquish their power struggle. enter: the triumphant sashay of midnight. Shortlisted

The Sand Says Diocesan Girls’ School, Chu Charmaine Antonia, Poetry: Group 4

There are billions of us, reaching From north to south. We join hands, We work, We constitute, A living utopia Of golden gleam. We are The ffth of the world, A piece of China land.

There are piles of us, who Live with humans. The Nomadic peoples, The Mongols, we Know them all. We have been part of the Mongol Empire, We have laid the Silk Road, Ask us about the history, We have seen all things.

There are loads of us, We are legion, Mountains surround us, Grasslands and steppes of Mongolia protect us. Have you seen the Tibetan Plateau? We are the untouched beauty. We have made all things together. Do we know all things? Yes, we have seen them all.

There are plains of us, to Shelter the frst dinosaur eggs, Find fossils under us lying, The mysteries unveil beneath us, We are the keys to treasures, We have seen all things.

There are units of us, to Tint the nature in glittering gold. We look up, to Watch shooting golden eagles, We feel the weights, when Black-tailed gazelles sprint, Marbled polecats make swift moves, Bactrian camels troll above in turns, Leopards sprint above, Brown bears stalk us still, Wolves howl the night awake. We are to sustain the wild life, We have seen all things.

When the clouds sink into the dreary dusk, The roots of trees are drawn down in its heavy weight. Are we remote? No longer now. There are many of us, to Feel the burdens on our shoulders, Smell the carts of solid tiles and bricks and Baskets of slurry, We see iron pillars, We hear sounds of resounding hammers, We are tinctured by modern technology. We have seen all things.

There are so many of us, to be Rent apart from one another and To be turned into massive mines. Costly copper and gold deposits, they say, Make much money.

Let me speak, let us speak! Why are our bodies loosening? Are we losing our minds and Moving away from our home? We are expanding, There is No one to Hold onto! We have not, Heard about The Green Wall of China, We are Spreading to Cover the Green lands, Into the air, To colour the nature With dust.

We know all things. We have seen all things. Winner

A Nation’s Journey Heep Yunn School, Che Sin Ting Steffi, Poetry: Group 4

The scorching sun beamed down the cloudless sky Casting shadows around my eyes Yet the two toed creature kept its steady pace And glided through without a race The mountains of silky sand lay endlessly ahead One could not possibly see the end The beam mercilessly scorched my skin Sweat and tears trickled down my chin

It’s been thirty three days since we left home To travel the Gobi’s silky road on our own The green that once stood between land and sand Was taken down by blinded men Machines - they called them - things I’d never seen before Through the wood and water they cut and tore Nor did they listen to our tear-filled cries As they tore along our fragile lives

We had warned them of nature’s unfailing power To punish those who greedily devour Yet they shook their brainless heads Laughed heartlessly as they ate our bread We had no choice but to leave them to their destined doom As we set off to find a new land to bloom Faraway we heard their distant screams As the storm of sand buried their tainted dreams

We wept for the loss of our self-built kingdom As we traveled the road with painstaking rhythm Yet the tears may as well be our compensation To differ us from the men’s condemnation Our dry leafy lips tasted the small dose of relief As the drops of water sane our remaining belief

The scorching sun beamed down the cloudless sky Casting shadows around my eyes As the two toed creature kept its steady pace I wiped the bitter tears off my face The mountains of silky sand lay endlessly ahead Yet I swore I would not let this be our nation’s end I shook my eyes awake from the colourless dim And replaced it with a watchful beam Then I saw what I had never seen before My forgotten dream to wander and explore The mysteries and myths that hid in the desert’s core Riddling the scabbing scars we bore My dried soul began to yearn for a chance to begin Another life to breathe its everlasting green

With my grandfather’s words my soul started to heal Those simple words no pain nor grief could steal “Without your consent no suffering can rob away What you hold dear to heart and close to stay.” The Gobi’s voice seemed to speak the same Showing me life in the sandy fame The creatures of the desert that lived free Found life where we thought no life should be

We huddled close in the desert’s freezing night And watched as the sky painted a mesmerizing sight With countless stars shining in their brightest shade To accompany those who from home had strayed As the nights passed we started to learn our lesson In the Gobi’s skies we found this hard journey’s reason

Yet even with our eyes watching and faith renewed Another shade of reality itself revealed The days became harder with exhaustion gnawing within The scorching sun wouldn’t cease to graze our skin And those who lost their strength along the way We watched helplessly as their lives faded away Yet they whispered the same words in their very last breath Promising to give our nation their blessing in death

It’s been ffty eight days since we left our home To travel the Gobi’s silky road on our own The difference between a mirage and a well Our dulling eyes still couldn’t tell Yet we held on to the last string of hope Tying a knot at the end of the rope We believed that we would someday fnd The Gobi desert’s piece of mind With this unfaltering faith we treaded on But in our hearts the battle’s won The scorching sun beamed down the cloudless sky But there’s no more fear in our silent eyes New tales of the Gobi Desert Heep Yunn School, Lam Ka Yi, Poetry: Group 4

Down in the golden gobbling Gobi Desert grows an old sacred saxaul tree. Beneath its bleached bark carved by ages, lives a secret genie dances in glee. Lightly faps her wings, she wonders how the new tales of this desert would be.

She rolls her eyes with a brooding frown Slowly the memories emerge with a sound — ‘whir-whir’ the gust howls in a huff Hoot of rage make the animals tough But the cloud of dust made a threatening thrust Only the blue eyes got into a fuss.

This was thousands years ago, when the Europeans hurried to and fro From the Lake Bosten to the far Lop Nur, that mix the white with yellow in this tour. Though the gale gulps all the glittering porcelain, the passion of the travelers still remain.

Forging ahead to the lands of China, Air of mystery richly scented the road, The rocking humps humped the goods to be sold Leaving the rag of silks that time will corrode. The clip and clank went around the clock Dusty thirsty throats eroded.

Soon the dreamy history faded away in color, comes the new tales of the desert straight away. Vulcanized desert boots and windbreaker, With sunglasses, camoufage vests and bird caller No fear of the moody day and night dictator, there every traveler becomes a fghter.

Yet the’ fghters’ jumble the journey up as they take and chop and hew without any sense or notice of the disastrous devastation strewed Their devilish smiles revealed by accident when sucking up the blood. ‘Wahoo!’

On the other side of the weeping desert, a sandstorm sweeps through the steppe To claw at mankind in disgust and alert Of how their homeland is wreaked with dirt To roar at us with overwhelming hatred that the revenge is now ready to hurt. Shortlisted

We are Grains of Sand Holy Family Canossian College, Chan Sze Wing, Jessie, Poetry: Group 4

We are grains of sand that owns the Mongolian land. We have a graceful dance Like ballerinas we dance

On the Altai Mountains we practise in the soft wind. We do one pas de basque like lively children we jump

We are grains of sand a turnout as we stand. Let’s turn it to a battement that we regard as talent.

We are grains of sand en pointe on the plateau. We do a pironette-turn as calm as an urn.

We are grains of sand doing a plié on the plain. Let’s strike a pose, an arabesque both pretty and statuesque.

We are grains of sand doing front splits on the land. Let’s practise for a grand jeté the fullest split in the air.

We are grains of sand doing a relevé above Ulan Bator. Let’s dance until the music ends Let’s shake our hands and we’ll be friends. I Once Met A Voyager Holy Family Canossian College, Lo Wing Kwan Winky, Poetry: Group 4

I once met a voyager who spoke the tongue of Camels. “What’s between Mongolia and China?” I humbly asked. “Lies the harshest place on Earth. Snow falling down On the endless sea like blessings from the god called Tengri. Wind blew through whippingly as if callings from a shaman. Between dunes of sand a group of Camels walked by. Legs so strong you would have never seen and two humps on the back, Eyelashes so thick, so long, two pairs of them on each side. Heading the pack stood the most powerful. I asked, ‘What’s life like in the primitive, pestilent desert?’ The Camel stretched its neck and scrunched its nose, With Battle scars all over, in a raspy voice it said, ‘Life in Gobi is like the weather in Gobi. Beautiful, but changes may come abruptly. Some pass, others got outrun. It is a battle Of life you fght with a will called wisdom.’” Ship of The Desert King Ling College, On Ying Chan, Poetry: Group 4

I was born in a mysterious neighborhood where scarcity of water and boiling sand are hard to avert yet sun ray hardly penetrates the thick clothes I wear human plead for my service and honored me Ship of the Desert.

My favorite companion is not a picky Mazaalai bear he indulges into berries and grass roots akin to harts, when he told me only thirty of his kind is left there I do not know the way to comfort his inconsolable heart.

Tarantula is a feminine and an excellent masquer much superior and stronger than her counterpart and sometimes undistinguishable between dust and spider, her carnivorous nature effortlessly put your live to an end.

In this exotic region each of us have gifted talents to survive in this pitiless habitat and become its tenants, suddenly something devastating caused us a sensation in the foreseeable future our home will be ruined by desertifcation. Liquid in The Desert King Ling College, Sze Yan Chan, Poetry: Group 4

Sometimes we hide in the deepest, Seeking somewhere in secret. Precious like a granular diamond, because there is an arid island.

If we fade away, every insect will be scared. If we fade away, every insect will disappeared.

Although we are scarce, still struggle to support their lives merely. People wonder especially on this island Because we can make them less thirsty.

We are born to contribute on this arid island. Elated, glad and willing to— slightly nourish this arid region. Gobi Explorer King Ling College, Ivy Wing Yan Ho, Poetry: Group 4

My world flled with sand, Diffcult for me to stand. Trekking across the dead Silk Road, with the camel that I rode.

The place I stood was an empire, with sand covering its desire. It was like a celebrated singer, being killed by its poor behaviour.

How long it took to win a battle for building a world of nomadic peoples? Blood splashing onto the sand and horses trampling on. That’s how the winner was born.

All I can see is an endless road that I am the only tree on a sandy hill. Don’t know how far I should go. All I know is keep my ode. What the Gobi Desert implies King’s College, Au Chi Kit, Poetry: Group 4

Imagine, that you were standing still Amid dunes of glitters and light sheds In nowhere but “Gobi Desert” as seen Where frigid and equator seems to join Where life is not guaranteed

But between patches of gravel, vitality is still keen Little cacti and Saxaul trees cluster tight And yet Gerbillinae and lizards are under the dry As equatorial days and frigid nights alternate Camels, “the ships of the desert” are still on their way In spite of relentless sand storms during the race

How to imagine with water in no sight Could these little guys survive and thrive While we consume so much water without keeping an eye Under the same sky? Just put aside your lengthy tutorials and Whatsapp for a moment To open your eyes to observe what’s happening, right?

The sand that once constitute the Ancient Loulan sweeps The desert is expanding to engulf the green we cherish so much Including shrubbery, forests, and perhaps one day------our society Let’s just wish that the Green Great Wall shall fulfll its destiny To comfort this lovable and hateful Gobi Desert To stay at where it used to stay The Symphony of Gobi Desert King’s College, Cheung Yiu Ting, Poetry: Group 4

I was woken up by The Symphony of Gobi Desert To the world of music

I saw a Mongolian horse Short but strong They once were ferce in old battles But now treading quietly on the sand

The sand welcomed me What a place to be Dancing of the sand Singing, booming like a band

The wind greeted me What a place to be Blowing of the wind Swaying and swifting as I roved

Not far away there was a Nomadic herder Shouting at a goat Lassoed and dragged away Neahing and bleating behind

A sandstorm came in a sudden Why did it happen? Roaring, howling fercely Bring me down onto the sand!

The storm passed away Everything came back to normal As I stood up, I said to myself What a place to be! Bring me peace and horror It is The Symphony of Gobi Desert Shortlisted

Unseen Perspective Renaissance College, Sarika Mahbubani, Poetry: Group 4

Trapped Beneath the weight of the sand Struggling to breathe Akin more of my kind Leaning against each other Shared misery

Masked By the voices of dunes Scratching against each other Orchestrated synchrony Finding solace in Invisibility

Hidden By the shadows of dust Cast on land By the sun, defant To fnd my voice Lost like leaves stamped white By the arrival of winter

Lost In clumps of brothers Clusters of collarbones Creases and calluses Until I cannot tell Where they end And I begin

Unifed Formed into formidable Faceless giants Into a desert deadly My identity Is but an abstract idea Like the sight of sunlight Fabricated Hidden histories Impossible to distinguish As I misplace the shape of myself And embody The body Of the majority

Flocked Together like family Unchosen Bound by bonds indestructible Bonds invisible I am lonely But never alone A Nomad and Me Renaissance College, Natalie Wong, Poetry: Group 4

Love is not what I feel. Is this infatuation? I remember the pools of miniature granulation, Slipping through the spaces between my fngers. I can still see his face. My sweat drips onto his surface. Glistening like lacquered brass. Is this truly sand I see? I am mistaken. There is no illusion. Sand and silk mix. The two entwine to create a path.

Over a precarious dune, I see him. My vision blurred and ambition heightened. Time sinks, shifts. The winds shape it once more. A clink, a clank and a fnal shatter. A fgure approaches. Twisting his brow, voice bellowing; “Nobody can fll those years I ensnared!” And at once, vanished. Wondering as I wandered, My footsteps traced circles. A parched ocean lies beneath me. The feet of ancient creatures rumble. They thrive. Bathing in sunlight. I am fooled. The mighty sun binds sand in the same hues. Blushing in this red, it feels feverishly hot. Eventually the raindrops.

Life! Life, springs forth from the parching heat. Realising my untravelled emotions have grown, Sand and desert embrace in my arms. I reach out my hands, clear liquid passing my lips. The heat slows, the last sip, So harmoniously sweet.

Love is not what I feel. This is not infatuation. I believe this is called, Admiration. The Gobi SKH Lam Woo Memorial Seconday School, Lam Sin Yu, Poetry: Group 4

The Gobi, the Sleeping Beauty Stretched between the Mongolia and China, a sleeping beauty rests She secures a long-forgotten story of pride and glory

Her endless cascade of blond hair loiters with the wind, creating ridges of gentle waves Her hair spreads radiantly as though the sunbeam refracted by waters Her hair slathers like a lake refecting the dreamy weather up above The splendorous elegance nurtures her vanity—even time slithers slow to spectacle this godsend

The legend said, there was a time when the godsend was plaited with a piece of lingering silk

That was the Silk Road It straddled from the East to the West, with bricks from different culture, elements of various religious belief and bold exploration, civilizations were built up in China, Persia, Arabic...

That was where the ritual chants of Hindustani music acquainted the erhu That was where the extant Chinese embroidery became the sparkle in the Persians’ eye Finally the diversifed culture shot into the cloudless sky of the Gobi, and set off one of the most awe-inspiring frework show in human history

After thousands of years, the ostentatious path still shines but the jubilant charm of the road had been muted into a peaceful silence

She is independent and solitary This sophisticated woman had been hiding her mysterious past underneath her modest silence

The old story will grow older as fne sand in the hourglass converges in the bottleneck, sinks and accumulates The legend will be lagged behind as time goes by

Meanwhile, Her exotic beauty would win the admiration of the world as usual Her humble response to the past glory would leave people guessing forevermore Shortlisted

Requiem St. Joseph’s College, Justin Tang, Poetry: Group 4

In pace, in memoriam the late olgoi-khorkhoi; a sandy columbarium there lay eternal joy.

If heard you not this creature’s name, there’s no call for dismay; you need not shield your face in shame – it’s dead now anyway.

Before, believing its decease was none but trivial, pray let me weave my tale in peace, about this animal.

Upon the fowing, bleak terrain of Gobi’s ancient dunes, mythology depicted pain in stock among its runes.

Though old wives’ tale this seemed to be, it rang with wisdom stark: that Gobi knew no sympathy; no place is quite as dark.

‘Beware, my son, this wicked worm that hunts to kill at night; exists there not another term describing worse a plight.

The few who lived to tell had seen its hide incarnadine; its foul secretions yellow-green, it reeked of turpentine.

Its skin had so much potency a touch meant instant Death; it’s useless begging clemency you’re helpless in its breath. Remember then, when you decide to brave the wilderness: in Gobi does despair reside; in that it’s generous.’

Although his dear old mommy stressed how vicious Gobi was, this Mongol boy was so obsessed, he vowed to get across.

And so, came round that fateful night, the Devil’s clutches broad; the youngster gathered all his might, and took his daddy’s sword.

He walked and walked and walked and walked and walked and walked and – stopped! At once he knew he had been mocked: it’s just a rat that hopped.

The wretched wind swept o’er the peaks in tunes monotonous; The truth bore down his face in streaks – he’s not autonomous.

But just as sorrow harboured he, a shadow lobed and large soon manifested shockingly upon him like a barge.

At once he shifted, just in time to counter its assault; for in the wake of feeting rime came thence a lightning bolt.

Immediately he swooped down on the foul ferocious beast; he brought his worthy sword upon what then became deceased.

Well, you can well imagine how triumphant he’s received; besides a hog they’ve killed a sow not once more have they grieved. In pace, in memoriam the late olgoi-khorkhoi; a sandy columbarium there lay eternal joy. The Plague of a Thousand Souls (The Gobi Desert) St. Mark’s School, Orion Chan, Poetry: Group 4

Traitors, criminals, outlaws – Villains of the most heinous kinds, Banished from the Kingdom of Great Walls To the ‘endless sea’. Never to return… Never to be forgiven – For they are the thousand cursed souls, Thousands and thousands more!

Reaching out – Westward, Equator wards and to the World! For the plague never rests, Never stops growing – Growing! Devouring whole civilizations, Kingdoms, And mighty empires – For the sand is so dry, And the desert is ever so thirsty – A thousand hungry souls, A thousand hungry mouths to feed, Athousand and a thousand more!

The sand rides like the wind, The Blitzkrieg. Raging sandstorms, crystal-like troops, Marching through the land to bring about death and destruction. For the people were too blind to see; The sand holds many secrets, Humanity, is one of them – Tis the plague of a thousand souls, Thousands and thousandsaa more to go… Trials of the Gobi Desert St. Paul’s Co-educational College, Chung Kit Lam, Poetry: Group 4

You’re not mere sand and harsh weathers Nor dismal valleys and dusty haze But of grains of gold and rims rising high Where void meets greenery and horses graze

Under your lilac sky a gazelle trots across the gravel Along blazing ridges and dunes fast asleep Midway in a swift errand the gecko wavers, whiffs, tenses And darts back where the chasm gapes down deep

Yurts of vanilla, monasteries of ruby eaves On the vast plain of yours a civilization germinates And yet copper and gold and salt and cashmere It will not be long till your provision terminates

You finch at the mine tractors’ growling As you stare up frozen dismayed in your dream Dust shrouds the sky And a nonchalant grunt of engine answers your soundless cry

Your pain swells yet you cannot tell Striving to stand frm however much they stole Yet no one balks at the trampling and drilling As their self-seeking attempts gnaw away at your soul The Quest St. Paul’s Co-educational College, Victoria Anne Kwok, Poetry: Group 4

There was once a city dweller Hopelessly stern, staid and stressed But with audacious ambitions He sought the secret key to success

He consulted a wise man Who pointed him in the Western direction To the Asian terrain of the Gobi dessert Where perilous journeys promised copious riches

He soldiered on amidst stormy sandstorms Braving countless gritty granules of hell They choked and galled him mercilessly Yet he still prevailed

He tasted every bit of the golden Gobi sun Scorching as it was Leaving him parched and desiccated Besides droplets of sweat beaded on his brow

He moaned and complained About the fruitlessness of his journey The promised rewards for his efforts Seemed too elusive to reach or reap

But in this disappointment He heard the rhythmic galloping of the takhi His heart lightened with the hopping of the jerboa And with this beauty, his footsteps never halted

He had searched high and low for success But ultimately found it not For it was not written in any sand But embedded in his soul The strength of endurance The devotion to a cause The courage of adventure Were in fact the keys to success The lost The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, Alice Hui, Poetry: Group 4

I have promised to fnd it I have told you so Running through the edge of the sand Far away, there is a green land

Non-stop running Non-stop raining I am not giving up Even if you meant to set me up

Sound of the sand Dream of the land Climbing through the rock Here I saw the fog

I am going to fnd my way Till I reach the land I am not giving up Even if you meant to set me up

Here is the land Here is the frst dinosaur egg I have done it I have fnally achieved it

Not to say no to everything To everyone, meaning nothing Always remind yourself Not just only remember the soft But to hug the hard And fght for your heart

Here am I Fulflling my promise Even when they told me I could never do so But I turned out to have done so Gobi Desert The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, Kan Ka Yau, Poetry: Group 4

Gobi desert, cold and dry…… Hot summers and cold winters where it lies, No water, no shadow, no liveliness, Eggs of dinosaur were frstly found, Fossils of rare animals were widely scattered, Survival in Gobi desert was harsh but memorable!

Gobi desert, large and wide……. People travelling across the dunes, Tireless, hopeless and diffcult, Water and food, hardly found, Poison snakes are deadly signs Survival in Gobi desert is hard and challenging!

Gobi Desert, rocky and dry…… Few species of plants can survive, Leafess, fowerless, yet fruitful, Cactus with needle leaves densely grow, Deep and long roots are magic spells, Survival in Gobi Desert is diffcult but interesting!

Gobi Desert, large and vast…… Animals come to visit the extreme land, Hot, cold but tolerable, Camels and Gobi bears are close friends, Golden eagles and desert snakes are dangerous enemies, Survival in Gobi Desert is diffcult but wonderful! As a cactus The Chinese Foundation Secondary School, Lam Lai Wai, Poetry: Group 4

Callous sun bites on my skin, Sparely wind Lack of green, Everyone has a common dream.

But what can I do? Where can I choose to? No! I have no option, Just stay here and wait for the wind to coo.

What else can I do? Shall I jump? Shall I run? No! I have no option Just stay here and wait till death

Relentless sand Unwalkable land… Oh my goodness! I want to get rid of this arid place Gonna fnd my way with faith…

I could run away from the sun under a leaf, Feel the limitless breeze, The birds and the fowers, Are all on that sturdy tree

This is the most beautiful scenario Come across in my dream ever, “Authentic and realistic” Fantastic and dramatic… Just last in my imagination forever, Cause my destiny is to live with the sun and sand together. Poetry Group 6 Winner

Gobi Desert Poem King George V School, Catrin Anderson, Poetry: Group 6

More surround more tonight Clouds fly Animal life almost there Tree over sky Cover Art Group 1 Shortlisted

A.D. & F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam Peak School, Holly Richley, Cover Art Group 1 On School, Zheng Shun Wai, Cover Art Group 1

Stewards Pooi Kei Primary School, Victoria Shanghai Academy, Cheuk Hei Wai, Chung Tun Lai, Daniel, Cover Art Group 1 Jeffrey, Cover Art Group 1 Beacon Hill School, Hayley Chan, Cover Art Group 1

Canadian International School, Lauren Chan, Cover Art Group 1 HKCCU Logos Academy, Howie Wan, Cover Art Group 1

International College - Hong Lok Yuen, Joy Haria, Cover Art Group 1 Peak School, Harry Whitfield, Peak School, Joseph Baillache, Cover Art Group 1 Cover Art Group 1

Sha Tin Junior School, Marcus Lam, Cover Art Group 1 Sha Tin Junior School, Megan Lo, Cover Art Group 1

St. Paul’s Co-educational College Primary The French International School, School, Jefferson Kao, Cover Art Group 1 Gauri Ranjan, Cover Art Group 1 Cover Art Group 2 Shortlisted

A.D. & F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam Macau Anglican College, Fong Hin, Meko, On School, Leung Ka Yau, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2

Marymount Primary School, Marymount Primary School, Phoenix Hui, Cheung Hay Ching, Eleanor, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2 Shortlisted

North Point Methodist Primary School, North Point Methodist Primary School, Chang Yan Yan Carol, Cover Art Group 2 Cheong Lok Ching, Cover Art Group 2

Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School, Hui Wang Shanghai Singapore International School, Ching, Marco, Cover Art Group 2 Kim Min Soo, Michael, Cover Art Group 2 Shortlisted

Shanghai Singapore International School, Kok Shanghai Singapore International School, Lianyi, Solene, Cover Art Group 2 Lee Yeuk Tung, Kristi, Cover Art Group 2 A.D. & F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On A.D. & F.D. of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On School, Leung Hoi Ka, Dorothy, Cover Art Group 2 School, Yap Sze Yin Nicole, Cover Art Group 2

Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School, Cheng On Wing, Cover Art Group 2 School, Chow Lok Nga, Cover Art Group 2 Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School, Kwok King Hay Kennis, Cover Art Group 2

Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary School, Lau Tsz To, Amelia, Cover Art Group 2 Baptist (Sha Tin Wai) Lui Ming Choi Primary Bradbury School, Chloe Mak, School, Wong Yan Hui, Cherry, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2

Bradbury School, Elizabeth Ming, Cover Art Group 2 Bradbury School, Lana Morrison, Cover Art Group 2

Clearwater Bay School, Timmy Qiu, French International School, Beltran Olana, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2 French International School, Bryan Tse, French International School, Claire Niem, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2

French International School, Yann Zylerberg, Cover Art Group 2 Independent Schools Foundation Academy, Wong Cheuk Yiu Michelle, Cover Art Group 2

Independent Schools Foundation Academy, International College - Hong Lok Yuen, Pui Pui Chan, Cover Art Group 2 Guilia Gobbi, Cover Art Group 2 International College - Hong Lok Yuen, International College - Hong Lok Yuen, Jennifer Elgar, Cover Art Group 2 Kate Tang, Cover Art Group 2

International College - Hong Lok Yuen, Rishka Macau Anglican College, Lou, Sharda, Cover Art Group 2 Weng Sam Winsome, Cover Art Group 2 North Point Methodist Primary School, Ho Ka Man, Carmen, Cover Art Group 2

North Point Methodist Primary School, Leung Hoi Yan, Cover Art Group 2 North Point Methodist Primary School, Wong Wing Yan Alicia, Cover Art Group 2

Peak School, Lucien Fannin, Cover Art Group 2 Peak School, Ree Nie, Kong, Cover Art Group 2 Regents Primary School of Shenzhen, Irene Lu, Group 2

Regents Primary School of Shenzhen, Regents Primary School of Shenzhen, Kevin Xue, Cover Art Group 2 Peter Shen, Cover Art Group 2 Regents Primary School of Shenzhen, Tina Jiang, Group 2

S.K.H. Yuen Chen Maun Chen Primary School, Lau Wing Kiu, Cover Art Group 2 S.K.H. Yuen Chen Maun Chen Primary School, Liu Tsz Yan, Cover Art Group 2

S.K.H. Yuen Chen Maun Chen Primary School, Ng Kwok Chung, Cover Art Group 2 S.K.H. Yuen Chen Maun Chen Primary School, Yeung Lok Hei, Cover Art Group 2

Sha Tin Junior School, Jasmine Khan, Cover Art Group 2 Sha Tin Junior School, Piper Hubbard, Cover Art Group 2

Shak Chung San Memorial Catholic Primary Shanghai Singapore International School, School, Chau Hui Tung, Cover Art Group 2 Jennifer Choi Yoon Seo, Cover Art Group 2 Shanghai Singapore International School, Tsung Tsin Primary School & Kindergarten, Camille Kok, Cover Art Group 2 Lincoln Lam, Cover Art Group 2

Victoria Shanhai Academy, Jaden Hui, Victoria Shanghai Academy, Cover Art Group 2 Chan Cheung Wai, Jane, Cover Art Group 2 WF Joseph Lee Primary School, Yeung Sin Ying Wa Primary School, Hui Kwan To, Hang, Cover Art Group 2 Cover Art Group 2 New Tales of the Gobi Desert

wice as long as it is wide, the Gobi Desert has proved a formidable barrier to emperors and warriors alike. Bordered by mountains and T grasslands, it lives in the shadow of the Himalayan range, meaning its dry, barren land is explored only by the brave and intrepid – people like all of our writers and artists featured here! Host to nomads and herders, explorers and ultrarunners, it is also home to camels and goats, bears and… Mongolian death worms?? See what we mean about brave… But its vast rocks and scarred land does not mean it is not worthy of protection. As desertification and climate change take their toll, it is clear that, despite the gems and jewels traded here, and the copper and gold mined from its depths, the true beauty of the Gobi Desert itself is the most precious gift of all, and one that should be protected at all costs. This collection of work is a selection of the best written and artistic pieces submitted to the Hong Kong Young Writers Awards in 2014. So join us as we hardy travellers explore the 500,000 square mile expanse of Asia’s largest desert, and perhaps stop for a while at a camp and hear our New Tales of the Gobi Desert.

Cover Art by Audrey Wang, 10, Regents Primary School of Shenzhen Winner of the Cover Art Award