“How were things going today, Zhao Min?” Mum asked me.

“Terrible. Wang Xinyue got the role of Mulan at last,” I said.

“Then what role did you get?” Mum added.

“None,” I whispered. I ran to my bedroom and started drawing in my sketchbook (素描簿). Drawing always makes me feel better.

The next day, Wang Xinyue was cheerful. But when the last bell rang, her mood changed. She was so nervous that she asked me to practice with her in the school hall. I wanted to say no. Then I realized I couldn’t leave yet. My parents had signed me up (报名) for the late bus, because I thought I would be in the play.

In the hall, Ms Wu, director of the play, handed out copies of the script to all the actors. I sat in the third row, wishing I were in my bedroom drawing. Ms Wu pulled a cardboard onto the middle of the stage. It was brown with small hills and old city walls. Then the play started. Wang Xinyue acted so well that everybody cheered for her. I had to say that she was really suitable for the role of Mulan.

“When will we get the real sets (布景)?” Wang Xinyue pointed to the cardboard.

“These are the real sets,” Ms Wu said. “We don’t have an art teacher this year. So that’s the best we could do.”

Wang Xinyue and I walked outside.

“You were great,” I said. “Everyone will love the play.”

“Thanks,” Wang Xinyue said. “But did you see the sets?”

I thought for a moment. “Maybe I can help.”

I spent that evening drawing. The next morning, I put my sketchbook into my backpack and ran to the bus.

Time seemed to go more slowly. Finally, the last bell rang. I rushed to Ms Wu’s office and showed her my ideas. After seeing my ideas, she talked to some other teachers. They liked my ideas too. Over the next weeks, a corner of the lunchroom was filled with cardboard and paints. And lots of students were working on the sets.

Finally, the opening night arrived. I sat next to Mum and Dad in the hall. When the curtain (幕布) rose, a piece of amazing cardboard appeared, on which was a huge land with rolling hills, well-trained soldiers and running horses. The play began. Wang Xinyue was a wonderful Mulan, and everyone clapped (鼓掌) when the play was over.

Then Ms Wu called me up to the stage. She said into the microphone, “I’d like to thank the students who painted the sets. And special thanks to Zhao Min, who designed them. Her effort and talent made tonight extra special.”

Everyone clapped. For me, I did get a part in the play after all. And it was just as good as being Mulan.