Hua Mulan
If you or your family has ever seen the Disney movie, Mulan, you could be forgiven if you felt that the story was just some whimsical creation of the talented film animators. But the film story is actually based on a Chinese legend of a young woman, Hua Mulan, who took her aged father’s place in the army and fought for twelve years until she retired and was able to return home. Her story is set sometime between the 5th and 7th century China but the actual chronicle is captured in The Ballad of Mulan which dates back to the 12th century.
The poem describes a situation where China is under threat of invasion and each family is ordered to supply one male to serve in the army. Mulan knows that her father is too old and her brother is much too young to fight. However, since she is skilled in martial arts and sword fighting, she decides to take their place in the guise of a man. For twelve years she fights in the army. Having served well, Mulan is offered an official post in the Chinese government but she refuses and instead asks for a fast horse to take her home. It is then she discloses her real identity to her male comrade in arms which surprises them but they decide to maintain the good friendship developed over the years together.
