In a land of great diversity,
There lived an emperor, full of majesty.
He ruled over an ethnic group so fine,
Whose exports of silk were truly divine.

On a high plateau, they made their home,
Amidst the misty mountains, they freely roamed.
In their spare time, they practiced calligraphy,
A beautiful art, so graceful and pretty.

But there was one thing that was forbidden,
And that was to take an artifact from the hidden
Wetlands where the creatures did thrive,
For the emperor knew they must survive.

And so the people respected his decree,
And left the wetlands for the creatures to be free.
They continued to make their silk and write their words,
And honored the land, like dutiful birds.

For they knew that preserving their land,
Was more important than any artifact in hand.
And so they thrived in their diverse ways,
Proudly living their lives in peaceful days.

Reflections

1. What did the ethnic group excel in making?
2. What was the emperor's decree about the wetlands, and why was it important?
3. What art form did the people practice in their spare time?
4. Why did the people choose to respect the emperor's decree about the wetlands?
5. How did the people honor the land and preserve its natural beauty?