The Spirit of Mulan
I remember after watching the movie "Mulan", I felt even more proud
of being a girl. I think the spirit of Mulan lives in every girl
on this planet. Mulan's spirit symbolizes qualities of strength,
courage, confidence and positive virtures that lie in every woman's
heart and soul.
Even though God made a man's body more enduring to physical stress,
the female has been blessed with an unwaivering strenght of
spirit. It is becuase of this very strength of spirit why nature
chose the woman to have the capactiy to conceive life, to carry
a baby for nine months in her womb and then to safely bring into
this world the heros and heroines of tomorrow.
The spirit of Mulan has made me understand better the wise
old sayings like, "The hand that rocks the cradle, rules the
world." Another wise saying goes, "Behind every successful man,
there is a woman."
There is no reason why a girl should think that she is less
capable of fulfilling her dreams just because she is a girl. In
today's world, the spirit of Mulan lives on in the form of female
politicians, scientists, artists and poets.
The spirit of Mulan that lies dormant in all of us can only be
inhibited by our own pre-conceived and false ideas of what a
woman can and cannot do, or what a woman should and should not
do. We need to overcome these false barriers and open our minds
and hearts and allow the spirit of Mulan that lies in all of us,
to express itself with all its might.
The example Mulan teaches us that one can do anything that one
sets their mind to do. All it requires is to believe in oneself.
 Nicky Eisa, age 13 (San Antonio, TX)
The Spirit of Mulan
I was deeply moved by the lesson, honor comes from the heart,
not from what others think. Mulan found that out after awhile of
trying to please everyone. Be yourself.
The lesson adds up from virtue, confidence, and honor. Mulan
expressed all. She may not have brought honor through the
matchmaker, but she pursued it in a different way. She didn't plan
to be a heroine, the bravest, most cunning and most courageous
of the whole army, she just wanted honor. She wanted to look at
herself and say, "I am important" or " I did a great thing today."
Mulan's greatest lesson was when instead of shooting the last cannon
at the Hun leader, she hit the mountain which caused an avalanche
to occur, killing the Hun army. But the Hun leader struck Mulan,
which led to the discovery that she was a girl.
After a few thoughts, and finding five Huns alive, it gave her
the strength not to give up. (Don't let anything stand in your
way.) She learned that it was no use to stand there crying over
something that could not be done. And being "true to your heart"
can really bring the best out of you, and bring great honor, too.
Maurenn Lim-Chua, age 10 (Mount Holly, NJ)
The Spirit of Mulan is in Me
My Mom and Dad alway say that I should stand up for what is right,
even if I am standing alone. Mulan knew that she was younger
and stronger than her father, so she should be the one fighting,
not her father. Even though everyone said that girls shouldn’t be
training and fighting, Mulan did what she felt was right.
My parents tell me that I can be anything I want to be when I grow
up, as long as I work hard. As long as I work hard like Mulan did,
I will do well, just like she did.
 Jessica Egre, age 7 (Williston Palle, NY)
The 20th Century Spirit of Mulan
In the movie, "Mulan", Mulan shows herself to be a courageous
girl. Not only is she brave, but she was willing to do something
that was not culturally correct. She went to battle as a women
disguising herself as a man. Just as Mulan showed extraordinary
courage, so did 20th century Susan Butcher.
Susan Butcher has won the grueling Iditarad sled-dog race four
times. It is a 1,157 mile race from Anchorage, Alaska to Nome. It is
one of the toughest races in sports and in 1978 many people thought
a woman would not be strong enough to finish the race. Susan and
her dogs crossed two mountian ranges, ice-covered rivers and the
frozen Bering Sea. She had to endure very cold temperatures and high
winds. She never gave up. Susan Butcher has the "Sprit of Mulan."
Scott Krenitski, age 15 (Towaco, NJ)
The Daughter's Rights
Mulan wanted to be a warrior, so she could help her father. But she
couldn’t, because she was a girl. Society wouldn’t allow females in
combat. Because society had it’s own way of thinking what females
roles were.
But everyone now, has the right to choose what they want to be. It
has gotten easier and better for women to choose careers and she
is not supposed to get harrassed about it.
For example a couple of my classmates and me were on a football
team. It consisted mainly of boys with an exception of two
girls. These girls took some teasing and bullying. But they held
their ground and took their place on the team. Nobody even noticed
later on. They finished out the season, proving that if you want
something bad enough, you can do it.
In the future we will see more mixed teams in sports, jobs, and in
religions, where women will hold office and certain positions not
open to them. So little by little women stood up for their rights
and things began to change.
 Ambrose Mendez, 10 (Soledad, CA)
Gabilan Elementary School class of Wiley Reeves
The Spirit of Mulan
In order to understand the spirit of Mulan, you must first ask
yourself what does spirit mean to me? I feel one's spirit is an
unstopable force that drives you to complete your goals in life.
Mulan's spirit drove her to try and save her father’s life. He was
very weak and she knew he couldn’t fight the Huns. So she decided
to take her father’s sword and clothes and tried to pass herself
of as a man. She believed doing so she would make a difference
for her family and China.
While Mulan was trying to be a soldier, she was beaten. But through
everything, she learned to be true to her heart and how to be a
good soldier and to keep trying. No matter what.
When I was in karate, I had to spar with other kids. I got socked
in the stomach. I hurt really bad and I even cried. But I tryed my
best and I went back and fought again. I never gave up either. Mulan
went on to fight the Huns and won. Even though there were lots of
things in her way, she kept trying. She taught everyone what pride,
love and spirit is all about.
 Derrick Morris, 8 (Salinas, CA)
Steinbeck Elementary School class of Norma Cressman
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