The following text is for questions 13 to 16.

    Many years ago, China was in the middle of a great war. The Emperor said that one man from each Chinese family must leave his family to join the army. Mulan, a teenage girl who lived in a faraway village of China, heard the news when she was outside washing clothes.

    Mulan ran into the house. Her father was sitting in a chair, carving a piece of wood. “Father!" she said. "Did you hear what the Emperor says each family must do?” 

    “Yes," said her old father, “I heard about it in town. Well, I may as well go pack up.” 

    “Wait!” said Mulan, “Dad, you have not been well. If I may say so, why at your age must you keep up with all those young men?”

    “What else can be done?” said her father. “Your brother is a child. He cannot go.”

    “Of course that's true,” said Mulan. “He is too little. But I have an idea." She poured her father a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Dad, please have some tea and sit a minute. I will be right back.”

    "Very well, dear," said the father.

    Mulan went into her room. With her sword, she cut off her long, black hair. Going back to her father, Mulan said, “Look at me. I am your son now. I will go to your place. I will do my part for my country.”

    “No, my daughter!” said the old man. “You cannot do this!”

    “Dad, listen to me, please," said Mulan. “For years, you trained me in Kung Fu. You showed me how to use a sword.”  Mulan swung the sword back and forth with might.

    “Only so that you could stay safe!” said her father.  “I never meant for you to go to war."

    “No one will find out, Dad,” said Mulan. She picked up her sword.

    "Mulan!" said the Father. He tried to get up but had to hold on to his chair.

    The daughter kissed him goodbye. "I love you, Dad," she said. "Believe me that I will be safe. Take care of yourself. Tell my brother I said goodbye."

    Then, she climbed on a family horse and off she went to join the Emperor’s army.

    In the army, Mulan proved to be a brave soldier. In time, she was put in charge of other soldiers. Her battles went so well that she was put in charge of more soldiers. After a few years, Mulan was given the top job. She would be General of the entire army.

Adopted from: https://storiestogrowby.org/story/early-reader-mulan-chinese-short-story-for-kids/ (March 28, 2020)

Why did Mulan decide to be an army?