My Interview with Marco Polo, Famous Explorer

My Interview With Marco Polo, Famous Explorer

By Melissa Rose—Red Class—2/1/12

Q:  What was your childhood like, and why did you decide to voyage eastward at such a young age?

A:  I grew up in Venice, Italy in 1254. My mother died at a young age, and my father Niccolo and his brother Maffeo were big merchant-travelers, so I was mainly raised by an aunt and uncle. In 1269, my father and uncle returned home and I met them for the very first time. Almost at once, when I turned 17, they offered for me to tag along on their venture to Asia. I gladly went with them and met some amazing people along the way.

Q:  What was your very first impression of China under the Yuan rule?

A:  It was beyond amazing. I thought it had to have been the prettiest place on earth. After travelling through the deserts and grasslands, we reached the capital of Dadu, to present ourselves to the emperor. We were nervous out of our minds that he wouldn’t like us and send us away, but as we knelt before him, I came to the realization that he was, even with all his power, a warm, friendly man. He liked us and allowed us to stay for as long as we wanted.

Q:  Tell me about your relationship with Emperor Kublai Khan.

A:  Emperor Khan is a great guy, and I definitely would consider him a good friend of mine. He trusted me very much, and there was something about me that really stood out to him. While I was very shocked when he offered me a position in the courts for the government, I was also honored that he wanted me as such a high rank so early in my stay. He sent me on many missions to Burma and India, and finally appointed me governor of a small Chinese city. He’s a really nice person.

Q:  Why is it that you want to leave China? You’ve been here for 17 years.

A:  I know, and I love it here. I would never leave if I had the choice. But however, I have agreed with both my dad and uncle that it is the best choice to go. Kublai Khan is getting old, now he must be in his late seventies. I fear that if he dies while we are here, we may not be able to leave the empire with all the riches we have acquired! If the throne is taken back by the Chinese, and a new dynasty forms, it may be virtually impossible to return home at all. When we proposed this idea to the emperor, he was not pleased. I was a close, trusted friend and official that he needed to help him rule. But in the kindness of his heart, he agreed to see us go if I escorted Princess Kokachin from Mongolia to her wedding with Prince Arghun of Persia. I, of course, gladly accepted the deal.

Q: Honestly, what kind of impact do you think you left on China?

A: I could tell how cut off China was and is from the outside world and how it lacked foreign influence. I hope by my stay, I taught people that not all Europeans and Westerners in general are the stereotypical uneducated, too rich idiots we are perceived to be. Hopefully now, I have been able to spread enough new ideas around that China will grow and prosper with the rest of the world, rather than still be living the same life in thousands of years when the rest of the world are communicating with aliens or practicing even more advanced sciences. While I know my presence was not enjoyed by all, I like to think I really helped China make the next step towards new and greater achievements.