Engaging with the legend of 'Mulan'

The legend of ‘Mulan’ is set in China during a period of war where a man from every family is required to join the army. Mulan’s father and brother are not fit to fight so she decides to join the army in order to protect them. Mulan disguises herself as a boy in order to be a soldier and she becomes a respected and accomplished warrior. When the war is won and Mulan returns home, she reveals herself as a girl and her soldiers are in awe of her. Summarising key events and ideas in a story helps to build our understanding of it.