(Fa Family Temple. Five large scrolls are decorated with Chinese characters representing traditional values. The ENSEMBLE enters and surrounds the stage; it will create sounds to accompany the action of the play and participate as characters in the action when needed. The FA FAMILY ANCESTORS emerge from behind the scrolls: LAOZI, Honor; LIN, Loyalty; ZHANG, Strength; HONG, Destiny; and YUN, Love. The ANCESTORS bow to the ENSEMBLE. The ENSEMBLE bows back to the ANCESTORS and sits. LAOZI claps twice, thеn raises his hands as though he werе conducting an orchestra.)

[LAOZI]
I ask the heavens to bring forth... wind!

(The ENSEMBLE creates a whistling sound. LAOZI claps; the ENSEMBLE is silent.)

An army!

(The ENSEMBLE creates marching sounds. LAOZI claps; the ENSEMBLE is silent.)

An avalanche!

(The ENSEMBLE creates avalanche sounds. LAOZI claps; the ENSEMBLE is silent. The ANCESTORS bow to the audience.)

Welcome, friends!

[YUN]
Welcome to ancient China!

[LIN]
Welcome to the story of Mulan!

[HONG]
It is a story of adventure...
[ZHANG]
And historic battles.

[LAOZI]
But most importantly, it is a story of Honor...

[LIN]
Of Loyalty...

[ZHANG]
Of Strength...

[HONG]
Of Destiny...

[YUN]
And of Love.

[HONG]
Here in ancient China, we believe that our destinies are written in stone.

[LIN]
Traditions are handed down.

[ZHANG]
From dynasty to dynasty. Unchanged.
[YUN]
We honor the way life has always been for our family...

[LAOZI]
And will continue to be...

[ANCESTORS]
For eternity.