(PLAY SONG NOW)

Mulan:Look at me ... I will never pass for a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter
Can it be?
I'm not meant to play this part?
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself
I would break my family's heart.

Who is that girl I see
Staring straight back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don't know
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am, though I've tried
When will my reflection show
Who I am inside?
When will my reflection show
Who I am, inside?

Fa Zu:My, my, what beautiful blossoms we have this year. But look, this one's late. I bet when it blooms, it will be the most beautiful of all.

Drums sound

Mulan:What is it?

Imperial soldiers and Chi Fu come riding over a hill.

Fa Li:Mulan, stay inside.

Granny Fa:Ahem. [points toward a low roof. Mulan runs over to it and peers over the roof]

Chi Fu:Citizens! I bring a proclamation from the Imperial City! The Huns have invaded China! By order of the Emperor, one man from every family must serve in the Imperial Army. [Reading from list] The Chow Family! The Yee Family!

Son:I will serve the Emperor in my father's place.

Chi Fhou:The Fa Family!

Mulan:No!

Her father walks over to Chi Fu.

Fa Zhou:I am ready to serve the Emperor.

Mulan:Father, you can't go!

Fa Zhou:Mulan!

Mulan:[To Chi Fu] Please, sir, my father has already fought for--

Chi Fu:Silence! You will do well to teach your daughter to hold her tongue in a man's presence.

Fa Zhou:Mulan. You dishonor me.

Chi Fu:Report tomorrow at the Moo-Shung Camp. [He hands Fa Zu a scroll.]

Fa Zhou:Yes, sir.

Chi Fu:[Continues to read] The Chu Family! The Chang Family! The Yong Family!

In Fa Zhou's bedroom

Fa Zhou yanks open his closet, revealing a suit of Chinese armor, and unsheaths a sword. Mulan watches. He practices techniques, but his leg gives out and he falls against a pillar, panting.

At dinner

Mulan pours the tea, then sets her cup down with a bang.

Mulan:You shouldn't have to go!

Fa Li:Mulan!

Mulan:There are plenty of young men to fight for China!

Fa Zhou:It is an honor to protect my country and my family.

Mulan:So you'll die for honor.

Fa Zhou:I will die doing what's right.

Mulan:But if you ...

Fa Zhou:I know my place. It is time you learned yours.

Mulan stares at her father for a moment, then runs outside crying.

Mulan is sitting in a statue of a dragon, crying. It is raining. Through the window of her house, she can see her mother and father talking. Fa Zhou picks up the candle and blows it out. Mulan thinks for a minute, then makes her decision.

Mulan walks into the Family Temple and lights a stick, placing it in a hanging statue of a small dragon. She runs into her parent's room, taking the scroll and leaving her hair comb. Taking her father's sword, she cuts her hair short and puts on her father's armor. Going out to the stable, she mounts Khan and sets off for the army.

The eyes of a statue in the temple flash, and Granny Fa wakes up.

Granny Fa:Mulan is gone!

Fa Zhou:What? It can't be ... [He runs outside]Mulan! No ...

Fa Li:You must go after her. She could be killed.

Fa Zhou:If I reveal her, she will be.

Granny Fa:Ancestors, hear our prayer. Watch over Mulan.