The Tub. Painting by Edgar Degas

This is an account of those two lovers who wanted to reach Hong Kong from China after crossing a three miles long sea. Their attempt did succeed, but there was neither the enthusiasm of success nor any wave of gaiety. On the contrary, death and disappointment was the fate of that couple.

The boy died in the sea. The girl could have r beloved and reached the shore herself, if she wanted. But, she kept on swimming with the corpse and reached the destination after overcoming all the hurdles. This aspect of the story makes it an epic.