<p class="ql-block">May 12, 2023</p><p class="ql-block"><b>My Enlightening "Teacher" Will Be Remembered Forever</b></p><p class="ql-block">When I was 19 years old, I started working on a farm in Ruili, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, a remote town on the China-Myanmar border, and worked there for five years. The village where I lived was situated at the foot of the Banling Mountains in Ruili. The local residents surrounding us were Dai people, and there was a dense primitive forest nearby where small animals such as deer and hare lived, and a small stream flowed in front of the village.</p><p class="ql-block">However, Despite the picturesque setting, our task was an onerous burden. Many hills in the area were covered with overgrown weeds due to generations of uncontrolled tree-cutting and wood-burning by local residents. Our task was to clear these hillsides, build terraced fields, and plant rubber trees. Additionally, we also cultivated farmland in slightly flat and water-rich areas, growing rice.</p><p class="ql-block">Terracing the hillsides was a laborious task. We each only had one hoe. Not only did we sweat profusely, but our hands were also blistered and eventually worn out from the constant friction against the hoe handle.</p><p class="ql-block">When planting rice, due to the lack of machinery, we relied on water buffalos to plow the fields. Planting, weeding, and harvesting were all done by hand.</p><p class="ql-block">The results of our arduous labor were the restoration of the damaged ecology. Our work turned barren land into vast rubber plantations and rice fields, producing rubber and rice. Seeing our fruitful results made us exceptionally happy.</p><p class="ql-block">As high school graduates, few of us had experienced such arduous work. However, after several years, the experience of the arduous working became an excellent enlightenment teacher, which changed our bodies and characters dramatically. We grew stronger, more mature, and more hardworking.</p><p class="ql-block">Those five years living in the countryside are unforgettable to me for a lifetime.</p><p class="ql-block">Note: The illustration depicts a beautiful nocturnal scenery - a dark blue sky illuminated by moonlight, phoenix bamboo, and thin clouds. It is possible that the scene may remain unchanged even now.</p> <p class="ql-block">2023 年 5 月 12 日</p><p class="ql-block"><b>我的启蒙“老师”将永远铭记</b></p><p class="ql-block">19岁那年，我在云南德宏傣族景颇族自治州瑞丽这个中缅边境的偏远小镇的一个农场里干了五年活。我住的村子位于瑞丽市半岭山脚下。我们周围的当地居民是傣族，附近有一片茂密的原始森林，栖息着鹿、野兔等小动物，村前有一条小溪流过。</p><p class="ql-block">然而，尽管风景如画，我们的任务却很繁重。由于当地居民世世代代无节制地砍伐树木和焚烧木材，该地区的许多山丘上长满了杂草丛生。我们的任务是清理这些山坡，建造梯田，种植橡胶树。此外，我们还在略平坦、水源丰富的地区开垦农田，种植水稻。</p><p class="ql-block">在山坡上修梯田是一项艰巨的任务。我们每人只有一把锄头。我们不仅大汗淋漓，而且由于与锄柄的不断摩擦，我们的手也起了水泡，最终磨损了。</p><p class="ql-block">种水稻时，由于没有机械，我们靠水牛耕田。播种、除草和收割都是手工完成的。</p><p class="ql-block">我们辛勤劳动的成果是恢复了受损的生态。我们的工作将贫瘠的土地变成了广阔的橡胶种植园和稻田，生产橡胶和水稻。看到我们硕果累累的成果，我们分外高兴。</p><p class="ql-block">作为高中毕业生，我们中很少有人经历过如此艰巨的工作。然而，几年后，艰苦的工作经历成为一名出色的启蒙老师，使我们的身体和性格发生了翻天覆地的变化。我们变得更坚强，更成熟，更努力。</p><p class="ql-block">在农村的那五年，让我终生难忘。</p><p class="ql-block">注：插图描绘了美丽的夜景——被月光照亮的深蓝色天空、凤尾竹和薄云。说不定到现在，场景都还没有变。</p>