Mom and Son Relying on Each Other for Survival 相依为命的母子
Last week I went to see a student, who lived in the 5-hour-away countryside. The first 3 hours was a bus ride to a small one-street town, where I was told the road ahead was impassable. With the help of locals and a draft map, I managed to make it to Li’s home(my student) before noon. Li is a sensible and clever girl. She was ill and absent from school for a week. My visit was mainly to help her make up the missed lessons.
After lunch, I bumped into Li’s nextdoor maternal uncle, who was dining with his mom. With open arms,they invited me to join them. After a small talk, I stepped into their world bit by bit. The 43-year-old host, surnamed Wang, was still in singlehood while his mom hadn’t been remarried since her better half passed away 12 years ago. When asked why he didn’t find a wife, this honest man smiled and hinted that I should have a good look around. Yes, I saw. The house (no, it was at best a hut) was scantily furnished. No any electric appliances. A bag of chemical fertilizer placed in the corner maybe was the only stuff that was worth money.
Wang added that he,as the only son in the family, should support her old mom, who was in poor health. Last year’s stroke almost paralized this poor old woman. Now she can only do some simple housework like cooking while her son grows a mu(亩) of rice paddy. Occasionally,the only breadwinner would go to town to do some odd jobs.
"We are not the most poorly off in this village and the life is much better than before. My only wish is my mom stays healthy and happy for the rest of her life." This middle-aged man said.
i dare hardly believe this is a true family?
In younan how many families live like these?
too poor , this kind of poverty makes me tear!
we should shout: save them!!!!!!!!! how can we do?
Comment by jane — November 25, 2006 @ 9:35 am
i dare hardly believe this is a true family?
In younan how many families live like these?
too poor , this kind of poverty makes me tear!
we should shout: save them!!!!!!!!! how can we do?
Comment by jane — November 25, 2006 @ 9:40 am
hi, jane, long time no see. very glad u visit my blog, i’ll meet u on skype until my dorm is reconnected to Internet. i am now in a cybercafe
take care, i’ll miss u.
Comment by yunnan — November 25, 2006 @ 12:40 pm