Chapter 8 I got a red scarf

A red scarf (dedicated to all members of the 13th Squadron of the No. 4 High School Brigade Department) was tied around my neck; I stretched out my grateful arms and hugged my 24 fiery hearts tightly!You took my life and turned me into a thirteen-year-old child, wearing a glorious red scarf, walking behind you.The twenty-five of us will work together forever from today, and love our red scarves together forever! Eleventh, fifteenth night, nineteen fifty-three.Beijing. This poem is written for a very memorable event in my illness. In November last year, three boys wearing red scarves came to see me. They said they were representatives of the 13th Squadron of the Young Pioneers of Beijing No. 4 Middle School and invited me to participate in their "Team Day" ".I have always liked children, and I especially liked the Young Pioneers, so I happily agreed.

In the afternoon of this day, they came to pick me up to the No. 4 Middle School, let me go to the reception room, introduced me to their principals and gentlemen, and then took me to a very beautifully arranged classroom on the building .Twenty or thirty children wearing red scarves sat in an oblong circle. A big sofa chair was prepared for me, and there was a tea set on a small table covered with a beautiful tablecloth beside it.The squadron leader announced the opening of the meeting and introduced me to the team members. They applauded enthusiastically. I told them a little about the situation of Japanese children. After the talk, the chairman thanked me on behalf of the whole team. Song, I thought the show was over, but unexpectedly the squadron leader announced that the team members would give me presents, so eight or nine children stood up one after another, and walked to the stage with presents, among which were pictures from their team, There are also the portraits of leaders and other model heroes drawn by themselves, and the prizes they have won from participating in various activities and competitions, such as books, medals, etc., all piled up on the table.

The last team member came forward and gave me a bright red scarf on behalf of the whole team. He tied the red scarf around my neck with his own hands. At this time, the children in the room clapped their hands vigorously. I like to be excited. I was speechless, I couldn't help holding the child who tied the scarf for me in my arms, and kissed his face. After the meeting, this large group of red scarves escorted me to the door, clapped their hands and said goodbye to me, and it was still the three children who sent me home. When I got home, I couldn’t calm down for a long time. I started to write a thank you letter to them. Experience, in the history of my past writing articles is not often there!

Unexpectedly, the next day, I received another letter of thanks from them. The handwriting was very neat. They thanked me for participating in their rally, and hoped that I would write more works "like mother's milk" in the future. "Nursing" them, making them "grow and develop stronger", under which are signed the names of twenty-four of them.I read and reread this passionate and poetic letter, and finally wrote my gratitude and determination into three short poems and sent them to them. After that, I joined the visiting group of the China-India Friendship Association and went to India for more than two months.Soon after my return, "my squadron" booked a time with me to come and see me, and they asked kindly about everything about India, especially about the peace movement in India and about all things about Indian children.I told them about the Indian people's love for the Chinese people, and the vigorous development of the Indian peace movement.

I showed them many photos we had taken in India, and I gave them photos of me with Indian children, and metal garlands that Indian children gave me.They accepted it with great pleasure, and they gave me their self-made small wooden boat and small plane, and also reported to me their excellent academic performance last semester.They played the harmonica, sang, danced at my house... We played happily for three hours. Every Saturday afternoon, they often come to visit me in groups of three or four.They became more acquainted with me, and gradually relieved the typical shyness of twelve or thirteen-year-old boys.From many conversations, I know that they are students in the second grade of junior high school. Their squadron was established on September 1, 1952. It includes two teams. Their two counselors are the second graders of the school's high school. classmate.They enthusiastically responded to Chairman Mao's call for young people to "be healthy, study well, and work well".They pay great attention to cleanliness and hygiene, and especially like sports—the whole squadron participated in the school’s sports meeting this spring, and won three first prizes—in terms of study, they not only study hard by themselves, but also help the class in various aspects. Bad classmates generally improve the academic performance of the whole class.They visit scientists and model workers and listen to their rich scientific knowledge and labor experience in increasing production.They draw and show scientific slides themselves.Under the slogan of "beautifying the campus", they dug rocks and leveled soil in front of the library, planted flowers and watered them, and were praised by the school for their outstanding performance.In terms of entertainment, they organize various gatherings, such as music record appreciation, poetry readings, dances, concerts, and dramas. They organize everything from rehearsals to performances by themselves.They often invite students outside the team and female students outside the school to participate in these assemblies.They often use their holidays to visit historical sites, and during the summer vacation, they also lived in summer camps at Badachu, Xishan, Beijing... These are what they told me about their rich lives.I suddenly remembered that the boy scouts in primary and middle schools came before liberation, and I asked them what was the difference between the Young Pioneers and the former boy scouts?They patiently told me that the Young Pioneers and the Boy Scouts are completely different. First of all, the Young Pioneers do not receive military training, nor do they carry ropes, batons, or whistles.They are children's own organization. All boys and girls aged nine to fifteen who volunteer to join the Young Pioneers, abide by the constitution, participate in activities, and are approved by the Young Pioneers Headquarters can become members. The only symbol of a member is the neck. A red scarf tied on top.

They told me very solemnly that the red scarf is the corner of the red flag.The red flag is the flag of victory, dyed with the blood of thousands of our revolutionary martyrs.Wearing this red scarf is to always remind yourself that you are a "pioneer", a person who pioneers the road, a person who walks ahead without fear of difficulties for the benefit of the people.Speaking of this, their eyes glowed with pride and seriousness! I often hear parents and teachers say that with team members at home, there are helpers for housework and education for younger siblings; with team members at school, it is easier to maintain good discipline in school life.Because the requirements of the young pioneers for themselves are to become a new generation of strong, lively, brave and honest people who love the motherland, love the people, love labor, love science, and care for public property.Their hard work and achievements are reflected everywhere in real life.They are the light and heat among children. There are now seven million young pioneers in China, and they have a great influence on children.

I can't help but feel proud and happy, because they gave me their most cherished red scarf!I know that the presentation of the red scarf is a "grand ceremony" in the Young Pioneers, which must be passed by all team members and approved by the team headquarters.I also know that this is their encouragement to me, asking me to be a children's literature writer with a red scarf!Four, Thirty, 1954, Beijing. (This article was originally published in Hong Kong's "Ta Kung Pao" on May 26, 1954.)