Chapter 16 Thanks to our Chinese teacher

Near noon the day before yesterday, three teenagers who were studying in middle school and high school came to see me.They took a long car and walked a long way. With sweat on their faces, steam all over their bodies, and enthusiasm in their hearts, they shouted as soon as they entered the door: "×Mom, hello, we are here!" I almost watched these children grow up. I haven't seen them for a few months, and they seem to have grown a lot!Some have even changed their voices, some are wearing red scarves, but they look like a counselor instead of a middle school student, some are more reserved and shy, and look like a big girl, but to me, they seem to have returned to the old school. It's the same as at home, fanning a fan, drinking cold water, looking around, and talking incessantly.Finally, they run to the bookshelves and desks... "Do you have any new books?"

"You still have "Red Flag Spectrum". I read it once and forgot. The teacher asked us to read it in Xia Tian. Can you lend it to me?" "What is this "Hui Feng Ci Hua" talking about?" "Heh, in the seventh issue of "People's Literature", we all said that the article "Sister Lai" was well written, what do you think?" I really can't deal with three quick mouths by myself, I just look at them laughing, I just feel elated, what a fiery youth! Slowly, they sat down around me with books, water cups and big cattail fans in their hands, talking about reading books and literary works, and suddenly the conversation turned to the Chinese teacher.

The child whose voice changed said: "My interest in reading books was entirely caused by our Chinese teacher. The year before last, our Chinese teacher, needless to say, taught us in Chinese class, It was so vivid, we were all fascinated by it. I went to talk to him after class, and he introduced me to many extra-curricular books. That year, I read the most books. Classical literature in class, like "Pipa Xing" , I can still recite it. It’s a pity that this teacher only taught us for one year, and then went to compile textbooks. Later, the Chinese teacher taught the same content as the political class, and we didn’t have a deep feeling for the text. ..."

The quieter girl also smiled and said at this time: "Our Chinese teacher is also good, I just like to write essays with him. His topics are good, and everyone always has their own words, and they can't finish talking. He didn’t correct many papers, but when he talked with each student, he could talk for several hours. Now, I know that writing composition can also be a very happy thing..." Looking at those shining grateful eyes reminded me of many past events, from appreciation to writing, from bud to sapling, how many people have carefully cultivated them. I just said, "I wish your Chinese teachers were all here. They would be overjoyed when they heard this. But don't forget, 'Master leads you in, practice is up to you'. Reading and writing, once you have Once you have made a good start, you have to work hard to continue, otherwise, when the teacher leaves, these good habits will follow. Do you think it is a pity? Then the teacher will teach for nothing!"

They all laughed, "Maybe it was a waste of time, we worked hard, but we still thank our teacher!" I seem to be saying to myself, "As long as we work hard, the teacher will never teach in vain. Let us all thank our teacher!" (This article was originally published in "Beijing Evening News" on July 25, 1962, and was later included in the collection of essays "Xiaozha Gleaners".)