Chapter 23 Talking about "commune fruit"

Grapes are one of my favorite fruits.Regarding grapes, I have many happy and wonderful memories like fairy tales. Unfortunately, Beijing is not a place where grapes are produced, and the period of being on the market is very short. "Beijing" and "grapes" are rarely connected in my mind. This autumn, all kinds of fruits poured into the city of Beijing from the surrounding suburbs like a constant stream of precious stones. Peaches, pears, apples, persimmons... are displayed in the windows of shops everywhere, exuding attractive colors and rich colors. fragrant.Grapes in particular, are purple like amethyst and green like beryl. The clusters of dense grains are covered with a fine layer of hoarfrost.

Seeing the grapes, I feel happy and happy! These grapes come from not far away, just in the suburbs of Beijing. Like other fruits, they are called "commune fruit", which is a great product of the rural people's commune!Since 1958, we have visited many people's communes in the suburbs and heard about their production plans.We also know how many orchards they have opened up and how many excellent varieties have been introduced. We even saw rows of tiny saplings on the vast land.But our vision is short-sighted after all, it seems that it will be many years before we can eat the fruit, and we are not surprised until the strings of amethyst and green jade are lined up in front of our eyes.An Anhui folk song says:

Yesterday the mountainside was bare, today apricots and durians are planted. In a few more springs and autumns, the dried tall branches and green fruits will form into balls. Children who come to play at that time, be careful that the fruits bump into each other. Our peasant brothers have this confidence and perseverance.They know that for every penny of blood and sweat, there is a price.With one heart and one mind, they rushed out of the three years of dark clouds and natural disasters, and presented the rich fruits of their hard work in front of the people of the whole country. Let us sing with drums and celebrate a fulfilling and prosperous National Day.

Grapes are but one fruit among many, and fruit is but one food among many.Reading the daily newspapers, we are also delighted to see that all parts of the country have harvested not only agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fishery, but also progress in the construction of light and heavy industries.Thirteen short years, with such achievements, we can't suppress the excitement in our hearts, let our enemies be dumbfounded and dejected.Let us rejoice, step on a rigorous pace, sing the song "Socialism is Good" at the same time, and move towards a bright and lofty future.

(This article was originally published in "Beijing Evening News" on October 2, 1962, and was later included in the collection of essays "Xiaozha Gleaners".)