That Patch of Grass-Green in Gancuo Village's Memory

I remember the first day we arrived at Gancuo Community. After unloading our luggage at the elementary school library, we rushed outside full of excitement, eager to find a farmer who would let us experience working in the fields.

On a blazing afternoon, with the scorching sun beating down on our heads, we searched hard along the field ridges for a farmer. At last, among the many lush green fields, we found an old farmer who was very happy to let us help pull weeds in his paddy.

Excitedly, we immediately tossed our shoes and socks by the roadside and stepped into the soft, wet mud. Our feet sank in almost halfway, cool and chilly, and the bubbles in the soil popped lightly against our skin. So this is what it feels like to stand on the earth.

The old farmer enthusiastically taught us how to "rub the weeds" and remove pests. Watching his wrinkled, rough hands pull up weeds with such strength, I felt a surge of emotion and respect in my heart.

He mentioned that he had helped his parents in the fields since childhood, toiling away his whole life at farming. Now, though advanced in years, he still tends this plot of land. It is truly hard work, but seeing the lush, healthy rice fills his heart with even more gratitude, for it is because of their diligence and perseverance that we have delicious rice to enjoy!

The old rural landscape was full of close human ties and simple, honest marks, but with the arrival of the industrial and commercial era, many rural scenes can now be found only in memory or in books. This time, by taking part in the college student rural return program held by the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau, I actually visited and went deep into a plain, unadorned little village, piecing together bit by bit the old memories of the countryside. For me, it was a great chance to reconnect with those memories.

In my memory, there were also many rice paddies near my home when I was little. On my way to school, I would walk along looking at the paddies the whole way. Looking back now, the scene of walking to school back then was all green! Later, those rice-growing places turned into one heartless building after another, as if forcing the memories of the past to be dyed in the color of buildings. Fortunately, I still remember that patch of grass-green, and I think I will never forget it! Although the results of carrying out the rural program matter, I believe the journey we went through is even more precious, and what is more worthy of pride is us.

Further Reading
The Daughters of Gancuo Village