The scorching sun beat down mercilessly upon the rice fields. The crops shriveled and died. A forlorn figure walking between what would have been a good year’s harvest, viewed the damage with resigned eyes. The once golden rice fields were now brown and the vastness of the damage was too much to be only a year’s lost.
Li Dong Hua walked slowly to the little farmhouse he had built ten years ago. The attap house, made of wood, began showing signs of its age but he knew that it would still hold for a couple of years to come. He had once wanted to replace the decaying wood but he knew that his current financial state wouldn’t allow him to do so.
In the distance he could see his wife, Liu Kai Xin by the well doing the washing. As he came nearer, he could see that her once smooth hands were wrinkled and coarse. Her hair too had been bleached to a light shade of brown by the harsh sunlight. Her once girlish figure which had attracted men from his village had had now given way to a thin, bony form. The passing years had not been kind to her and Dong Hua sighed and felt guilty because he could not offer her a better life. Yet his wife has always been by his side, uncomplaining. At times, he had been amazed by her strength and fortitude. She never did shed a tear when the crops withered during the drought. Sometimes, he had to choke back his own tears to put a brave front for he is the leader of the family. Not being able to control his emotions would certainly put his family into worries. Indeed she had served him well, given him those silent encouragements, and he could find no fault with her.
Kai Xin looked from her washing as he approached. “Is it bad?” she asked softly.
“Very bad,” he replied “If this weather continues, we will be having a difficult year ahead.”
“Don’t worry. Kuan Yin will not let us starve.”
“Sometimes I’m not sure. If She exist, how can she be so cruel?”
“Hush, don’t say that. What has happened is all part of a test of our family’s strength. We are united as one right? I’ll always be with you, my husband.”
With that she held his hand and gave a peck on this cheek. Kai Xin finished hanging up the last of the clothes and, carrying the basket, they returned to the farmhouse together, hand in hand. His mother’s plaintive voice greeted them. She was a grand old octogenarian. When his eyes had grown accustomed to the dim light inside, he could make her out sitting on a wooden bench, fanning herself while complaining about the stifling heat.
Kai Xin laid the table and went over to help the old lady to it. Her mother-in-law moved daintily on her small, bound feet. She was very proud of them as had always bemoaned the fact that Kai Xin’s feet had not been properly bound when she was young.
“This porridge is too cold,” she grumbled. “That seems to be all we are eating everyday. Why, it has been so long since I last had a nice hot meal of noodles.” With that, she stood up and went over to the altar and lit a joss stick. The old lady mumbled her prayers fervently and bowed three times before placing the joss stick onto the ash bowl.
“Mother, we don’t have much money with us now. I promise you that you will get a bowl of noodles soon.” Dong Hua sounded confident but his heart sank when he thought of their bleak future. Somehow, his wife who stood there gazed softly into his hazel brown eyes, understanding what he was going through. She sensed a resigned tone in his voice but said nothing. Instead, she looked directly into him, giving him the strength he needed to pull through this difficult time.
As soon as he could, Dong Hua left for the fields after he ad a mouthful of overnight bread. The bread was hard and even harder to swallow as tears began to well up in his eyes. He could not tolerate his mother’s petty grievances and he felt sorry for his wife who had to endure with all her complains and managing the house when he is out in the fields.
After he left, Kai Xin cleaned the house and then settled down to do some sewing. Of late she had begun sewing little shoes and clothes for a baby. She had known that she was with child for a month now but was reluctant to break the news to her husband and mother-in-law for she knew I would add to their financial crisis.
Putting away her sewing, she went outside. Huge ominous clouds had gathered in the eastern horizon and a downpour seemed imminent. Her heart skipped a beat. Then at the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a bright yellow flower. It was a wile flower in full bloom when all the other flowers around it had withered under the heat. She bent down and plucked it. She cried out softly to her husband but he was to far to hear her voice. She then clasped the flower to her breast and whispered silently. “I love you my husband.” A trickle of tear rolled down her cheek. Wiping her tear away, she turned to go inside as the first drops of rain fell. There was hope yet.
3 comments:
Our suite creates a business birthday card on the principle of unexcelled and beautiful projects.
These projects are carried revealed close the cards the first staff of explicit artists and designers in
the market who are experts in every sense of the word. They are also quite lithe, so you can
achieve completely fascinating trade press card designs, depending on the characteristic needs of each client.
We do not own a professional printing machines undertake the highest distinction of each individual card.
Wide batch of dossier allows you to bump into rendezvous with the expectations of notwithstanding the most demanding customers
from every conceivable industry. We guarantee the language and amenities of huge quantities of responsibility
cards in the shortest conceivable time. In our what really happened, the highest grandeur is the amends of the proposed
penalty and reliable checking from people receiving and carrying revealed an busted recompense task cards.
With access to the services offered including our website, you can shortly and without undue
formalities mission an degree for goods, over again the commitment and approved it and ordered some task
cards. Settle upon our company as a righteous subject membership card is often a guarantee after success.
Greet
Merio [url=http://www.kalendarze.dogory.pl]Kalendarze[/url]
Hello. Facebook takes a [url=http://casino2013.webs.com/]casino online[/url] lash on 888 casino freight: Facebook is expanding its efforts to put real-money gaming to millions of British users after announcing a grapple with with the online gambling comrades 888 Holdings.And Bye.
[url=http://longchampsoldesk.angelfire.com/]sacs longchamps[/url] This certain element is a mystery within just alone. In a globe whole of unique animal skins and precious metals, the bamboo design stands as a lonely plant. It is an oddity to the designer purse domain, yet an endearing participant Discover related brands Mulberry Large Oliver Laptop Briefcase Light Coffee for Men, and Mulberry handbags in Handbags & Purses. that has turned into a acquainted experience.
[url=http://longchampbagsd.blog.cz/]sacs longchamps[/url] Fans of the franchise will recognize the opening though a subtle book placement will show that the protagonists for this film are a bit older than the high school age that the Highly Appreciated Mulberry Women's Piccadilly Bayswater Printed Leather Shoulder Black Bag, and shop the latest collection of Mulberry bags sale from the most popular stores - all in one place. manga and anime have them as. The film starts as Kei Kurono is waiting on a subway platform for a train to arrive. A commotion starts as a drunken man has collapsed onto the rails.
[url=http://longchampsoldesa.webs.com/]sacs longchamp[/url] When selecting the leather handbag, we should know clearly that what type of handbag we need. According to different design and bag style, we may divide the handbags into different types. Apart from focusing on the color, floral painting, item assortment and necessary functions, we should make a good choice on carrying method. In the last articles, we have introduced some tactics to be able to choose hermes bag in line with your style and your outfits. Today we would like to introduce some tactics or tips just with regard to colors. Hope you will get some practical and useful information from that so in future you are able to put it to use on choosing the best Hermes bags.. I really originated in an important honored family group, had been privileged for an excellent education, along with the benefits of best friends regarding knowledge. Being a lad I aspired as Excellent Mulberry Outlet Medium Alexa Leather Satchel Camel Bag popular sale Mulberry Handbags UK Online a minister. That i completed the fact that aim, however in time frame I really confirmed it had not been lifespan in my situation.
Post a Comment