On a warm spring afternoon, on the edge of town, Lao Yang and his granddaughter Xiaoyue (not their real name) sit under the weathered acacia tree.
The sun shined through the sparse clouds, on their smiling faces, and on the clusters of acacia flowers that were as white as snow.
Xiao Yue (pseudonym) tilted her head, her eyes flashing with curiosity: "Grandpa, why is this flower so fragrant? Where does it come from?" Lao Yang took a sip of tea, his eyes became profound, and he slowly opened the conversation.
"Xiaoyue (pseudonym), this acacia flower is not native, it has a distant hometown - North America. At the end of the 19th century, it rode the sails of the times, first to Europe as a guest, and then was brought to our China.
At first, it made its home in Qingdao, and the Germans wanted to see if it could take root in the land. Unexpectedly, this time, it has become a member of our country, and it is also known as the protagonist of the 'Acacia Peninsula'. ”
"I remember that in 1942, Henan suffered a great famine that had not been seen in a century, the crops were gone, and people were so hungry that their eyes were dizzy. At that critical juncture, the spring acacia flowers bloomed, snow-white and fragrant.
People began to try to eat this flower, but unexpectedly, it not only relieved people's urgent needs, but also became nectar in their mouths.
Since then, the acacia flower has become a 'life-saving flower' in the hearts of Henan people, which has not only saved countless lives, but also left a deep emotional imprint. ”
"The way to eat acacia flowers can be rich, simpler, you can wash it and mix it directly with flour and steam it to eat, which is called a fragrance.
If you are more complex, you can make dumplings filled with acacia flowers, or fried with eggs to make cakes, and every bite is a gift from nature. Acacia nectar is a rare product, sweet with a touch of acacia flower fragrance, is the sweet memory of many people's childhood. ”
"The story of the acacia flower is about the wisdom of the interdependence of nature and man. It teaches us that in the face of nature, human beings must learn to be humble, but also to learn to be grateful.
Every attempt and innovation may be the key to the continuation of life. Just like that famine, it was the acacia flower that made us understand that even seemingly ordinary flowers can bloom with the light of life at a critical moment. ”
"Xiaoyue (pseudonym), you may not imagine that in that era of scarcity of materials, a locust flower was a hope and the courage to live.
It not only nourishes the body, but more importantly, it plants seeds of hope in people's hearts, making people believe that no matter how difficult life is, spring will always come and flowers will always bloom. ”
"Nowadays, life is better, and acacia flowers are no longer just for hunger, but have become a kind of cultural and memory inheritance.
Every spring, people still pick locust flowers, not because of hunger, but for that feeling, that yearning for and cherishing a better life.
The acacia flower is still the same, but it has taken on a new meaning in the new era – reminding us not to forget the past, to cherish the present, and to protect this precious gift from nature. ”
Lao Yang's voice fell, and Xiao Yue (pseudonym) nodded thoughtfully. The spring breeze is light, and the acacia flowers are swaying in the wind, as if they are also telling their own stories, and the legends of survival, hope and love echo in the long river of time.
Note: The health and wellness suggestions in the article are for reference only (part of the picture is from the Internet, and the infringement contact is deleted)