Hey, it all started on a dark and windy night.
Our village, backed by green mountains and facing green water, is as beautiful as a painting all year round.
But at night, it was so dark that I couldn't see my fingers.
There is a young man at the east end of the village, named Ah Qiang, who is as his name suggests, with a tough body and a good heart.
That night, the moon hid in the clouds, and the stars were as if they had been blown out.
Ah Qiang slept soundly, and suddenly his stomach hurt like turning over the river and the sea, so he had no choice but to get up in the dark and go to the dilapidated latrine in the backyard to solve it.
Cuong put on his clothes and carried a broken lantern in his hand, the shadow of the lamp flickering, barely illuminating the path under his feet.
As he walked, he muttered, "It's scary to see a ghost in the dark at night." As he was walking, a cool breeze blew, and Cuong shivered.
Suddenly, he felt as if something was moving in front of him, and when he looked closely, hey, hey, guess what?
It turned out to be three little children, playing in a place where the moonlight could barely shine, and their laughter was crisp, which was particularly harsh in this silent night.
Ah Qiang muttered in his heart: "In the middle of the night, where did the children come from who didn't sleep and ran out to make a fuss?" He wanted to come forward and ask, but after pondering, how could there be children playing by themselves in this wilderness?
Could it be that I am dazzled?
He rubbed his eyes, and when he saw that the three children were still there, this time they seemed to notice Cuong, and they all turned their heads and stared at him with an indescribable look, and the smile slowly froze on their faces.
Ah Qiang's heart tightened, and his feet unconsciously quickened his pace, and he silently said in his heart: "Hurry up and go, don't run into something unclean." ”
But the strange thing happened, no matter how he went around, the three children were nailed there like nails, and no matter how Cuong walked, it seemed to be circling around them.
At that moment, a stronger wind blew, and the fire in the lantern swayed and almost went out.
With this faint light, Cuong carefully looked at the three children again, and saw that they were wearing ancient clothes, and their faces carried a kind of innocence and sorrow that did not belong to this world, like elves coming out of a painting, and like forgotten lonely ghosts.
Cuong was shocked and wanted to shout, but found that he couldn't make a sound.
At this moment, one of the children slowly spoke, although the voice was immature, but with a bit of vicissitudes: "Good Samaritan, don't be afraid, we don't have bad intentions, we just want to ask you for help." Although Cuong was surprised, he reluctantly nodded and said that he was willing to listen to them.
The boy then said, "Uncle Li from the west of the village, there will be trouble tomorrow, I hope you can help him and save his life." After speaking, the figures of the three children gradually blurred, and finally disappeared into the night, leaving Cuong standing there alone, stunned for a long time.
Early the next morning, the situation changed abruptly.
Early the next morning, Cuong came home full of questions, originally planning to tell his family about last night, but thinking about it was too bizarre, he was afraid that his family would worry, so he decided to find out first.
When he got up in the morning, Ah Qiang finished his breakfast and hurried to Uncle Li's house in the west of the village.
Uncle Li is a character in the village, he is old and a good person, and no one in the village does not respect him.
But as soon as Ah Qiang arrived, he saw that the courtyard of Uncle Li's house was crowded, and the atmosphere was both busy and heavy.
It turned out that Uncle Li suddenly became very ill last night, and the family was as anxious as ants on a hot pot, and even Lang Zhong was invited, but there was still no way, looking at this posture, Uncle Li was afraid that he would not be able to hold on.
Ah Qiang squeezed into the crowd and saw Uncle Li lying on the bed, his face as white as paper, his breathing was so weak that he could barely hear it, as if he would lose his breath at any moment.
Ah Qiang's heart tightened, remembering the entrustment of the three children last night, and thinking that he had to try it anyway.
He looked around, and suddenly noticed the old locust tree in the yard, the trunk was as thick as a pillar, and the branches and foliage were so thick that it covered the sky and the sun, and he heard that this tree had lived for hundreds of years.
Ah Qiang's heart moved, and he remembered what the old people in the village often said, the ancient tree has a spirit, and it may be able to help.
He walked under the tree, folded his hands, closed his eyes, and prayed silently: "If there is really a spirit, help me and save Uncle Li." ”
Strange to say, at this moment, a gust of wind blew, and the leaves of the old locust tree shook gently, as if in response to Ah Qiang's words.
Cuong opened his eyes and saw a green leaf slowly falling, right in the palm of his hand.
He was overjoyed, carefully put away the leaves, and turned to go into the house.
In the house, Uncle Li's situation has reached a critical juncture, and the family and Lang Zhong are helpless.
Cuong took a deep breath, walked over to Uncle Li's bed, and gently placed the emerald green leaf on his forehead.
It's also amazing, Uncle Li's face gradually regained its ruddy color, and his breathing became stable.
The people in the room were stunned one by one, and their eyes were as wide as copper bells, as if they had seen a ghost.
Uncle Li's grandson Xiao Li was so excited that he almost cried, grabbed Ah Qiang's hand tightly, and asked repeatedly: "Brother Qiang, how did you do this?"
My grandfather ......"
Ah Qiang smiled slightly, his heart was also mixed, patted Xiao Li's shoulder, and said softly: "Don't ask, let's take care of Uncle Li first." As he spoke, he looked at the old locust tree outside the window with complicated eyes, and was secretly grateful in his heart.
In the next few days, Uncle Li's health is getting better and better day by day, not only can he eat and drink, but he can also get out of bed and walk a few steps.
This matter spread in the village, and everyone said that Ah Qiang was protected by the gods.
Even the old Mrs. Wang at the head of the village came to give Ah Qiang a few home-raised eggs, saying that they were immortal.
Ah Qiang didn't shirk it, and accepted it with a smile, but he knew in his heart that what kind of fairy spirit this thing was, but he happened to do something that he should do.
He thought about the three children, grateful and puzzled, wondering who they really were and why they had chosen him for this task.
In a flash, the month has passed, Uncle Li's health is as good as something, and the people in the village have specially given him a banquet, happy and happy.
At the banquet, Uncle Li took Ah Qiang's hand and burst into tears: "Ah Qiang, you saved my life, why do you say I thank you?" Ah Qiang grinned and waved his hand: "Uncle Li, our neighbors, help each other, isn't that what it should be, thank you." Uncle Li shook his head and looked serious: "No, this thing is different.
I know something must have happened to you that night, or my life would have been gone.
You have to tell me, so I can be sure. As soon as Ah Qiang saw this posture, he knew that he couldn't hide it, so he found a place where no one was there and told Uncle Li everything about that night.
After listening to this, Uncle Li was silent for a long time, and finally sighed: "I see, it seems that there are really things in this world that we can't see or touch." ”
Since then, there has been a tacit understanding between Ah Qiang and Uncle Li that others can't understand.
Uncle Li often dragged Ah Qiang to sit under the old locust tree at the head of the village, and told him stories from ancient times, as well as those folk legends about souls and karma.
Ah Qiang listened with relish, and slowly understood the intention of the three children that night - they may be the undead who Uncle Li helped before his death, and now they are repaying his kindness like this.
Time passed day by day, and Ah Qiang became a celebrity in the village, not only because he saved Uncle Li's life, but also because of his integrity and kindness.
The people in the village are willing to ask him for help when they have any difficult things, and Ah Qiang never refuses, always happily agrees to come down and do his best.
In the blink of an eye, it is the winter solstice of another year, and the people in the village want to hold a grand sacrifice according to the custom to thank God for the harvest and peace.
As the representative of the young people in the village, Cuong was chosen to be the presiding officer of the sacrifice ceremony.
That night, the moon shone brightly, and silver light sprinkled the earth.
Ah Qiang stood under the old locust tree at the head of the village, holding incense in his hand, looking at the pious faces of the villagers, his heart was full of solemnity and awe.
He closed his eyes and prayed silently, hoping that the coming year would be smooth and the villagers would live a happy and healthy life.
At this moment, a light breeze blew, and Cuong seemed to see the figures of the three children again, looming in the moonlight, smiling and nodding at him.
His heart warmed, knowing that it was their affirmation and blessing to him.
After the sacrificial ceremony, Cuong sat alone under the old locust tree for a long time.
Looking back on his experiences over the years, he feels as if he had grown up a lot overnight.
He understands that no matter how complex and changeable the world is, as long as there is love and kindness in his heart, he can find his own direction and warm the hearts of others.
In the middle of the night, Ah Qiang got up from the kang with a bone, and his heart was comfortable, as if he had drunk honey.
He knew in his heart that there was still a long way to go, but as long as he gritted his teeth, he would definitely be able to break out of his own bright road.
The child he met that night, in his heart, was like that baby pimple, always reminding him that no matter when and where, he must maintain a good heart and be an upright person.
When I got home, my daughter-in-law Xiaofang had already cooked the meal hot and steaming.
Ah Qiang sat on the kang and ate it in a big gulp, the taste was more real than any delicacies from the mountains and seas.
Xiao Fang stood aside, watching him eat deliciously, with a smile on his face, and his heart was full of pride.
She knows that her man doesn't talk much, but he has a good heart and is a person who can carry big things.
"Qiangzi, how about a sacrifice today?" Xiaofang asked as she cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks.
"It's good, everyone's happy." Cuong's mouth was full of words, and he couldn't say anything.
"What about you?
Do you have any special feelings? Xiao Fang's eyes were full of curiosity.
Ah Qiang was stunned for a moment, then smiled, put down his chopsticks, looked at Xiaofang seriously and said, "Yes, I think our village is like a big family, everyone is contributing to this family, and they are all enjoying the warmth of home."
It's a good feeling. ”
Xiao Fang listened, her eyes flashed with tears, she gently held Ah Qiang's hand, and said softly: "Yes, with you, this family is complete." The two looked at each other and smiled, tacit understanding and affection, both in their eyes.
As the days passed, Cuong was still the hardworking and kind young man, but he had more responsibilities and missions in his heart.
He began to participate more actively in the activities of the village, whether it was building roads and bridges, or helping the poor.
The villagers are also willing to follow him, because he not only works hard, but more importantly, he has a sincere heart.
In the blink of an eye, it is another year of spring flowers.
The village decided to hold a grand temple fair to celebrate the arrival of spring and also to pray for a good harvest and peace in the coming year.
Cuong naturally became the leader of the preparations, and he took a few young men with him, busy with various matters.
On the day of the fair, the whole village was bustling with activity.
Colorful lanterns hang all over the treetops, a variety of food stalls exude an enticing aroma, and those traditional folk performances attract villagers from all over the country to watch.
Cuong weaves through the crowd and is busy, but he always has a smile of satisfaction and happiness on his face.
Towards the end of the fair, Cuong suddenly saw three familiar figures standing at the edge of the crowd, the same three children he had seen that night.
They were wearing the same clothes, with familiar smiles on their faces, and they were looking at him quietly, as if to say, "Brother Qiang, you are really good!" Ah Qiang was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly took a step, wondering if his eyes were glazed.
But when he really got there, the children were like dandelions blown away by the wind, and they disappeared in a flash, leaving only the faint fragrance in the air and the few locust leaves on the ground that fell with the wind.
Cuong stood there, and an indescribable feeling suddenly surged in his heart.
He understood that this was the trust and encouragement of the three little ones for him, and it was also their best wishes for his future days.
Since then, the belief in Cuong's heart has become stronger.
He understands that no matter what difficulties he encounters in the future, as long as he has kindness and integrity in his heart, there will be no obstacles that he cannot overcome, and he will definitely be able to usher in a more brilliant tomorrow.
Time flies, and in a blink of an eye, Ah Qiang has also changed from that young man in his prime to an elder in the village.
His children have also grown up and inherited his kindness and hard work, and continue to contribute to the prosperity of the village.
As for Ah Qiang himself, although he is old, he is still so energetic, and he is enthusiastic to participate in the big and small affairs in the village, and use his wisdom and experience to show the way to the younger generation.
In the dead of night, Cuong always likes to sit under the old locust tree at the head of the village, looking at the stars in the sky, and reminiscing about his life.
He would think of the night that changed his fate, of the three mysterious children, of his contribution to the village.
Every time at this time, his heart is warm, it is the love of life, the vision of the future, and the deep nostalgia for that unforgettable experience.
The story of Ah Qiang and that night also spread in the village, and it became a good story.
Every time a new face comes to the village, the old people of the village will sit around and tell the story vividly, so that more people can feel the kindness, integrity and indomitable strength.