A clear stream surrounds the village all year round. There are a few weeping willows planted on both sides of the stream, and the long and soft willow branches are fluttering in the wind. The graceful dance posture is so beautiful and so natural. There are two or three particularly long branches, hanging on the water surface, with sparkling ripples. When water bird stands on its waist and sings, the flowing water also sings, making a pleasant sound.
When there is a drought, the stream will dry up. Villagers usually rely on it to irrigate the countryside, clean clothes, and embellish the scenery. Sometimes, it only has a thin flowing spring that passes through the cracks of the stone. My group of six or seven-year-old children and I like to open up the stones and look for small fish, shrimps and crabs. We did not catch it and eat it, but kept it in a glass bottle to play.
A small wooden bridge spans the stream. I like to cross the bridge, and I am even more happy to throw the wild flowers I pick under the bridge and let the running water send them to the distance.
My home is very close to the bridge and it will be within five or six minutes of walking. Walking east along the bank of the stream, there is also a feldstone bridge, which leads to Tea Mountain. I once went up the mountain to pick tea leaves with the flower picker. I like to appreciate the purple wild flowers and yellow wild bacteria under the tea tree. Until now, when I see the tea tree, the scene at that time will immediately appear in my mind.
I love my hometown, that is where I was born. My family only has a few short bungalows, the bedroom I was born with was dark and the ground was wet, but I loved it very much. My father’s study is right in front of me, so I can go and play every day. It was a beautiful house with air circulation, plenty of sunshine and large windows on the southeast. In the early morning, you can see the sun emerge from the bushes on the back mountain. In summer, the cool breeze blows in from the south window, so comfortable! What's even more beautiful is that from the east window I can see the stream and bridge, as well as the passionate willows.
Most residents of my hometown are surnamed Xie. Villages are big and small. The big ones have fifty or sixty families, while the small ones have only three or four families. Everyone lives a peaceful life of "working from sunrise, resting from sunrise" and "watching and helping each other". Those days were deeply imprinted in my mind. I will never forget those beautiful impressions in my life.
Note: This essay won the highest award of Baihua Literature and Art Publishing House "Liuquan Cup" in 1994, and has now been included in the fifth grade textbook of primary school in my country's People's Education Edition.
