and, not my photograph still…
From the Front Page Sections, translated…
It was, one in the morning, there was, a fifth grade girl, lying next to me on the trains. The moonlight came from the window, of this small cabin, illuminated her childish face. The other children too were, comfy, inside their sleeping bags, fast, asleep.
Yesterday, they’d set out, form the hiking trail entrance in Wulng, in the leadership of their school teacher, they were, fully equipped. We had similar treks, and so, we’d, accompanied them along the way. As we’d arrived at Chih-Ka Villa, the darkness enveloped the cabins, the students all, rushed in, set up their sleeping bags, didn’t make any noises at all.
The way the kids had handled themselves left me in awe, it was, as if, I’d, entered into a villa on the heights in Japan. In the climbing conditions in Taiwan, normally, as the climbers entered, they would all, holler aloud out of ecstasy, like they’re, in their own homes, with absolutely NO regards of others being there too.
But, apparently, this group of kids had, gone through the rigorous trainings of climbers, and knew, that this was a public facility, that they’d needed to, show respect toward others. In the darkness, they’d, skillfully, opened up their bags, sorted through their own things. As everything was set up, they’d not needed, any adult assistance whatsoever. The teacher just, reminded them, not to disturb other climbers who were sleeping in the same place as they are, like she’d led, a group of grad students.
In order to not carry so much weight, we had, loaned our sleeping bag, but these kids, they’d, brought along their own. Other than the food, that were, given to the mountain guide to take care of, the kids had also, needed to, haul along their personal belongings. Before the climb, their teacher had, taught them a lot about the Snow Mountains. Including the wildlife, the geographic region, how to use the map, the compass, etc., etc., etc. And, naturally, they were taught, how to walk too, the running for exercises, as well as cultivating their wills to be stronger.
The teachers did not let go of any opportunities to teach the lessons, even as they’d arrived at the villa, the instructor still gave out the lessons orally, instead of allowing the kids to run and play. When we were spending our leisure time at the villa, the kids still had homework assignments to finish. As we’d dined, a teacher accidentally recognized me, begged me, to share some of my stories with the kids later on in the evenings, as a present for their hiking ventures. I’d agreed gladly, told the legend of the snow squirrels and the black forests in the Snow Mountains. I’m truly blessed, to have, shared the knowledge of the mountains with a group of kids who are so interested in acquiring the knowledge about the world.
The very next day before setting out, the children all packed up their things, got everything together on their own, took the belongings out of the cabin, lined them up. Then, the teacher who led the troop had, performed a serious, majestic ritual for the climb. Thanked everybody’s tolerance, so they would have the chance, to get closer to nature, thanked the supports from the parents, to come along on this climbing trip. At the same time, hopefully, with the guard of the mountain spirits, they can, accomplish this climb without troubles.
Then, they set off. We’d followed along, until Villa 369, we’d all, bunked together, this time, several kids were assigned to the sleeping slots next to me, and, they’d still, set up their places like they’d done the night before, without any adult’s help.
The fifth grader, Liu saw that I was already lain down, as she was sorting through her things, she’d not turned the lights on, folded up her equipment in the darkness quietly. I’d noticed it, told her that I wasn’t bothered. But, she was very, courteous, told me, that she can manage, without lights, that it really isn’t, necessary. Then, she’d found her way into her sleeping bag, quietly.
At two, she and her other classmates were all awake, quickly, they’d set up their beds, took out the backpack that they’d prepared from yesterday, to help them get to the top of the mountain. At the moment’s time, she couldn’t find her handkerchief, I’d helped her by holding the flashlight for her so she could look, she’d thanked me again. An hour before, a group of adults gave them the encouragements, then, they were, off. In the darkness of the night, they ate in silence, then left.
And, you can see, how well-rounded this group of kids from the elementary years were, can’t you? And, it takes a lot of discipline, a lot of maturity, that kids at that age normally don’t have, to accomplish what they are able to accomplish, and being there in the same sleeping place, the elementary school kids had, touched this writer who’d traveled across the world!
Life, the Obstacle Course 