During the week-length national holiday, a very special guest came to visit my family. This special person is my American Grandma.
My American Grandma is the "mom" who sponsored my mother while she earned her MBA in the USA. When my mother went to study in the US, there were not enough dormitories for everyone to stay on campus, so some of the students had to stay with a "host family". Thus, my mom lived with the family of this American Grandma. My special American Grandma has fine, wavy blond hair. There is always a confident wisdom that shines in her big blue eyes. She speaks such beautiful and fluent English that I often find myself listening to the smooth speech and forgetting to concentrate on thinking about words and meanings! During the October 1st holiday all of us visited the Three Gorges of the mighty Yangtze River together; and I feel like I have a brand-new relationship with my special American Grandma.
Toward the end of our journey, we visited Baidi City. In the Baidi City, there was a sad story which makes everyone heart-stricken. The story is called "Liu Bei trusted his orphans to Zhugeliang." During the three kingdoms period, Liu Bei's third allied brother, Mr. Guan Yu was killed by Mr. Sun Quan. Liu Bei turned his brain by outrage. He set out to attack Sun Quan in revenge. In the resulting battle, Mr. Liu Bei was defeated and had to flee to Baidi City. In the Baidi City, Liu Bei met his fate; but before doing so he entrusted his beloved son, A Dou, to the care and custody of Mr. Zhu Ge Liang. My American Grandma was so moved when she heard this story that tears I could see tears roll down her cheeks. I guess it reminded her of the time she helped my mom.
On the way going to our ferry, we saw a beggar who was asking money from tourists. American Grandma wanted to give him money, while my mother said that the beggar may have been on of the many who fake injury and helplessness as a way to get money from kind strangers. Nevertheless, mom could say or do nothing to prevent grandma from trying to help this needy stranger. Grandma gave half of her Renminbi to this complete stranger! Because Grandma cannot speak Chinese she asked mom to help in translation. This beggar gave many thanks after receiving so much money from the American. Mom, automatically, became the interpreter between Grandma and Beggar. While they continued talking, I enjoyed the beauty of Baidi City. When I returned my attention to them, I saw that the beggar had stood up and run quickly down the hill.
I looked at my mom questioningly. My mom explained to me significantly: "Grandma was quite sympathetic to this beggar. So grandma offered her money to help him. Then Grandma patiently lectured him; reminding him that everyone has two hands, that some people succeed, while others fail, can you guess why? This beggar understood at once. Thus, he ran down the hill to look for job." And at once it became clear that the kind and loving heart of Grandma was tempered by wisdom and resolve! Grandma explained a very fundamental principle to a beggar. Then my mother concluded "This very fundamental principle is often overlooked by many even after a lifetime of experience. What a pity!" After I heard the last two sentences, I said: "Everyone is equal and what is the pity for!" Mom stared blankly for a moment then told Grandma what I had said. Both of them laughed loudly. Thinking it back, if Grandma had not explained this, I would not understand at all. The question which some people will not understand in their whole life is explained clearly to the beggar by Grandma. Grandma turned a beacon to brighten the road ahead to end the strife in this former-beggar's life.
What a great Grandma with tremendous wisdom and a loving heart.
By William Zhang, on Oct. 11, 2008
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