Feng Ping, University of Warsaw Walking down the street on a little road in the countryside, I saw the waves of corn and kaoliang moving in the wind as if they were waves in the sea. Magpies could be heard everywhere. It was so quiet that only a few trains passing by whistling loudly could be heard. I breathed in the free air and felt extremely relaxed. My complicated life suddenly became very simple. I was miraculously cured from my two symptoms of illness. There were no more unrealistic desires and laziness disappeared. All I had in mind at that time was to live and let live. I felt life was so simple, full of hope and expectations. It was like how the farmers feel: To survive. I gained strength when I was walking on the countryside road alone. I thought of many things: How hard it will be for a village child to climb the social ladder and change their destiny; what determination we needed if we want to make a change in our life; how much we need to sacrifice and give up in order to achieve our goals. I thought and thought until I walked to the end of the road. I thought of the old saying, “When there is a will, there is a way.” That’s why so many children of farmers go to top universities in China, because we are the master of our own fate. I told my sisters about this. They agreed with me. Though I swear if I stay in the village any longer, I would surely suffer, I am very thankful for the trip back to it. After being totally free from computers and television, my two illnesses were healed. I found my old self with a goal, realistic and practical. If I wanted to realize my dream, I need to toil like a farmer and endure the pains and cuts in life. And if I want to be a wise man, I should learn to drop the burdens of life and walk on the road easily. | 