“Ha ha ha ha…” “Woof woof woof…” Joyful children’s laughter rang out alongside excited barking from the narrow path beside the fields. The villagers working in the fields looked up to see a group of children playing with a large yellow dog.
Several ropes were tied to the dog, and these in turn were fastened to a small wooden cart. Seated inside the cart were two little girls, one older and one younger. The older girl held the younger one gently in her arms, shielding her protectively. The other children ran alongside the cart, keeping careful watch over the two passengers as they went.
The path was uneven and the dog’s pace unpredictable. Even a single loose stone could send the cart tipping over, and constant vigilance was needed. No one had the heart to tell the girls to stop, though. Not when they saw the radiant smile on Shushu’s face as she sat nestled in Wang Yan’s embrace. Surely so long as they did not fall, what harm could there be?
Fortunately the yellow dog was no longer young and impetuous. He was steady and sure-footed, trotting at an even pace no faster than a brisk walk and always keeping to a straight line. He never turned sharply without warning, and so the risk of overturning was greatly reduced.
Even were the cart to tip, at this speed no harm would come. The villagers watching the scene felt no cause for alarm. They merely smiled in understanding. Those few who were more cautious simply called out to bid them take care, and did nothing to interfere.
The path was roughly two meters wide, with a clear stretch of three or four hundred meters between bends. Shushu rode back and forth only twice before deciding she had enjoyed enough. Not because she was bored, but because she could not bear to see the dog grow tired.
This yellow dog belonged to the village chief and was kept to guard the household. He was also an adept ratter. He had lived longer than Shushu herself and had watched her grow up from infancy.
Between them there existed a deep bond of affection. The dog loved Shushu, and Shushu loved the dog. Whenever Shushu received something tasty to eat, she always shared a portion with him.
And whenever the dog caught a rat or a frog, he would proudly bring it back as a present to Shushu. Each time however his owner would take it away and dispose of it, telling him to eat his own catch and not to bring such things to the child. The dog would wag his tail and pant, looking foolish and obedient, and then proceed to do exactly the same thing all over again.
“Doggie, water.” Shushu had just been set down gently from the cart by Chen Dafei. Before she had properly steadied herself she hurried over to fetch water for him. She had no bowl so she simply tipped her own little water bottle and let the water flow so that he might catch it in his mouth.
The dog was well accustomed to this way of being given water. He leaned his head forward slightly and drank easily. After a few mouthfuls he was scarcely tired at all. He wagged his tail and nudged Shushu gently with his head, hoping she would climb back aboard the cart for another ride.
Shushu shook her head. “No more. Doggies must not get tired.” She stroked his head with her small hand and tugged gently at his rope, leading him off to one side to rest. The dog followed obediently, adjusting his stride to match hers so that he would not pull her over by walking too quickly.
Originally he had not been called Doggie at all. He had borne the common name Big Yellow. But when Shushu first came to the village chief’s home, barely able to speak, she pointed at him and cried “Doggie! Doggie!” And so in time everyone else adopted the name too. When it became clear that the dog answered readily to it, Big Yellow was formally renamed.
“Doggie, let us pick flowers.” Shushu had noticed a profusion of lovely little wildflowers growing beside the path. Delighted, she led the dog toward them, intending to gather blossoms and weave him a garland. She had only just learned how to make garlands from an older sister a few days earlier and was eager to practice her new skill.
Wang Yan and Ke Xiaohua came over to keep her company and help pick flowers. Meanwhile Chen Dafei and the others took charge of the cart and continued their games, now pulling it themselves rather than relying upon the dog.
Shushu chose her blossoms carefully. Only when she had gathered what seemed like enough did she begin weaving. The technique she had been taught was sound. Her hands however were still so small and her fingers so short that they lacked dexterity. The garland she fashioned turned out loose and uneven.
It could not be called ugly for the flowers themselves were beautiful. But when she placed it upon the dog’s head it would not stay. It slipped down around his neck like a collar instead. Then the dog, feeling something unfamiliar and ticklish against his skin, gave a shake of his coat. The loosely woven garland fell apart completely.
“Broken…” Shushu watched her handiwork come undone yet showed no sign of distress. She simply bent down and gathered up the scattered blossoms, preparing to start anew. The dog seemed to understand that he had been responsible for the mishap. He lay down contritely and looked up at her with wide, pleading eyes.
“It is all right.” Shushu patted his head gently, her voice soft and sweet. “Shushu wove it poorly. Shushu shall make another for Doggie.”
“Let me help you.” Ke Xiaohua had already finished her own garland. She placed it lightly upon Shushu’s head and it fit perfectly. Seeing that Shushu was having difficulty she came over to assist. With two pairs of hands working together the second garland turned out neat and strong. This one rested securely upon the dog’s head. It would not slip off nor be shaken apart easily.
“I have finished mine too.” Wang Yan held up the garland she had made. She did not place it upon her own head nor offer it to anyone standing nearby. Instead she intended to carry it home and present it to her mother.
Wang Yan’s mother was Captain Wang. In her past life Wang Yan had never enjoyed an easy relationship with her. The reasons were many and complex. At its heart it had been a story of one parent unable to express affection and one child unable to understand.
Only when Captain Wang had grown old and Wang Yan herself had become a mother had she come to understand all that her mother had endured. In time a measure of peace had grown between them. Now, given a second chance at life, both were learning how to be mother and daughter anew. Their bond had grown far closer than it had ever been before. Often they spoke together openly, sharing hopes and preferences, offering opinions on one another’s tastes.
“Shushu go too.” Shushu had heard Wang Yan say she meant to give her garland to her mother and had noticed her hesitation. Stepping forward bravely she offered to go along as her companion. Ke Xiaohua said she would also weave one to take to her own mother. Shushu declined however. It was not that she lacked skill. She knew only too well that she would make and give one garland, everyone in the village would expect one too. Shushu had only two small hands and could not possibly weave so many. The thought of all those requests filled her with quiet dismay. She had learned from experience. It was better not to begin something she could not finish.
“Thank you Shushu, and thank you Xiaohua.” Wang Yan embraced her gratefully. Then with a smile she declined their escort. She would go alone. And so Shushu and Ke Xiaohua stood watching from the roadside as Wang Yan hurried toward the fields clutching her garland.
Not far away Captain Wang stood tending her corn seedlings, applying fertilizer to the young shoots. She looked up in surprise to see her daughter approaching. Wang Yan held out her garland. Captain Wang bent down, accepted the gift, and placed it upon her head. When she straightened once more her face shone with a smile brighter than all the blossoms in the garland.
For the rest of that day the villagers saw Captain Wang moving about the fields with her slightly wilted garland perched proudly upon her head. Whenever anyone asked about it she would tell them with unmistakable pride that her daughter had made it. And when others remarked upon what a good and thoughtful daughter she had, Captain Wang’s laughter rang out so clear and joyous that it could be heard for miles around. Wang Yan, it seemed, had not realized just how enthusiastically her mother would show off her gift. She had long since retreated home to hide from shyness.
When Shushu had played to her heart’s content the dog escorted her to the home where she was to stay for the day. Chen Dafei walked beside them. He saw her safely to Captain Niu’s gate before he and the yellow dog turned and went their separate ways. It was still early, scarcely three in the afternoon. The fields were quiet for the villagers had not yet returned. Inside the courtyard an elderly woman sat sorting soybeans in peaceful silence.
Shushu pushed open the gate which had been left slightly ajar. She marched forward on short legs until she stood before the old woman who had not yet noticed her arrival. Then Shushu called out clearly. “Grandmother Chen.”
Grandmother Chen, whose hearing had grown poor with age, started in surprise. She looked up and saw Shushu, her face breaking into a warm smile. She reached out and drew the little girl close, her voice gentle and full of affection. “Is Shushu hungry? Let Grandmother fetch you something nice to eat.”
She rose unsteadily to her feet and began making her way toward the inner room. Shushu hurried beside her and took her hand. “Shushu is not hungry. Shushu does not wish to eat.”
Grandmother Chen heard nothing. Her hand was too firm and Shushu too small to hold her back. And so Shushu walked beside her, supporting the old woman’s steps just as a walking stick might.
Grandmother Chen entered her room and led Shushu to the bedside. From beneath the bed she drew forth an old tin box. Upon opening it Shushu saw that it contained pastries. Grandmother Chen took one red date cake and placed it in Shushu’s hand. “Eat this. It is sweet.”
“Thank you Grandmother.” Shushu accepted the cake. But instead of eating it immediately she broke it in half. Standing upon tiptoes she held one portion up to Grandmother Chen’s lips. “Grandmother must eat too.”
“Grandmother has no appetite.” Grandmother Chen demurred.
“Please.” Shushu insisted. “Grandmother must have some.”
Grandmother Chen yielded at last. She took the piece Shushu offered and ate it with a smile. Only then did Shushu eat her own share. It was small and sweet and she finished it quickly. When Grandmother Chen reached for a second cake to offer her, Shushu shook her head firmly. “No more. If Shushu eats now there will be no room for dinner.”
It was a phrase she had heard grown-ups say many times and she had remembered it well. Grandmother Chen might have difficulty hearing but she understood a shake of the head. She put the cake away and led Shushu back out into the courtyard where they continued sorting soybeans together. Tomorrow the household intended to make fresh tofu and the beans had to be inspected beforehand.
“Shushu will help.” Shushu pulled up a small stool beside her. Sorting soybeans however required judgement and care. She watched Grandmother Chen for a time but could not quite grasp what made the difference.
“Choose the large and plump ones.” Grandmother Chen did not dismiss her as being too young to learn. She explained patiently and let Shushu try for herself.
“This one?” Shushu held up a bean for inspection. “And this one?”
Each time Grandmother Chen answered gently. “That one is fine. Put that one aside…”