On the film Romeo and Juliet

Yesterday afternoon I watched the American film Romeo and Juliet in Chinese version on TV. I feel guilty to be attracted by the sexy heroine, who, it seemed to me, is seized with sexual desire and physical love. I first learnt about the play by listening to the translated form over the radio when at school. I was favorably impressed by his exquisite language dubbed by actors with melodious voices. Then I watched curiously the black－white film also translated on TV. This time I became further acquainted with the fantastic clues of the romantic story. Although it is classified as one of Shakespeare’s tragedies, I have never been imbued with sadness when appreciating it. I think Shakespeare’s plays can only entertain audience or readers but fail to move them at all, for they’re based on fantacy rather than reality. That may be the reason why the realistic writer Tolstoy negated Shakespeare and his works completely while all the world praised him to the skies. Nevertheless, his brilliance in literary language is praiseworthy after all.  

Death of Chen Zhongshi

A few days ago, Chen, one of the most influential contemporary writers, died at the age of 75. White Deer Plain is his masterpiece. Once interviewed, he said he was the son of a common peasant. He was so depressed that he even decided to end his life after his failure at the college entrance examination during the three－year period of famine. But his father was optimistic and never worried about it. He told his son it was not bad to be among the peasantry, the majority of the Chinese population. He never cherished high hopes on his son. He would be satisfied as long as his son could read and reckon. I that case, his son could not be easily cheated or fooled. Finally the son was convinced to keep a low profile. From then on he did not dare to conceive any unrealistic idea. Later, when he was taken on as temporary teacher at a rural school, he found the life described in the work in the textbook was familiar to him. He thought he could write that sort of work himself as well. Then he began to try his luck by writing. At last he succeeded and accomplished more than a university graduate can reach. The standard he adhered to was not to lie, not to boast, not to talk wildly, except presenting the truth.

Spring night rain

A delicious shower occurred last night as forecast. It is a nice rain for three reasons－it fell after sowing；it was silent without disturbing the people in sleep；it does not affect people’s daily lives. It is so considerate, friendly and helpful just as a virtuous person. There were less snowfalls last winter and it seemed a drought in this spring would be unavoidable. But luckily, it rained several times before plowing. Now it came again when urgently needed. The new grasses, new leaves on the trees are refreshingly clean. This reminded me of my transplanting apricot or peach seedlings from the fields nearby to our yard in my childhood. Such reminiscence is so sweet whenever I recall the happiest days in my life. Is there any period in life that is happier than childhood?

Possible waterlogging

The other day I had ever sighed at the southern flood caused by the lasting rain and felt lucky in the north. Now it’s our turn to be suffered from the same disaster to our surprise. Last night a heavy rain started and continued all day long, unprecedented in such season. The last Friday night rain was good enough for the seeds just sowed to take root. As the weatherman said, “Spring rain is precious as oil；if it’s too much, it’ll worry the people.”Up to this afternoon, puddles of water could be seen between the completely saturated ridges in the fields. Moreover, in the coming three days, it will continue to rain according to the weather forecast. This makes me recall what Confucius said, “Going too far is the same as falling short. ” Obviously, man’s activities have ominously disordered the regularity of climate. He is being punished severely for his destruction of nature.

Hate to be unwelcome

After several days of rainy and overcast weather, this afternoon the sun made its first appearance against the blue sky dotted with dispersed white clouds. With the help of howling wind, I firmly believe the surplus water in the soaked fields will be vaporized quickly. I got relaxed further when I saw the starry night sky on my way to our apartment. I had to take a bus or private cars to work the last two days. This morning as I passed the river to school I saw it rise over its banks, which usually happened in summer. And a new stream came into being at the lower fields which were saturated with or submerged under a large patch of water. I asked leave after school and walked home early. I’m really reluctant to ask any of my colleagues owning cars for a lift. Except in rainy days, I wouldn’t ride their cars. I prefer to cycle or walk as long as the weather permits. I hate to feel myself unwelcome.