story 东华大学 杨丹 新东方

For A Better Day

Arthur’s life is a narrow room, waiting to be lightened by a magic wand. But up to now, he is accustomed to the confining and static school life in the remote village, which from one angle is not a bad thing. Gut, on the other hand, runs every day in the open air, to the brook, to the plain, where the nature endows him all talents. However, the seemingly freedom traps him when fences are brought to the not-so-green meadow. He is frightened but has nowhere to hide. Different as they are, ----in living conditions, in individual traits ----they have much in common.

On July 10th, 2009, the second day of our arrival at Arthur’s village, we commenced the well-scheduled research and teaching program. The primary school my teammates contacted before our official start was the core education institution in the town; as a result, the students there were out of question of higher quality. Indeed, from the equipment installed in the classrooms, it was not hard to figure out this fact objectively. After our introduction, we received a hearty welcome by both students and their parents. Among the around-10-year-old boys and girls stood Arthur, an introvert but eloquent young gentleman if required.

“All my little friends,” I asked, “what do you know about the Przewalskit Gazelle?”

“They are our friends and they are lovely animals.” One boy said immediately.

Others became active. “Yes, and they live on the steppe to look for food. But sometimes, they go up to the hilly areas.” Another girl added, approved by several voices.

“Great!” I responded, “So you’ve got bunch of knowledge about them, right? But except taking the risk to climb the slip hill, do you know other features of this animal? The most unique and conspicuous ones?” I was wondering if I had pushe d too many questions to these cute primary school students. It must be my fault if they were not interested in the knowledge and lessons.

There was a murmur of discussion amidst them but no answer.

Right at the moment when I decided to give them the answer, a boy started his statement as follows: “They are acute to possible enemies thanks to their ears and noses as well as their way of living and they run very fast, which helps them avoid being caught by ferocious wolves, especially in summer.” Not even before he finished his short speech, I was already astonished at his extensive knowledge about this mammal.

Though this particular species is in desperate danger with a total population of only about 600 worldwide, far less than the Tibetan Antelope, and has been recorded years ago on the endangered list, the major factitious threat----the thorny steel fences----has not been reported frequently so as to raise sufficient public concern, let alone its profiles or other facts. Local farmers and herders are n ot to blame. It is the government’s responsibility to take effective measures and to permeate the mentality of maintaining the variety of animal species. Education without doubt is the first and presumably the most crucial step one nation as a people can take.