Heroes of China

Huang Shan, one of the sacred mountains in south-eastern China Image from: http://www.holycross.edu/departments/political_science/lcass/china-photos/pages/china-13.htm

Bonnie from Yanji wrote about her favorite teacher...

In my short life there are many people who are worth recalling. But perhaps the most unforgettable person is my English teacher, Han Jie. She is my hero.

After I graduated from primary school, my parents sent me to a good junior high school, which is far away from my home. In this new environment I was homesick. I couldn't pay full attention to my studies, I was discouraged. During that time, my teacher noticed me. She helped me with my studies and encouraged me. Gradually, I caught up with my classmates. Thanks to her help, I finally passed the entrance exam.

Maybe such things are commom, but to a little girl who studied far away from home, it was exceptional. Because of Han Jie, I chose to major in English. I hope one day I can become a teacher like her.

Maple from Yanji wrote about her father, whom she is so proud of...

Deep in my heart, a real hero is my father.

In 1983, there was a big fire in the Da Xin An Ling Mountains, which are in the northeast of China. My father, as a soldier, was sent to the scene of the fire.

After two months, he came home. He was awarded a medal because of his bravery. My mother and I are very proud of my father. The medal is still in the bookcase. Whenever I see it, I think of my father--a real hero!

Shirley from Jilin wrote about her beloved mother...

She taught me how become a kind, brave girl, how to become an independent girl, and how to become a confident girl, because she herself is a brave and confident woman. I can feel it in my heart.

I want tell you a story. When I was 6 years old, I could have been adopted by a rich childless family because my family was so poor that they could not afford to raise me. My grandmother tried to persuade my mum to put me up for adoption because she thought that finding a rich family for me would be good for everyone, and my mum at least had my elder sister. But my mum rejected the idea. She cried and said to my grandmother, "No matter what happens, I will raise my daughter myself, please believe me!" My grandmother finally accepted her decision.

Of course, I couldn't remember what happened. I heard it from my grandmother. Perhaps it is called a mother's love. I think keeping me is the best present my mum ever gave me! Isn't that a hero -- a mum who let her two daughters grow up happily and healthy under her protection?

Tina from Yanji wrote about her father, her hero...

Working in the government requires my father to work from dawn until dark. We little children seldom see him. His work is to deal with the whole country's finances and farming. I always hear about some great problems solved by my father, and he is praised by all the people in the neighbourhood.

In fact, my father is disabled. There is something wrong with his right hand, but his left hand can do almost everything as well as most people do with both of their hands, even better. As a government offical, he has particular sympathy for poor people. He always tries his best to help them solve big problems, even those that could effect his own benefits. In other words, he devotes his whole heart to improving living standards for the poor people. Full of creative ideas, he has made great progress in this noble work. All the people here appreciate my father very much.

He is happy and never tires of his long days at work, which has had a bad effect on his originally strong body. He is always full of energy and high spirit. I love my father. I love this small "hero."