The Fable of the Chamber Pot

If I remember correctly, that year, I was eighteen years old, a college student and a literature lover.

At that time, my blood was still warm, so the school Youth League Committee used the internship period to organize personnel to provide voluntary teaching in poor primary schools. I did not hesitate at all and signed up.

Obligation means that you have to pay for the round trip fare, self-service meals and accommodation, and you have to buy some decent small gifts for the teaching partners, wishing us a long-lasting friendship and so on... When I was in school , I am a frugal child. Every time my parents give me living expenses, I always save money. Unlike other classmates, the days when the "big unity" can feel the thickness are basically shorter than underwear. Therefore, this charity activity finally There were only a few students who made it.

The car drove on the mountain road for about two days. The excitement of "going to the countryside and embracing nature" was long gone by the bumps. Several "comrades" vomited violently and fell asleep halfway. I gave up, so the only two people who actually reached the destination were me and the Secretary of the Youth League Committee.

According to the natural law of "rare things are valuable", I stood upright at the head of the village, solemnly waiting for the warm welcome of the whole village, old and young, or the teachers and students of the school... As a result, after half a day, only Waiting for a bearded old man with a shabby coat under his arm, he waved his hand at us from a distance: This way!

The secretary smiled awkwardly and introduced: The school janitor, you, Uncle Wang...

I turned my head and spit out a mouthful of mud: Your uncle!

The principal’s smile was pretty bright, and with his mottled white hair, most of my resentment began to dissipate. While I took over half a tea jar of hot water, I got a general understanding from his mouth. , in this school, there are more than 30 students per day, and most of the parents have gone out to work. Due to salary issues, the teaching staff is a bit weak... Later, after I got to know more about it, I realized, Mom, this school The school's teaching staff can't really be called "a little weak" - there is only one class in the whole school, and there is only one teacher in the whole class, and this teacher is also the principal!

The principal also took advantage of his position to get two lucrative jobs for his father, as a gatekeeper and ringing the bell for get out of class - salary? Oh, yes, two portions are returned. The feces in the school toilets can be taken to your own land to grow crops. One portion is counted in the men's restroom and one portion is counted in the women's restroom.

The first class is writing, the composition title is "My Ideal".

At first, I was really embarrassed to be stared at by more than 30 pairs of little eyes full of expectation, curiosity, and admiration. Fortunately, the local leaders sitting around the classroom wall listening to the class, Everyone had a cheerful face and was amiable, which gradually calmed my mood.

I looked at the roster and asked the students to talk about their ideals in order. Like all children educated in China, most of the ideals of these poor boys were attractive. When the speech was basically over , a large number of generals, writers, scientists, astronauts and even national presidents and other pillars have emerged in the audience.

My eyes finally fell on a name called "Luoliang". He was ranked last - roster rankings are mostly linked to academic performance. I believe Luoliang's performance must be extremely disappointing. I am optimistic, and the principal also reminded me before class that today, in front of the leaders, it is best not to ask questions about this boy named Luo Liang. Since his parents died in a car accident, he has lived with his blind grandma. He has suffered from low self-esteem for many years. This resulted in his withdrawn character and never communicated with his classmates. The last time the voluntary medical team from the province went to the countryside diagnosed him and said that this child had signs of autism.

I raised my head and saw Luo Liang, a quiet and a bit shy little boy in the corner.

I avoided the principal's anxious eyes, looked at the little guy tenderly, and then shouted in an almost flattering and humble tone: "Classmate Luo Liang!"

Luo Liang was frightened, his shoulders trembled, and the eyes of the whole room suddenly flooded over.

After a long time, the young man stood up tremblingly, his head lowered all the time, his eyes looking at his hands, holding the corners of his clothes, which had already been rubbed until they were shiny and black by the little master's signature move. It's bright.

I continued in a creamy tone: Luo Liang, be brave, raise your head, and tell me, what do you want to do when you grow up?

In full view of the public, the child's chest rose and fell violently, as if he had mustered up great courage. He finally raised his eyelids, glanced at me quickly, and then lowered his head to be infatuated with his shiny clothes and clothes. Black and thin paws.

I persisted with a smile on my face, and sincerely encouraged my little disciple who was not worried: "Classmate Luo Liang, think about it, for the sake of your grandma, when Classmate Luo Liang grows up, he wants to What to do?

When the child heard grandma’s words, he stared at me again, with a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes... Like a fisherman, I suddenly felt the fishing rod in my hand sinking violently, and in my heart, Almost overjoyed.

I slowly walked down the podium, walked to Luo Liang, and gently touched the child's shoulder with one hand: Luo Liang is a good and filial child who must have his own ideals. Say it and let everyone listen, okay?

The little guy raised his head and stared at me for a longer time this time. I was also delighted to find a deep dependence and a trace of confidence in his eyes.

Luo Liang began to murmur in a low voice. I encouraged him to speak louder and said it again. As expected, he delivered the next words word for word into the ears of everyone present: I have a long voice. When it gets bigger, it will turn into a chamber pot.

The scene was silent for a few seconds, and then the roar of laughter almost shook the rafters!

I was the only person at the scene who could not hold back laughter except for the person involved, but I still asked in confusion: Luo Liang, do you know what a chamber pot is?

The other students immediately responded in unison: Urine can!

Before I could stop another round of laughter, Luo Liang suddenly defended loudly: No, the chamber pot is more upscale than the urine pot!

The whole class burst into laughter again!

In the following time, I did not put much effort into "popularizing the knowledge of urinal science". I still asked everyone to complete their respective exercises step by step, including Luo Liang who insisted on changing. Chamber pot, I didn’t interfere too much, but when I saw the lingering ridicule on the leaders’ faces, I felt a little ashamed of the principal’s good intentions.

After class, I was correcting the students' homework, and there was a sound outside the door: report.

When I heard the mosquitoes chirping, I knew it was Luoliang. I couldn’t help but twitch the corners of my mouth and deliberately shouted: Come in!

Like a frightened little white mouse, Luo Liang walked up to me and handed me the article "I Want to Be a Chamber Pot" in his hand: Teacher...the essay...is finished...

I endured the laughter for more than half an hour, finally grinned, patted his head, and asked: Boy, tell me, why do you want to be a chamber pot when you grow up?

I guess it was my brother who finally made the little guy temporarily forget about the tense relationship between teacher and student.

Luo Liang began to explain in a tone that no longer stuttered: Throughout the winter, grandma had a urine jar in front of her kang. Unfortunately, it was crushed when I got off the kang not long ago. , the family has no extra money and cannot afford a new urine can. Now, grandma, every night, she has to go to the yard in the dark, several times, and the weather is cold... I heard that there is a high-end urine can in the city. , called a chamber pot, so I wanted to turn myself into a chamber pot...

The child finally sniffed and looked at me with tearful eyes, full of sorrow: Teacher, I It’s true, I want to turn it into grandma’s chamber pot...

Before leaving the village, I used all my savings to ask my classmates in the city to send me an exquisite chamber pot.

Three days before receiving the chamber pot, Luoliang's grandma had already contracted severe pneumonia. It was said that she would pass away at the beginning of spring the next year.

Later, Luoliang, like the chamber pot, was no longer heard from...

Things have passed for more than twenty years. I have been doing business all the way, and I have long been used to it. Pushing the cup and putting it in the cup, he spends money like water, and every time he talks about his original determination to "go to the countryside to support education" and "make money to help the poor", he will definitely arouse the laughter of the whole house.

However, I still occasionally think of that chamber pot and Luoliang - and every time I think of it, my heart feels heavy and painful, as if I am wearing a heavy shackle.

It is estimated that it will not be opened until death.