Tree growing on cement wall

Tree growing on the cement wall

Text/Lu Renyi

1

When the distant mountains swallow the setting sun, the white clouds change instantly The color is as red as Lao Wang's flushed face.

"I didn't report anything to you just now? I just told the truth that the salary of front-line teachers is too low. I hope that the leaders can understand their difficulties, be considerate of the people, and appropriately improve the teachers' benefits. At this time, How can they live with only more than a thousand yuan a month? Look at how well paid employees in other units are!" Lao Wang was a little frustrated. He didn't expect that what he said from the bottom of his heart would get him. It's the leader's rage.

"If you have the skills, transfer to a unit with good pay!" The voice echoed through the sky.

"I think you are the head of a school and can think about everyone; besides, reporting problems to you is also a sign of trust and respect for you. Why are you so angry?"

Lao Wang couldn't stand his contemptuous eyes and walked out of the office quickly.

Standing at the back of the school, I took a deep breath and slowly calmed down the anger in my heart.

The red clouds in the sky look like tigers, horses, and wolves, running forward one by one. Do you want to bite the head of Yuanshan?

Lao Wang smiled bitterly and walked around the school wall. After a while, it was time for evening self-study again.

On the bluestone courtyard wall, lines of cement follow the irregular stone outlines, depicting irregular shapes. There are large areas and large areas. From a distance, it looks like a large blackboard filled with children's simple drawings. Lao Wang looked at it with interest, eh, not bad, quite creative! He seemed to have forgotten his displeasure.

Suddenly, a tree grew out of the simple painting in front of him, which surprised Lao Wang.

This is a tree that emerged from a crack in the cement. It is short, only one foot high at most. Its roots cannot be seen, and its trunk is as thick as a thumb, pointing straight upward. The top is sparse. A few leaves are in full bloom, trembling slightly in the autumn wind.

Lao Wang gently stroked its roots and sighed: You can survive without a bit of soil or a drop of water! It’s rare!

Two

After evening self-study, Lao Wang dragged his exhausted body back home.

The house is very quiet. The son has already fallen asleep. Yes, it's past ten o'clock, so it's time to go to bed. Originally, Sunday was a good time for him to relax, but in the morning, his mother wanted him to study English and in the afternoon, he wanted to study Mathematical Olympiad. It was not easy to finish the mountain of homework assigned by the teacher on Saturday, and today I rushed to the English and mathematics teacher's house non-stop. Lao Wang looked distressed. Children today, where is their childhood? The banyan tree beside the pond and the cicada’s cry are simply legendary! He wanted to persuade his wife to give the children some free time! Give your children some beautiful memories! Don’t let your child’s memory be as desolate as the wasteland! His wife's words silenced him: In today's China, in a family like ours, if you don't let your children suffer some hardship, will there be a bright future?

Put down the bag and walked into the room. Under the fluorescent lamp, my wife was looking in the mirror, looking left and right. Women are always like this. They like to admire in front of the mirror. They can spend a long time looking at a top or a skirt. Anyway, it's her preference. Lao Wang never said anything. His wife just has this little preference. Having good hobbies is a manifestation of a person's simplicity. It is not easy to be simple in this world, so we cannot attack it.

Lao Wang walked past his wife as usual and leaned on the bed. Tiredness comes like a tidal wave. When he closed his eyes, the principal's contemptuous eyes seemed to be staring at him from the ceiling, making him uncomfortable!

"Husband, how do you like this dress of mine!" came the whisper.

Lao Wang turned over, his back facing outward.

"What's wrong with you? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" The wife was a little worried.

"Nothing!" Lao Wang said lightly.

"I don't believe it. Just by looking at you, I know something is wrong today!" The wife raised her voice.

Lao Wang had no choice. If he didn't talk about it, he might be awakened from his son's sweet dream. So, he relayed the principal's words in a very calm tone.

The wife smiled and said: "Husband, be realistic. Who asked you to poke a hornet's nest? Is this something that the principal can solve? Although our life is not rich, However, being ordinary is the real thing. Don’t always worry about the level of income. Be content! You see, I bought a dress today. It’s only 50 yuan for a seasonal dress. When I wear it, I feel it fits me very well! , Very practical! Who said that wearing high-end clothes can make you feel practical?" His wife's words woke up Lao Wang. He did not expect that his wife would be so open-minded, and Lao Wang felt inferior to her. He sat up and looked at his wife's skirt. It fit really well, as if it was tailor-made for her. Looking at the black and white patterned skirt, Lao Wang somehow suddenly thought of the tree on the cement wall. Didn't the sparse leaves also set off the strong life?

Three

At dawn, Lao Wang walked into the campus as usual. The cool wind blows in your face, and the coolness makes you feel comfortable. Lao Wang was in a hurry because he was about to start his early self-study.

"Good morning, Lao Wang!" "Hello, teacher!" greetings came one after another, and teachers and students passed by Lao Wang one after another. Lao Wang looked at them, all of them were hunched over, like trees standing on a cement wall, and they couldn't cheer up.

"Students," Lao Wang walked into the classroom, "this morning, everyone will turn the book to page 108, read the article "The Old Man and the Tree" carefully, and answer the questions after twenty minutes!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of reading rang out.

Lao Wang was walking casually in the aisles, taking a look at the students' reading status. The students in the first few rows were studying particularly hard, especially the boy who was close to the podium. The clear childish voice could be heard far and wide. Seeing the teacher approaching, the students in the two rows behind lazily raised their heads lying on the table and propped their chins with their right hands. Their eyes were obviously sleepy, and they also started reading hummingly. The sound was very small, I don't know if it came from the mouth or the nose.

Lao Wang smiled and left quickly. Why not give him a chance to catch up on his sleep, so that he can be more energetic in class. Therefore, Lao Wang deliberately prevented his eyes from slipping to that corner.

Twenty minutes are up. The sound of reading gradually became quieter. Lao Wang asked everyone to stop and asked: "What do you think after reading this article? Let's talk about it freely!" Asking questions is a good way to boost the students' spirits.

Most of the students could understand the main idea of ??the article and lamented the tenacity of the little tree's vitality and lamented that it was rare for the old man to remain unyielding after a series of blows.

Just when Lao Wang nodded and smiled, a fat boy on the right raised his hand and said, "Teacher, I think that after the old man removed the small tree, it no longer grows on the bricks. Maybe If it grows in fertile soil, its life will definitely be better!"

Lao Wang did not expect that he would come up with this idea. This was not the original intention of the article, but it was very creative! He praised the student and waved him to sit down. Yes, what will happen if the trees on the cement wall are planted in the soil?

Four

"Hey, old classmate, guess who I am?"

After the third class in the afternoon, Lao Wang didn't have time to take a breath. The inexplicable phone calls made him uneasy.

"We were separated for only a few years and you forgot?" The urgent tone on the other end of the phone still left Monk Lao Wang Ruzhang scratching his head.

"I'm Xiao Wu, I'm at the restaurant outside your school, come and get together."

It turns out to be Xiao Wu! I remember that after the school for his factory children was withdrawn, it seemed as if the world had disappeared and there was no news about it. Some students said that he went into business; others said that he went to teach along the coast. Today, I came back suddenly, somewhat unexpectedly.

The quaint private room is a bit reminiscent of memories. The red brick walls and bamboo chairs are real and warm.

Xiao Wu, who was wearing a suit and leather tie, hugged Lao Wang and said, "I found you!" His voice was a little choked. This kind of excitement may have been absent for too long. Lao Wang was a little uncomfortable and seemed numb.

Sit down and drink. Xiao Wu was still bold, and after drinking a large glass of fine-covered "Happy Reunion", he started talking more. He said that he was lucky to have moved to Shenzhen. Although he still taught, one year of working there would take him ten years in the mainland! In a few years, he bought a house and a car, and his life became more comfortable. He thought of his old classmates and wondered what happened to them! This year is a rare National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, so when I came back, I wanted to at least talk to Lao Wang, his best buddy.

He asked about Lao Wang's situation, and Lao Wang didn't know what to say. He just said that it was okay and he could live his life.

After a long while, Xiao Wu said, "Now is not the time to recruit teachers. Otherwise, give me a call during the winter vacation and come to Shenzhen! I will help you find a job. Don't wrong yourself like this." He handed it to the teacher. Wang gave a business card and said, "Call me when you have time."

It was sunset again when Xiao Wu was sent away. Unknowingly, Lao Wang walked to the small tree. The autumn wind is strong, but only two or three leaves are still standing stubbornly above the head. The dark tree roots were firmly drilled into the cement.

Leave? How to go! A single move affects the whole body! I am no longer the simple little king I used to be!

He looked at this small tree carefully and saw how little sunlight, rain and dew water nature had given it. However, it still stood on the wall, smiling at the sunset! Perhaps, this is its responsibility!

Responsibility? responsibility! Lao Wang smiled.

Behind you, the setting sun is like blood, the setting sun is like blood!