Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Written by Belinda

Whatever you do, wherever you live, you are losing our sharing paradise of pleasing environment, whether you like it or not, whether you know it or not.

I always cherish the marvelous countryside in which I spent my tenth birthday wonderfully in a sunny day. We saw an azure sky high above and heard pigeons whirring under it. Facing the east we counted the rays of sunlight flitting through the leaves of trees. Sitting on the grass under it, smelling the fresh scent of nameless flowers, I could not help to dancing to the birthday songs my fellows sang for me. 200 miles away, peasants were sowing seeds contently. Swaths of cranes flew swiftly toward the other side of a deep shimmering stream. After enjoying the birthday cake and some packed dishes, we cleared up the rubbish of the picnic, Immediately ensued the pleasure of walking through a peach grove. For hundreds of paces along both banks of the stream. The peach trees were in full bloom with on other trees to be seem in the whole grove. You were as if in a paradise full of fragrant flowers and dancing butterflies, in which the soft grass looked fresh and beautiful and falling blossoms were dancing in a thousand hues

Out of the peach grove we encountered the puffing of chimney smoke in the air as well as the blending of friendly crowing and barking. The village was crisscrossed with paths between the fields.

What a harmonious picture! While, it seems as if beautiful things could not last long. With quick development of industry, the living standard of people in the countryside has improved a lot, while the precious peace and quietness have been destroyed seriously. To my surprise, the straight vertical lines of the tall modern buildings at present take place of former small farm houses; Dark smoke conceal the countryside from high profit factories out of leisure peach grove. Many reservoirs with dark water were made out of clear screams. Workers hurry up with serious look…we could not see the fields crisscrossed with paths, not to mention hearing the blending of content laughter. Instead the fussing noises from busy railways and roads .

We could not wait to finish our second visit for out paradise lost. We reflect that throughout history, man has changed his physical environment in order to improve this way of life, while we do not cherish the peaceful life which is healthy and suitable for our human beings .

Do we realize that our society highly flourish at the dear cost of the happiness for the whole generations?

The Shelter Around My Home

The Shelter Around My Home
Written by Amy

When I was about six years’ old, our family moved into a new house which was designed by my father. The house—two stories high—was the most beautiful building I had ever seen.

While we were enjoying the happy time, some troubles came upon us—as summer came, our house was as hot as an oven. At the same time, we couldn’t afford an air condition. I told my father that if we stuff up the previous doors and windows with some bricks, and then dig some new at the back side of our house, that would get us out of the trouble for the reason that the sunshine at the north wall is not as strong as south. As far as my father was concerned, he would rather plant some trees around our house. Having discussed this affair couples of times, we shoes the latter, for it was more feasible.

In the third year after we moved in our new house, it was surrounded by green shelter which keep us from the scorching day. The day in the beginning of summer was the most palatable in that thousands of heart-shaped green leaves were dancing in breeze and glistering on the sunshine. To our surprise, troubles arose again. The more flourishing our trees grew, the more pests there were. My father sprayed them with pesticide, which solved our problems to some degree.

As one or two years later passed by, the trees were about four stories high. Unfortunately, the pests were so rampant that strong pesticide could hardly kill them. Moreover, the trees were too tall to be sprayed with pesticide. So, we bought some solid pesticides and buried them near the roots of our trees, while, there were no effect. The leaves were almost eaten off by the thousands of small evil criminals. I can still remember the vein web of leaves which were dotted with caterpillars. By the way, I am afraid of insects (especially that is full of hair). One day, when I went to my house, I felt there was something soft on my neck. Turning my eyes on it, I felt my hair was standing on end. It was a caterpillar!! I flipped it away and dashed for my room, screaming. From then on, my sister and I always feared to go in and out of our house. As the situation became more and more serious, my father determined to cut all trees down. We all knew it was a tough sell for these trees meant so much to our family. Nevertheless, dad cut them down finally.

We have our air condition now, while, I often miss our green shelter with great yearning.

Personal Narrative

Personal Narrative
Written by Star

One winter, it was very warm and there was no wind everyday, so it was called warm winter, because of which there was a very serious drought. There was no rain or snow during 3 to 4 months. It was terrible if there would be still no rain sand it would be a disaster. The crops could not grow and there would be no water to drink and no food to eat which would cause the price of goods rise step by step and finally destroy our county’s economy.

Certainly our village also suffered a lot, we need to fetch water far from our home and had to water the crops using the water in the river, so the level of water in the river became lower and lower. Everyone in my hometown became upset and did not know what to do and how to solve it.

At that time I was at home at my winter vocation. One day on my way to my grandmother’s house, I found that there was a table in the center of the road and it was filled with fish, watermelon, and bread and so on. Around the table there were also several old women. I was very curious and wanted to know what they were doing. So I stopped to watch on one side of the road. After a while the old women began to kneel together and said something slightly which I couldn’t hear clearly. Then they stood up and started to burn some paper money and put the food into the fire. During that time several cars came, but the old women didn’t allow them to pass, so the traffic was very heavy and it was out of order. Many people were standing there watching the old women’s action.

I continued my walking, when I went to visit my grandmother, she said that the old women thought everything was planned by fairies. It was because of human being did something bad and we should be punished that there is a drought. So these old women prepared some delicious food to fairies to ask for forgive.

When I went home and told my mother what has happened, she just smiled and told me that when I was a kid, I also had done the same thing. At that time there were many children and we went to the front of our neighbor’s houses and sang the same song which asks for rain. Heard of this I was very surprised and ashamed, but I couldn’t remember anything.

I feel somewhat ridiculous and surprised, because it is so strange. Today it is a new society and science can even solve any problem. Even though there is no rain during 3 months, the government will take some action to help us. What those old women did is nothing useful.

Voice Regain

Voice Regain
Written by Spring

It was 2004. I return to my hometown after the college entrance examination. It was the first time for me to see my hometown since I had left at the age of 12. Seeing beautiful tall buildings standing here and there, I was that excited. It was self-evident that a great change had happened and people’s life was far better than before. I had thought that everything was the same except this.

But when the dark fell down, I found that I was completely wrong. The familiar voice of my favorite frog’s lowered a lot. At the same time, I noticed several beams of flashlight moving as if some people were looking for their lost treasure on the ridge of the furrowed field. Forced by my curiosity, I went forward. The nearer I got to them, the clearer the voice of frogs was. At last, I was taken aback at the bags which were in those people’s hands. Because it was there that my lovely frogs’ voice was from.

“Why are you catching frogs?” I questioned.

“Of course, for money!”

“Frog is a wonderful dish in many hotels and common people don’t have the honor to taste it.”

“Please look around! All these we have today should due to frogs.”

“Frog is everything. The more frogs we catch, the more wealth we can accumulate…”

I was startled at hearing that. Many questions came crowding upon my recollection. I didn’t know why people dared to eat frogs, why human beings were so cruel that they caught frogs; why they didn’t consider the price they would pay for what they were doing…

The next day, I told my mother about those people’s action. I had thought that my mother would be on my side, so that we could work together to stop such activities. On the contrary, she ordered me, “Don’t poke your nose into other’s things.” I couldn’t understand. As far as I was concerned, to protect environment is everyone’s duty. Neglecting my mother’s objection, I made up my mind to carry out my project.

From that day on, I went out early in the morning and did not return hone until late in the afternoon, going door to door to do persuasion. Several days passed. I was exhausted, but few people were willing to accept my persuasion. To be frank, I was a little bit frustrated and disappointed.

At that time, one of my old friends paid me a visit. I told him about my thoughts. He said, “If the frogs couldn’t be sold, the situation would be better.” His words reminded me of turning to the government for help. Without a minute delayed, we came to a relevant department, telling them about the whole story. The government immediately promised to help us and they forbade the action of catching frogs. At the same time, considering people to feed bull frogs for sale. With the help of government, the action of those people was stopped efficiently.

Now, three years has passed, but at the thought of that experience, I still feel proud. Because frogs’ voice is louder again and everything is the same in my hometown besides that it’s getting more and more rich and beautiful.

A Thankless Job

A Thankless Job
Written by Cicely

During the second semester of the first term in college I was the assistant president of the Greenlife Association which concerns environmental issues. And I had made a meaningful plan about collecting used batteries through out the college. On my plan I put forward that we must find a supporter who can provide the financial aid then strived for college leaders’ approval and requested them to supply a useless room for us to store the used batteries——I had found there were many useless room in our college. In my opinion, that was a wonderful idea, but few persons stood by me when I handed in my plan for discuss in the meeting. Another object passed in the meeting and I failed at an end.

After meeting, the president comforted me and analyzed the situation for me that in China most companies and enterprises prefer to spend their money on making more money than to the environmental issue or public affairs. No one wants to do a hardworking but thankless job. The second problem is that there were no place to deal with the used batteries in China, and the college would not agree to let the batteries stay in forever.

I did not lose heart ad decided to do the job alone. My dorm as the base, there is a notice pasted on my outside door and a cardboard box for containing the used batteries fro anyone who passes through my dorm. Then I just waited. First day, the box was empty and it last to the second day. Sometimes I could hear the whispers from the outside when I was in the dorm. They just left various suspicious rather than batteries in y box, such comment as strange, for money, for fun, etc. What is worse, the dorm manageress tore down my notice and threw my box into the trash can.

I do not hate her. After all she is a responsible person. Every mid-noon and mid-night she would sweep the passageway and clean up the garbage heap for us. May be she just made a mistake that the box was a prank.

I found back my box from the waste basket which was just near my dorm and easy to see, then settles it in the same place. Returned to dorm I complained to my dorm-mates about that thing happened while they thought my box a stupid because they embarrassed by it when they went out. I felt helpless.

In the third day afternoon, surprisingly, I found a bag of used batteries in my cardboard box as well as a letter. It just told me be careful the radiation. Together with the more than 100 batteries I carried from home there were more than 200. That made me happy at the beginning then let me down for I realized that my dorm-mates would become annoyed if I did not throw the box. Another thing was that I really have no idea to deal with the used batteries. I began to believe what they had told me: Do not try to do a hardship job without any result.

My cardboard box was thrown away again and the manageress warned me stop impeding her job otherwise the leaders will be unhappy to see the box when they came to inspect. I chose non-conditional surrender and liberated them.

The Lesson My Mother Gave Me

The Lesson My Mother Gave Me
Written by Gouli

I was born in Lingjiu, Yingshan, a small village lying in the southeast of China. Both my father and my mother are peasants. Like many peasants, my parents are very kind-hearted and diligent. Although my family is not very rich, it is always filled with laughter and happiness. I am the only girl in my family and my parents often said I was the angel God giving to them, but that doesn’t mean I can get any privileges.

One day, my good friend LiHui wore a new beautiful bag, in the shape of a rabbit, to school. Deeply attracted, I decided immediately that I would have one, so I exchanged my thoughts with my mother who was busy cooking when I got home.

“Mum, I want to have a bag.” I said.

“A bag? I remember that you have already had one.” My mother looked very surprised.

“But my bag is not beautiful enough. What’s more, it is too old. I want to have a new one, the same as my friend LiHui’s.” I argued.

“My dear little girl, you should know that our family is not very rich. The most important is that I think you are old enough to know how to spell ‘thrifty’.” My mother said in a gentle voice.

“I do know! But…” Lowering my head, I didn’t know how to tell my dear mum my feelings, tears filling in my eyes.

My mother looked at me silently and thought for a while. At last, she said, “Don’t cry, baby. If you do want to own one, I can buy one for you.”

“Really? Thank you, mum.” I embraced my mother happily.

“Ok, ok, don’t be too happy. I have something to say that you must earn the money by yourself.”

“Earn by myself? Oh, mum, you know…”

“Yes. I know that you can do it. You can pick up the waste bottles or something like that and sell them. What’s more, it can improve our environment to some degree,” my mother interrupted, and now you can choose picking up the bottles or giving up the bag. It’s all up to you.”

“Ok.” I answered.

From that day on, I began to pick up waste in my free time. At the very beginning, I was very excited and did my job happily. However, I became impatient gradually and complained, “Why do the people throw waste everywhere instead of putting it into the trash can, or I can do my job more easily and the environment will be more beautiful and tidy.”

One day, I could not help telling my mother all my complaints. I still remember clearly my mother’s words until now.

“Lily, you must take this in your mind that: no pains, no gains. No one can succeed without efforts. The aim of my asking you to earn the money by yourself is to make you know what the word ‘diligent’ means, so that you will cherish what you gained and learnt to be thrifty. What’s more, I hope you can realize your duty of protecting the environment. Our environment becomes more and more terrible. Maybe you cannot decide what other people do, but you can decide what you do. Sometimes, a trivial thing can reflect one’s inner world.”

“I know, mum.” I said.

In fact, I was not quite sure the meaning of my mother’s words at that moment. I just felt there was a strong power in my mind, but I could not tell what it was. I sat in the yard all afternoon, a few birds singing swiftly in the bamboo.
Now, my story comes to the end. You may ask whether I got the new bag at last. The fact is that I earned enough money but I didn’t buy the bag. I think there is no need for me telling the reason, because I believe that the reason is already in your mind.

Business Letter

Business Letter
Written by Ruyer

English Department of Neijiang Teachers’ College
Neijiang City, Sichuan province

May 1, 2007

American NGO office of Chengdu
Chengdu City, Sichuan Province

Dear NGO,

I am a student in the English Department of Neijiang Teachers’ College. Since the green area is decreasing day by day in Neijiang City, and environmental problems become more and more serious, I hope you can give help to this city.

The environmental problem is caused by two main factors. The first one is from local people, second one come from the local government.

One factor is from most people. At the first point people are not conscious to re-plant trees after cutting them down, are un-conscious of protecting the green area. Some people often make use of the wood or grass as the fire, or design some simple furniture used in houses. Secondly, most people do not learn about the law of forestry. They do not think that it is illegal to destroy green area. So, of course, they will not protect the green area. If you ask some people whether they know it is illegal, they must answer like this: “This area belongs to me, why could I not cut and use these trees? It is my right.” Thirdly, people have not recognized how important the green area is and how serious the results are once the green area is seriously destroyed. They think they just cut several trees, it never cause the environmental problems. So they never consider the result after cutting trees.

Another factor is from the local government. Since the government does not effectively advertise the knowledge about the law of forestry but encourages people to protect the green area, preventing the area from decreasing. So that it is a reason that people do not keep the idea in their mind. Meanwhile, the government does not encourage people to plant trees more. In many town of Neijiang City, if you wonder that the green flashes into your eyes, it is very difficult. There is only red soil on the surface of the hills. What is worse, the government officers often accept some gifts from some people who want to illegally cut trees on a rather large scale as themselves benefits.

Due to these main causes, it is reasonable for the green area to decrease. But we should never make the environmental problem continue, otherwise, the result is quite awful. Such as, it could cause the temperature go up as the green area decreases. If the temperature is higher and higher, people and animals would never live a long time on the earth. Of course, it will make the soil lose more seriously, so that the region will suffer a serious flood in rain seasons, consequently, the grain will drop in production. Eventually, the peasants would not be able to live here. At same time, the green-house has already been serious in the world, that the green area is decreasing is easier to strength the effect of the green-house.

From the above points, we can see that the environmental problem must be solved at once. The solution is a key.

Here, I think these ways can have an effect on the problem. First, people should build the consciousness of protecting environment and replant trees after cutting. The way’s performing needs government’s guidance and help to advertise the law. Second, some departments of the government must severely punish those officers who accepted the gifts from the people, and also punish the people who sent the gifts and illegally cut trees. Third, the government should effectively advocate people to enlarge the green area. But all of ways are not easy to perform in this city, and these ways are not better, your help is very necessary and a key point. Neijiang people need your help, there the environment needs your help.

Thank your time and consideration.

Sincerely yours,
Ruyer
Student
English Department of Neijiang Teachers’ College

A Journey to Mt. Emei

A Journey to Mt. Emei
Written by Ellen

Mt. Emei, the world natural and cultural heritage, lies in Leshan city, Sichuan province. In Mt. Emei, there are four scenic regions: Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion and Golden summit. Its main peak, the Golden summit, is an elevation of 3,099 meters. During the Spring Festival, I got a chance to visit Mt. Emei with my friend. I would like to share my experience with you.

It was sunny when we got to the foot of Mt. Emei. Considering all the conditions, we decided to follow the two-day line, that is, Baoguo Temple—Golden Summit—Wannian Temple—Qingyin Pavilion—go back. We got everything prepared and would set off early the next morning.

The next day, we got up at 4:30. Having taken a bus to Leidongping (in the middle of mountain), we started to climb to the Golden Summit.

Oh, it was a snowy world. How excited we were! Being covered with snow, the road was dressed in new white clothes. We wore straw sandals in case the road would be slippery. It took us about 2 hours to reach the Golden Summit. To my surprise, it was seemingly up to the sky. A tour guide told us that Golden Summit got its name from a bronze house which was there. “Here it is,” my friend said to me. “Oh, yes, it is.” Here the weather is cold all year round, but the scenery is wonderful. The four great spectacles of Golden Summit are sunrise, cloud sea, Buddha rays and saint lamps. It was a pity that we just saw the cloud sea. Due to different weather and conditions, the other three are varied.

The second day at about 11:10, we arrived at Wannian Temple, lying in the middle of the mountain, which was the famous historical relics. Through the road line, we visited Qingyin Pavilion, with green hills and blue water around it. There was one stone bridge crossing on the Black Dragon River (the color of the water was dark green, which I had never seen it before) and the White Dragon River (the color of the water is ivory). Then, we went straight to the Monkey area. On the way to it, we enjoyed the pleasant scenery. After half an hour, we got to the Monkey area. How many monkeys there are! We felt excited when we got close to them. I took many photos with lovely monkeys.

At about 5 o'clock, we went back to Baoguo Temple, which was the site of flourishing Buddhist activities. In front of the temple gate there was a pair of stone lions carved in the Ming Dynasty. They were lively, grand and mighty. You can enjoy the renowned ancient buildings and precious Buddhist cultural relics. Well, a large engraved stone slab hangs above the gate with the name of the temple on it which was written by the Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

Although we were tired, we felt pleased. “Goodbye, Mt.Emei. I will return to see you again,” I said to myself. It was high time that we should go back home.

The Water-Tap in Our House

The Water-Tap in Our House
Written by Nancy

Since I was very little, there was a special water-tap in our house. When and how it stayed there, I didn't know. I found it just by accident when I saw Mom washing by the water from it. At that moment, I was confused by the fact that there was no other water-tap in our house except in the kitchen. "Where is it coming from?" I thought in my mind, "Maybe I can find some special thing." At last, I found the water-tap which was in the next room next to the kitchen, and was surrounded by some bricks. It was that strange, why should it be hidden there? I wanted to know the reason, but I dared not to ask Mom. That was what most Chinese children did, and I was one of them. I found the reason by myself, that was, there was a water meter before the water-tap. That meant that the water that came from the water-tap would not go through the water meter, so the water needn't to paid for. That was the reason for the water-tap's existence.

Later on, I grew older and learnt a terrible thing that the water-tap violated the law. If it had been found, my parents would have been sent to prison. At that time, that was my knowledge and I was so frightened. As before, I dared not to tell my parents about my fear. The only thing I could do was to protect the water-tap from being found.

Later, I knew that if the water-tap had been found, my parents would be fined 2,000 yuan ($250) for it, but that was a big number to my family and money was a big problem to my family all the time. As time passed, the water-tap became a part of our house.

Things did not always go on smoothly. Because of the water-tap, I got angry at my parents, and that was the only time I said such words to them. One day, I found the water-tap was out of order, and I couldn't stop it. As I saw the water running from it so quickly, I worried about it and felt guilty. I asked Mom to do something about it, but Mom said that the switch of the water pipe was out of our house, which was deep under-ground and covered by some sand. Several days passed, I talked to Mom several times, but got no effect. The feeling of guilt grew stronger in my heart, because the water was wasted, because the water was limited in our country, in our world. At last, I couldn't stand it anymore, and said to Mom angrily, "You needn't pay for it, so you can use it as you like!" After those words out of my mouth, I felt regretful immediately, because they were too much for my Mom to bear, and I have never said such words to her before. Mom didn't give me words as response but actions. Dad and Mom repaired the water-tap. When they came back home, I saw the sweat was still on their faces.

Walk Forward

Walk Forward
Written by Carl Ghost

What a blazing hot day! All trees and grass in the prime of the life had lost their vitality, leaning on each other and with their heads drooping, still. In such a breathless noon, few people went out, but a couple of lovers were walking forward along the road. Although cool drinks and wonderful shade were available from many kiosks, shops, and coffee houses on their left and the cool river was flowing happily on their right, they ignored all these. The man was holding an umbrella while the woman was holding his elbow. “However scorching, it will pass,” the man said. They did not stop and kept walking forward.

Violently, wild wind came. It blew the dust on the ground into the sky. It seemed to conquer everything. All trees and grass were waving involuntarily. But the couple of lovers did not stop yet. They gripped each other’s hand. “However fierce, it will stop,” the man said. Though hardly and slowly, they were still walking forward.

In the sky, lightning flashed, thunder rolled, dark clouds became lower and lower. Suddenly, dogs and cats dropped down. All the trees and grass seemed to have yielded to the violent storm. But the couple of lovers held the umbrella together, encouraging each other, “However violent, it will be over…Never give up.” Though their clothes had gotten totally drenched, they were still walking forward.
They never stopped, but just kept moving forward. They believed all hardships were short-lived. No matter how scorching the sun was, cool rain was coming soon. No matter how fierce the wind was, warm sunshine and soft wind were on the way. No matter how violent the storm was, a beautiful rainbow was ahead and the world will be much cleaner and fresher.

Never would the couple of lovers be flowers in a green house, which were very nice and admirable, indeed. But they could never survive in blazing sunshine, fierce wind, or violent storm, nor could they do for only one day. The couple of lovers must be a solid steel tower, never yielding to anything. They must be a long river, never stopping and just running forward.