The Story of My Aunt

Lv Dongzhi

I have an aunt living in the impoverished northwest mountain area. Her parents died when she was very little and was brought up by her sister. She is 18 and has no chance of going to school. One day she called my father and asked him for finding a job for her. My father introduced her to a noodle restaurant. Since she first came to work outside, everything was strange for her. The boss was very unsatisfied with her and blamed her endlessly.

The other day when serving the client, she fell down and broke the bowls. The boss could no longer stand her and gave her the sack. She came to us crying and blamed herself. My parents encouraged her and found another restaurant. The new boss taught her patiently how to make the noodles and serve the customers. After half a year, she had much improvement. And the boss raised her salary.

A Bowl of Cut Noodles

Yan Yueqin

One day I was having cut noodles in a small restaurant when a middle aged man entered with tidy dress. He said to the manager'I come from Shaanxi not for the noodles but paying off.' The boss looked up and down the man and said nothing.

The man said 'I had a bowl of noodles two years ago, but I found I forgot taking money with me and I said I would give you the next day. Doesn't it ring a bell? I came here the next day, but you seemed forgetting it and I didn't pay for the noodles.'

The boss seemed not believing what he said and insisted not taking the money. The man said imploringly 'Please take it. I am serious. I did labor work at that time and often came to your restaurant, but after that day I never did that. I have been feeling upset for the two years. Now I feel much better.' I was moved by his action.

Becoming in Order

Yan Yueqin

In night bazaar, a street vendor selling noodles told us at the beginning the vendors often fought for the better place. One day, he almost finished putting up his stall some people came to demolish without saying anything. He did not fight with them but suggested that the vendors should use the good place in turn. They agreed with idea and gathered all the vendors for discussion. After that the night bazaar is in good order.