journal again!

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

“Sh*t!”

Unexpectedly, a sticky and cold hand grasped my leg!
I glanced down—the little black dirty hands belonged to a Uigur boy who seemed to be no more than 4-year old and not so tall as my leg. “ Flower, sir” he blurred in a strange accent and swayed a bunch of flowers in front of me. He could not even pronounce “buy”, but apparently his gesture directly showed his will.

I was frightened by his dirtiness or his miserable life or both. I tried to let go of my leg, but I failed. For the boy just got on both of his knees and took hold of both my legs, crying. I was shocked and somewhat infuriated by his action. Leaped as high as I could, I extricated myself and ran away. I felt sorry for him and looked at him from distance compunctiously. Suddenly, a little Uigur girl who seemed to be the boy’s sister came towards the boy angrily and beat him up just because he was unable to sell.

This scene took place in downtown Shenzhen, where numerous skyscrapers, elaborately designed gardens and trees, broad street and luxurious shopping centers manifest its prosperity. This niceness, however, has nothing to do with the two kids although they live here—they should have enjoyed a happy childhood with their parents and friends, or they should have enjoyed education at school, playing with their classmates and dreaming about their future. But the truth is the kids just beseeched passersby to buy their flowers to make a living. They have been experiencing ordeals that children their age should not undergo. Knowing that buying their flowers meant giving them the money for their next meal, I couldn’t help going back and buying all the flowers. I was so glad that I could be of some kind of help. Soon afterwards, I realized that these two kids were merely two of many poor kids of their kind in the world I am living in. What I did could only help these two kids with their next meal but not their future and the future of other poor kids just like them—I believe there are tons of them out there.

First time in my life I began to seriously think about how unfair this world is to the two little kids. First time in my life I realized how lucky I am that I don’t have to experience all those the two little kids have been experiencing. First time in my life I became aware of how silly I was by taking all the good things I have for granted. Never before have I been so clear as to what I want. Yes. I want to change this world—to change the world into a better place for everyone.