Jasper Huang, G10, RDF International School

When honeysuckle bloomed again, I returned to my hometown in East China’s Anhui Province to visit my relatives. This time, my great-grandmother was gravely ill, with only four to five months left to live according to the doctor’s verdict.

The day after my arrival, I went to the old family home to visit her. She was now utterly bedridden and unconscious, which made her a completely different person from the one I knew. In the past, she liked to take leisurely walks every day. Looking at this once-familiar environment, I could not help but think of the good old days I spent with her.

The most unforgettable memory from my childhood was when I used to sneak out and play alone. One hot afternoon, while the elders were taking their daily nap, I chased a cat across the yard. Almost all the vegetables and melons that had just sprouted in the yard were ruined by my hurrying steps. For a moment, I didn’t know what to do, so I went to my great-grandmother’s house for help.

Still resting in her bed, she was awakened by the noise and asked me what was wrong. I told her the roosters were making a mess. She was very surprised, but after I showed her my “crime scene,” she smiled. Then, she asked me again, “Is it true that roosters did this?” Afraid to be scolded by my mom, I nodded my head and said yes.

She asked, “Which one did it?” I pointed at a random rooster. Without saying a word, she chased down the bird and caught it. I thought my great-grandma was going to hit it on the head as a punishment, but when I heard a loud screech from the rooster, I realized too late that it would end up on our dinner table.

I used to relish the flavor of chicken, but that night, I didn’t eat any. And after that day, I have never lied again. My dear great-grandmother never went to school, but she taught me the most important and memorable lesson.

Time flies. The little boy who sought help for his blunder has grown up, while the woman who guided him through his innocent days is now withering away.