Night Chating of Seafarer

That Day On The Stage   1-1
The auditorium was corwded with hundreds of parents. They all came here for the graduation ceremony of their precious. We,my wife and I,of course were among them to see the very important moment of our precious little daughter as well.

A prize giving ceremony started. The audience clapped the honours student heartily at the moment of awarding prizes. The atmosphere in the scene excited everybody ,and we were very happy for the children too.

But... I was still waiting for what I wanted.   

Looking at the pupil in the auditorium,backing to the past, I was deep in my thought. Picking my little rogue up from school bus was always my happiest time of a day. But that day ,a year ago.....

One day after kindergarten my little rogue running to me said "Daddy,they laughed at me at school." in a very serious manner.

"What was that ? My little one,"asked I.
"My classmates all laughed at me for a hug you gave me the other day."
"So what ?"

She was still angry and went on her saying "They said I'm too big for that anymore."

I looked at her little innocent but serious face for a moment.

Finally I took her tightly in my arms,looking into the clear sky ,softened my voice and said "My precious. Listen to me,one day you will realize that in the world no children would grow up in the eyes of parents."　

One day, on the way to Lungshan Temple, I saw a little old man holding a very big show card with his little shaking hands in the extremely hot weather ,standing still at the crossroads of  hustling  avenue in Taipei.

Suddenly I was shocked to learn that this scene could be easily seen on many streets around. If only stopping for a moment on the street and giving a little concern to this cruel society we live we shall surprisingly see it happened increasingly day after day .

I had a mixed motion and gazed at him for a very long time.I knew he would have a hard and long day . Watching his thin figure as compared with that broad sign tightly grasping by his shaking hands ,I couldn't help but thought “Is he on his own? Shall he be making his living in this way for the rest of his life ? How long could he hang on this way after all ?” .

“Green light is on.” my wife got me back to this moment from meditations.

Thinking all of it really made my heart sinking . As if scared to lose something, I ,unconsciously, held my wife's hand firmly.But I still don't get it. Didn't he pay the taxes which he should pay for while he was young ? then, why shouldn't the government give a concern to those people who were unable to take care of themselves any more ?

“What were you thinking ?” she asked.
“Nothing !” I answered.
“Darling , Nothing ! Really!……”