by Wai Chim
‘Giant birds that help catch fish,’ Commissioner Sun explained. ‘It’s an ancient fishing tradition that dates back centuries. The fishermen in a village near Yunnan still train these birds to use the old methods.’
Mr Yeung went red and stared down at his knotted nets.
Jin gripped the man’s arm in a reassuring manner. ‘No, Commissioner. We don’t have anything like that here,’ Jin said softly.
Commissioner Sun nodded and wrote something down. Deputy Director Yu grinned like a contented cat. I clenched my fists.
Our next stop was the home of Mr Chen, the pig farmer. He was clearly nervous as he led the committee to a giant pigpen where dozens of fat hogs were foraging for food.
‘Um … ah, the pigs … they eat and they … they roam free.’ Mr Chen stuttered through his speech. ‘They get lots … lots of exercise, so they taste juicy.’
‘Just one pen? Not much space,’ one committee member remarked. ‘The traditional farmers in Shandong made their pigs go up to the mountains to keep their meat and muscles lean.’
‘Ah, yes.’ Mr Chen gestured to a tall wooden platform at one end of the pen, flanked on each side by a set of stairs. ‘See I … I built the staircase for the … the pigs, so they can exercise more.’ He whistled loudly and on cue, one of the pigs trotted up a set of stairs, streaked across the top and went down the other side. The villagers cheered, the pig farmer beamed and I grinned. Surely the committee would be impressed now.
‘A farmer in Hunan has pigs that dive off a platform,’ I heard one committee member murmur to his colleague. ‘They do somersaults in the air and swim laps. Now that’s ingenious.’
My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe my ears. Was there nothing that would impress the committee?
Deputy Director Yu also heard the comment and flashed me a smug smile. I was furious.
‘Don’t worry,’ Cap whispered in my ear. ‘Our farm’s next. You’ll blow them away.’
I swallowed to try to calm the pitter-pattering in my chest. It was almost time.
Ma and Bao were waiting for us at home. They had spent all morning tending the fields and cleaning out the animal pens.
‘Here is one of the finest farms in the village, if I might say so myself,’ Jin said with a wink. ‘This farm was started and has been kept by the Lin family. I would like to call on my stepchildren, Mei and Guo, to tell you about its traditions.’
That was my cue. I came forwards and took a deep breath. Commissioner Sun, the committee members and the entire village looked at me expectantly. And suddenly, my mind went blank. It was as if the words I had been practising fell out of my head!
I turned to Guo in a panic and he squeezed my hand. He didn’t look as nervous anymore. He gave me a smile and a little wink, which made me feel better. And finally, my words came back.
‘My grandfather started this farm many, many years ago,’ I began, trying to keep my voice steady. ‘Our farming methods are simple and make use of local knowledge and traditional methods to get rid of weeds and pests.’
I went on to describe how Pa had taught us to grow two types of crops close together to kill fungus. Then Guo showed the committee the special light traps he built to catch insects. He explained how we let fish swim among our wet rice crops to eat the weeds. The officials seemed intrigued.
Next Guo cleared his throat and said, ‘I’ve been studying farming and agriculture at South China University and have learnt the modern ways that larger farms now use.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Most of these techniques rely on chemicals and pesticides that pollute the water and kill our fish. Some farmers are even using science to change the very nature of the food we eat without any idea of how this will affect our health in the future.’
Suddenly, Guo raised his head and looked Deputy Director Yu square in the eyes. ‘Some people may think that the methods of Daoling Village are old-fashioned and that there’s nothing left to learn from our village. And while I think I’ve learnt a lot from my studies, my time in the city has also shown me that there’s still plenty to learn from the old traditions.’ Guo turned back to the crowd and continued, ‘These ways, the ways my father taught me, are kind to the environment and the world we live in. And it’s the way I hope to keep running our farm for a long time.’
The crowd was silent as the power of Guo’s speech sank in. Then slowly, one villager began to clap and soon everyone joined in. Bao hollered from his perch on Jin’s shoulders while Jin whistled and stomped his feet. Ma’s eyes were wet and Cap pumped his fist in the air. My face hurt from smiling so much.
I was so, so proud of Guo.
Best of all, the committee members were smiling. Only Deputy Director Yu looked displeased, his face set in a grimace.
Jin clapped my brother on the shoulder and pulled him in close for a quick hug.
Then Jin turned back to the committee. ‘Well, ladies and gentlemen. I believe my stepchildren have summed it up brilliantly. What we wanted to show you today was the very heart of Daoling Village. We, of course, think it’s special because it’s our home, but we also believe it can offer so much to the region. That’s why we are asking you to place Daoling Village on the National Preservation List of Traditional Villages.’ The villagers all nodded in agreement.
The officials hunched over their clipboards in a tight huddle, whispering to each other. I strained to catch a word of what they were saying, but couldn’t hear anything. The deputy director pressed his thin lips together so tightly that they practically disappeared. I felt sharp chills travelling up and down my spine and had to look away.
Finally, the committee members broke apart. Commissioner Sun walked over to my stepfather. His face was unreadable.
‘Mr Wang, thank you very much for the opportunity to visit Daoling Village. We all agree that this village is special and there is no doubt that the community spirit here is strong.’ The villagers beamed and my heart soared. I crammed my fingers into my mouth waiting for the result.
The commissioner raised his hand. ‘However, as I have mentioned before, the criteria for being listed on the preservation list are very strict. While your village has demonstrated an adherence to traditional practices, quite frankly we can’t find a particular characteristic that makes it, well, unique enough to be placed on the list.’ He sighed heavily. ‘I’m sorry to say that the committee’s decision is a no.’
The crowd gasped. Ma let out a wail and Bao burst into tears. I bit down on my fingers, feeling my world being torn apart. Jin’s face went bright red and a huge vein bulged on his forehead as he struggled to contain his disappointment.
‘Well, well. Isn’t that a shame,’ Deputy Director Yu cut off the commissioner before he could add anything else. ‘I suppose the freeway will go ahead then. It is sad we have to sacrifice this quaint village, but I’m sure the consolation for these residents is knowing that they are making an important difference to the urbanisation project and towards the future of our region.’
‘No!’ The cry burst from my lips before I could stop it. I surged forwards, pushing past the deputy director until I was standing in front of Commissioner Sun with tears streaming down my face.
‘You can’t do this. How can you let them destroy our village!’ My words came out all garbled. I stamped my feet, sending up splashes of mud.
The commissioner looked pained. ‘Little girl, you have to know that we see thousands and thousands of villages every year. The cities are growing faster and they need buildings, roads and people. We can only preserve the villages that have something different, something that you won’t find anywhere else.’ He bowed his head to me. ‘I’m truly, truly sorry.’
‘Please, sir,’ I begged. ‘Where are we going to live? Ma, Guo, Little and Lo – my whole family, this farm is our home.’ Jin knelt beside me and pulled me into his arms as I continued to weep.
‘Shh, shh, it’s okay Mei,’ he m
urmured into my hair. ‘We’ll find a place for all of us, I promise.’
I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe. It was like everything inside me was spilling out. I felt hollow and empty. This was ten times worse than when Ma had sold my chooks to be slaughtered and I thought I had lost Little and Lo forever.
Little and Lo. The chooks.
There it was. An idea, a big one. ‘Of course!’ I cried. My heart stilled and everything felt like it was moving in slow motion. All of a sudden, I felt a blossom of hope.
I wrenched myself out of Jin’s grasp. He was too stunned to stop me. ‘Wait, please, just wait one moment,’ I shouted at the commissioner and grabbed Cap’s hand. I broke into a run, pulling Cap along, my body racing to catch up to where my mind had leapt.
‘Mei, what are you doing?’ Cap demanded.
‘I know how we can save the village!’ I cried, sprinting towards the house.
‘How?’ he asked, pumping his arms trying to keep up.
‘Cap, they need something different, something they’ve never seen before.’ I threw my arms up in the air, ready to burst from excitement.
Cap frowned. Then his eyes crinkled at the corners and I knew he had finally caught on. He sped past me and I was two steps behind him, as we ran down the hill, headed for the shed.
Chapter Ten
Little darted her eyes to and fro as I clutched her to my chest. I huffed and puffed, struggling to keep up with Cap who was holding Lo in one hand. The music box balanced between us as we ran as fast as we could.
But when we returned to the fields, everyone was gone. I could see the group making its way back to the main road. Jin was leading the commissioner away, despite me asking them to wait.
Why didn’t adults ever listen?
‘Wait! Wait!’ I cried, startling Little. Cap and I set the music box on the ground and took off after them, shouting at the top of our lungs.
Jin turned, surprised to see me running towards him.
‘Mei, what is the meaning of this?’ Ma cried.
I was too out of breath to speak so it was Cap who said, ‘We have something to show the committee. Why Daoling Village is different.’ He held up Lo as proof. My rooster and the commissioner both cocked their heads.
‘Cap, Mei, the committee has already been generous with its time,’ Ma said softly.
I shook my head. ‘No, they have to see this. So Daoling Village will be put on the list and we can save the farm!’
‘Now, now, little girl,’ came the stern voice of Deputy Director Yu. ‘We’ve had enough of your antics. The committee has made its decision,’ he said, trying to steer the commissioner away.
I locked eyes with the commissioner. ‘Please, just a few minutes, sir. I promise.’
Commissioner Sun glanced at the committee. They nodded. ‘Very well, but just a few minutes or we’ll miss our train,’ he said.
Deputy Director Yu snorted angrily as the officials pulled out their clipboards again.
The villagers that were left followed us back to the fields. They looked confused when they saw the box on the ground.
‘What is it? A cage? A crate?’ There were quiet murmurs from the crowd.
‘It’s a music box,’ a voice whispered sadly.
I moved quickly to get Little into position and slid the metal comb into place. When I was finished, Cap set Lo on the ground and addressed the committee.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, you’re about to witness an outstanding act, something that has never before been done by an ordinary chook.’ He waved his hands over the box like he was awarding a prize. ‘Presenting the amazing, the incredible Little and Lo, the performing chickens!’
The crowd stared as Little bobbed her head up and down, pleased with the attention. Lo let out a squawk, as if readying his voice.
My heart fluttered wildly. I seized the metal crank, but my hands were sweaty and I had to hold on extra tight to get the metal to turn.
Slowly, the gears inside the music box came to life and the spool began to spin. The ridges clicked against the metal comb and the lights twinkled along the panel.
Soft melodic notes filled the air as Little and Lo began to play.
I heard initial cries of delight and surprise when everyone heard the song my chooks tapped out. Then the crowd fell silent, listening to the whimsical music. I kept turning the crank and Little kept playing, picking out the notes like bits of fine grain. Lo warbled on, his usual squawks and caws sounding quite melodic. We watched, hypnotised by the twinkling lights as Little and Lo performed for all they were worth.
Finally, the lullaby came to an end. The lights stopped flashing and Little stopped playing, cocking her head from left to right in her chook-like way. Lo fell silent, looking mighty pleased with himself, ruffling up his tail feathers like a peacock.
For the second time that day, the villagers erupted in applause. Cap and I gave each other a high-five. Ma, Jin, Bao and Guo came over and pulled us into a big family hug.
‘Well, that’s certainly not anything they would have seen before,’ Jin said with a chuckle.
‘We are so proud of you both,’ Ma whispered.
As one, we turned back to the commissioner. Once again, he huddled together with the committee, whispering. I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress.
Finally, Commissioner Sun came forwards. He didn’t say a word, and instead stooped down to peer closely at the box. Little tilted her head and clucked, her eyes curious and searching.
‘Such fine workmanship,’ he murmured, running his finger down the chiselled edges of the frame. ‘And the detailing in these motifs is phenomenal.’ He traced the head of the sculpted lion leaping off the panel.
The commissioner straightened up and gazed at me and Cap. ‘This is the finest example of woodwork in the traditional Chaozhou style that I have ever seen. It was first started in the Tang dynasty but has mostly been lost after so many generations,’ he declared. ‘Children, where did you come across this piece?’
‘I gave it to them,’ a voice called out. The group parted and the old toymaker stepped forwards.
‘Old Dan!’ I cried out in delight. ‘You’re here. You came back.’ I wanted to run and wrap my arms around him, but I was too stunned to move.
‘I couldn’t let them assess my home village without me,’ he said with a wink. I grinned. I must have missed him getting off the train.
The commissioner offered his hand and Old Dan shook it. ‘Sir, we are most impressed with your work. There are very few artisans left that know about this style. How did you come to learn it?’
‘I learnt it from my grandpa and he learnt from his father before that,’ Old Dan declared proudly. ‘My ancestors carved these figures for the great emperor himself.’
The commissioner bowed. ‘They are quite stunning,’ he remarked and the old toymaker prickled with delight.
Then he dropped his head and said, ‘It’s such a shame that I cannot carry on my family tradition. My son has no interest in learning this skill,’ he said sadly. ‘He is only interested in the shiny cars and tall buildings of the city.’
‘I want to learn,’ I cried, my hand shooting up.
‘Me too,’ said Cap. Bao nodded his head as well.
The corners of Old Dan’s eyes crinkled. ‘I would want for nothing more than to come back to the village and teach you,’ he said.
The committee was whispering again, clutching their clipboards to their chests. Once more, Commissioner Sun came forwards to speak.
‘Upon further consideration, the committee has agreed that Daoling Village is an outstanding and unique example of a traditional rural village. With its thriving community, traditional woodworking craftsmanship, and of course its exceptionally gifted animals,’ he added, winking at Cap and me, ‘we have decided to put forward a recommendation that Daoling Village be included on the
National Preservation List of Traditional Villages.’
The cheers were deafening. Everyone was hugging. I hugged Commissioner Sun, I hugged Guo, I hugged Bao, I hugged Ma, I hugged Jin, I hugged Cap and I hugged Old Dan. I picked up Lo and took Little out of her box and showered them with big wet kisses.
I was so happy, it felt like a million New Year’s celebrations all rolled into one.
Only Deputy Director Yu looked grumpy. And that suited me just fine.
‘We did it,’ I whispered, when Guo pulled me into another tight hug. ‘We saved Pa’s farm.’
‘You saved it, Mei. You and your chooks.’ His eyes were wet with tears. ‘Pa would be so proud.’
Commissioner Sun offered his hand to Guo. ‘Mr Lin, congratulations. You did very well. I can see why my daughter Jing is quite fond of you. I hope you’ll come to our house for dinner sometime soon.’
‘Of course he will,’ Ma chimed in, all smiles. ‘I think my son and your daughter will get along famously.’ She gave Guo a little wink and my brother turned bright red.
I laughed and cradled Little and Lo against my chest. They clucked softly, their eyes droopy after all the excitement from the day.
When I finally set them on the ground, Lo exploded with an almighty crow. He had one more song to sing, a cry of triumph and it sounded a bit like:
COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO. DAOLING-VILLAGE-IS-A-COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO.
We saw Commissioner Sun and the committee off on the train. They all smiled and laughed as they boarded, making remarks on the beauty of Daoling Village. Deputy Director Yu disappeared without a word, and once again, that suited me just fine.
On the way home, we paused by an old wooden sign, hanging loosely on a single nail. The letters were faded but you could still read the characters ‘Daoling Village’ stencilled on the surface. I’d never really noticed it before, but right now, I couldn’t have been happier to see it there.
‘To think we almost lost it all,’ Jin murmured, Bao perched on his shoulders. Ma wrapped her arms around her husband.
