Hi guys!
So, before we start this story, I just wanted to let you know that this story was inspired by a small part of the book "Mao's Last Dancer" by Li Cunxin. I would definitely recommend this book. My story was originally a part of a class assessment but now I want to share it to the world. So here goes...
Prologue
My love story was very happy, until I received news that changed my life forever. I am Wang Mei, and this is my story.
In life there are many times where I have doubted my freedom, simply because I had to do chores around the house or because
I did not get to choose what I did, but these series of events, that were completely out of my control, made me doubt my freedom more than ever.
Part 1
I was a girl of the age of 16, when I met Cunyuan. I was young and carefree at the time I met him, but as I got older, and we got closer in our friendship, I started to fall in love with him.
My dia* was the district official in the New Village, Laoshan district, in Qingdao, China, but this did not mean that I had servants always there to do work for me. In other words, I still had to do chores. There was no running water, so, if we wanted to stay hydrated, we had to go to the well.
One day, my dia told me to go and fetch water from the well, that was about a mile away from the village. I sighed when he told me this, but I obeyed him, because as a young lady I had to
be respectful to my elders.I hated going to the well. My feet hurt so
much because they were bound. I had pleaded with my father not to
bind my feet when I was just seven years old, but he insisted.
This was done because, men fancied women with bound feet,
and he wanted me to find a good husband.
By the time I reached the well, my tiny feet were covered in scratches and bruises. I collected water and then was about to leave the well, when the bucket I was holding slipped out of my hands and spilt water everywhere.
I started to cry because I was wearing my niangs** most treasured dress. But then I felt a gentle hand against my shoulder. Embarrassed, I stood up and wiped my tears away. Standing there beside me was a boy about the same age as me. He gave me a warm smile and then said, "What is beautiful girl like you doing out here?” blushing I grabbed my bucket and walked toward the well to refill it, “Let me help you.” He took the bucket from my hands and refilled it. Then he offered to walk me home. At first, I was confused with what he was saying and just stood there unaware of my surroundings. Then, in the blink of an eye, I came to my senses, and thanked him for helping me and timidly agreed.
As we walked together, we introduced ourselves, laughed and exchanged stories. He told me his name was Cunyuan and he
had seven brothers. When I had gotten used to Cunyuan, I told him my name and told him how I had no siblings and that I was usually lonely. He told me that I should meet him at the well the next day.
The next day I met him at the well and we talked together once more. But this time he had brought me a flower. We became great friends.
Part 2
Over the course of four years, we had created an unbreakable bond - or so we thought. On the fourth year, we received devastating news that ended our relationship.
One day, Cunyuan and I were walking together in the cool winter breeze. I could see that something was wrong, because he was unusually quiet. “I cannot bear seeing you in this state!”. I said, to him after contemplating in my mind what to say, “Is there anything bothering you?” The was an awkward silence for a few seconds, but then tears filled his eyes. I hugged him and we sat down under a nearby tree. “What is it, Cunyuan?” I was scared something bad had happened, like he failed a test at school, and he was going to be punished, but I did not expect what he said next. A marriage had been arranged for him to a girl in another village where one of his aunts lived. His aunt said that this girl was perfect for Cunyuan. I was angry. I could not let the love of my life be sold to some girl he did not even know. I loved him, and I would not let this happen.
When I arrived home the next day, I got dressed in my best Chinese attire and snuck some dried yams and flour into an old plastic bag and headed to the Li’s home. When I got there Cunyuan was not there, but his parents and his younger brothers were.
As Cunyuans niang opened the door my palms started to sweat. She smiled and led me inside. I could see the dirt on the ground and the Chinese pots on the ground. I could see Cunxin and Jing Tring, Cunyuans brothers, playing with sticks, like there was no other care in the world. I liked this simple lifestyle and I wished that I would be able to change my dear friend’s parent's minds. But I had heard from the village people that the Li’s father was very firm in his opinion and there was no point for me to go to his house. But I was too determined to listen any of their doubts.
But now I was here, I started second guessing my decision. What if the village people were right? Maybe I came here for no reason at all. Why does this have to happen to me?
Cunyuans mother was very welcoming but was hesitant to accept the dried yams and flour, but I insisted. Cunyuans father did not say much but gave me a half smile.
“Uncle, Aunt. I am deeply sorry to bother you and your family,”. I started with uttermost respect, “But, I have known Cunyuan for four years. I love him and he loves me. I beg you not to force him to marry someone he does not know or love.”
“Young girl, you are too young to understand what real love is." Cunyuans niang replied, "You are too beautiful. Our son is not worthy of you. There is no destiny working in the communes."
"Aunt, I do understand what true love is and I can feel that connection between me and Cunyuan! Love cannot be forced.
I will follow him to the end of my days. I'm willing to eat dirt as
long as I can be with him. Please give us a chance!"
"We come from diverse backgrounds," Cunyuans dia told me. "You would not like our hard commune life."
I was desperate to change Cunyuans parents' mind. "I promise I will be a loyal wife and a trustworthy daughter-in-law!"
I could see that Cunyuans parents were not going to agree with me, but I held onto hope for a miracle. "We know that you would be a good wife and daughter-in-law, but you are too fair and pretty. Go and find a suitor in the city. That is where you belong." I could see the stress in Cunyuans niangs eyes. But I kept going.
I started to tear up. "Is there any chance for me to marry Cunyuan?" I asked sadly.
"No. He is already betrothed to another." Cunyuans father said in a rather annoyed voice. Those words tore through my heart like a sword.
Cunyuans parents gave me sorry looks and I fled their home with tears running down my cheeks like light rain. I wished so bad that this was a dream, but reality was against me.
I walked down the dirty roads and thought over the events of the past half-hour. I knew that Cunyuans parents did not wish for this to happen, but I could not understand how this world could be so unfair. How could other people choose who one loved? I questioned my freedom.
Part 3
Freedom is like a gift. It is a gift that no one should take away. But there are many people like me, who had freedom taken away from them. Many people have relationships they that they treasure, but because of other people's beliefs they must cut them away from their lives. I believe freedom is the ability to make your own choices without being judged.
*Dia means father
**Niang means mother
Wow guys you made it to the end of the story. The overall lesson is that freedom should not be taken from others. What are your thoughts? Tell me in the comments.
Email me at: Aggigurl0@outlook.com
💖Bye💖
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