(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-05-23 21:11

BEIJING  -- The strongest earthquake to hit China in three decades has sent the nation into an abyss of grief. As of noon on Friday, the quake that hit southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12 was known to have killed 55,740 people and injured 292,481 others.

Students who survived the earthquake run to attend class at a temporary school inside a tent in Mianyang, Sichuan province, May 23, 2008. [Agencies]

However, amid the tragedies, stories about children have lightened people's hearts and given them confidence.

Children, one of the most vulnerable sections of the population, have become an unexpected force for inspiration. Here are some of the words and deeds of the brave boys and girls.

I AM NOT AFRAID. PLEASE DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME

Trapped 7-year-old Ren Siyu in the epicenter, Wenchuan, tried to reassure rescuers as they were hurrying to dig her out from under the debris of her kindergarten, where she had been trapped for two days.

Badly injured and blood-stained, Ren hummed a childhood song, "Two Tigers", while waiting to be freed.

"I will forget the pain when I sing," she said.

"Some are born as an angel to give people hope," one Internet comment said of her.

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