China Scene: South

Father sides with dead cat over violent son

A father turned his son in to local police after he discovered that the young man had thrown a cat out the window of his apartment and beaten the animal to death where it fell on the street.

The 23-year-old son, a resident of Haikou, capital of Hainan province, was brought to the police station for questioning. He was released after he wrote an apology letter and pledged to refrain from further animal abuse. 

The father, surnamed Kuang, speculates that his introverted son may not have gotten adequate attention from his mother, who raised the child after their divorce.

(Nanguo Metropolis News)

A well-known Chinese saying for what seems impossible is: "Sago palm in blossom, and the dumb speaks."

Six years ago, several sago palms, also known as "iron trees," were transplanted to Donghu Garden, a residential estate in Huizhou, Guangdong province. Five of the palms recently blossomed with bright yellow fragrant flowers, giving local residents a pleasant surprise.

Local gardeners attribute the unexpected blooms to this year's unusually warm and rainy climate in southern China.

(www.chinanews.com.cn)

(China Daily 06/10/2008 page6)