|
Mailman becomes a national hero
By Shixi (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2006-02-14 15:25 In his wife's eyes, Wang is more mailman than a husband.
"It takes 14 days for him to make a mail trip, and he has to embark on two
trips every month. This means he has less than 30 days to spend home each year,”
Han Sa, Wang's wife, said.
Wang takes a break in his make-shift
shelter. | Married in 1985, Han has to take care
of all the house chores and farming work. Twenty years of hard life have made
this woman tough and independent but also older than her age. "I got used to the
empty rooms, and I have to take care of the vegetable farms and cattle. However,
I still miss him," she said.
The couple's love for each other is very deep. Wang recounts one particularly
touching scene: "When I came back home from work last June, I heard my wife
moaning. She was in bed, pale and wan. She was seriously ill and didn't say a
word to me but extended her hand to reach for mine. I could no longer hold my
tears at the sight of her suffering."
"The next morning, I borrowed 1,000 yuan (US$124.27) from the post office and
sent her to a hospital. It was the first time that I had ever looked after her
in a hospital and my neighbors also visited her several times," he added.
Soon after his wife got better, Wang sung her a song he composed for her --
"So long my love, one leaf one song. So long my heart, one hill one hope." --
and left the hospital soon after she got better.
On the route, Wang has to mount the 4,000-altitude jokuls and descend
valleys. He has to endure sharp temperature changes. By day, he hobbles his way
by stepping into the footprints of his mule and at night a plastic shabby tent
shelters him from occasional downfall.
|
