Post by NZBC on Mar 15, 2009 7:56:51 GMT 12
www.whitireia.ac.nz/4thfloor/07/ahchang.html
Look after the lichee trees
Kitty Ah Chang
‘Here daughter, taste this one.’ The father offered the plumpest, just-picked lichee.
‘Mmm. It’s so big Baba. Do you think there’ll be a big stone inside?’
‘Of course not! These trees are famous for bearing fruit with small stones. Eat it and see.’
Mei-lin peeled back the shell, holding it above her face. Juice spurted, and she opened her mouth wide to catch it. Her father watched proudly, as she relished the succulent fruit. His own father had planted the lichee trees and every summer, he harvested the fruit and sold it at the market. His fruit was renowned in the district.
The girl shadowed her father and watched everything he did. She liked working in the cool shade of the trees and enjoyed the outdoors.
‘Stay! Help me sweep the floors and wash the clothes,’ Mei-lin’s mother had called as she ran from the house.
‘I’m going with Ba to pick the lichees,’ she called back.
‘Let her be,’ said her father. ‘Tomorrow she can stay home.’
‘How will she ever grow up to be a good wife? She runs outside all the time. How brown she has become this summer. Nobody will want to marry her,’ muttered the mother.
Look after the lichee trees
Kitty Ah Chang
‘Here daughter, taste this one.’ The father offered the plumpest, just-picked lichee.
‘Mmm. It’s so big Baba. Do you think there’ll be a big stone inside?’
‘Of course not! These trees are famous for bearing fruit with small stones. Eat it and see.’
Mei-lin peeled back the shell, holding it above her face. Juice spurted, and she opened her mouth wide to catch it. Her father watched proudly, as she relished the succulent fruit. His own father had planted the lichee trees and every summer, he harvested the fruit and sold it at the market. His fruit was renowned in the district.
The girl shadowed her father and watched everything he did. She liked working in the cool shade of the trees and enjoyed the outdoors.
‘Stay! Help me sweep the floors and wash the clothes,’ Mei-lin’s mother had called as she ran from the house.
‘I’m going with Ba to pick the lichees,’ she called back.
‘Let her be,’ said her father. ‘Tomorrow she can stay home.’
‘How will she ever grow up to be a good wife? She runs outside all the time. How brown she has become this summer. Nobody will want to marry her,’ muttered the mother.