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In my hometown, there is an old elm tree. It has been around
for many years and is said to be several times older than I am. Its mottled
trunk is marked with the trials of time and bears witness to the passing of
the years. Despite this, it is still lush and every year, its branches are
laden with elm seeds that scatter and take root in the soil, giving rise to
new life.
The crown of the old elm tree is massive and its branches are strong. High
up in its branches, there is an old crow's nest. I remember when I was
young, my father used to climb up and tear down the crow's carefully
constructed home because he was annoyed by the crow's incessant squawking.
The dry twigs he collected filled a whole basket, which my grandmother would
use to keep us warm in winter. When spring came, my father would climb the
tree again and gather the elm seeds. After washing them, he would mix them
with a little flour and steam them, adding garlic juice and salt for flavor.
In those days, many families in my hometown used elm seeds as a supplement
to make up for the shortage of food in the spring. When the seeds ripened,
people would collect the ones that had fallen to the ground, rub off the
husks, fry them, and store them as snacks for the winter. The roasted elm
seeds were crispy and delicious, even better than sunflower seeds and
peanuts.
In those days, elm trees were highly valued in the countryside because of
their hard wood, which was excellent for building houses and making
furniture. The bark of the tree, when dried and ground into powder, made an
excellent material for incense. The young leaves of the elm tree were also
edible.
What I remember most fondly, however, are the elm seeds. They are round and
start out as green buds, gradually turning yellow and then white when they
mature. The seed itself, which looks insignificant, is the key to the
plant's survival. With the passing of time, the elm seeds continue to grow,
silently multiplying and giving rise to new life with each passing season.
When spring arrives, the seeds awaken from their long winter slumber,
breaking through the soil to grow and thrive in the wind and rain. Their
tender young shoots paint the world green and provide shade for those who
seek it. When the elm seeds are carried away by the wind from the tree's
branches, they embark on a new journey, seeking out new fertile ground to
begin the cycle of life once again. It is this indomitable spirit, this
unrelenting perseverance, this eternal forward momentum that I will always
hold dear. |
