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The Journey of a River |
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In the scorching summer, a river carries its wish and begins its long journey
towards the sea. Excitedly, it flows past bushes, reeds, and high mountains.
When it reaches a village, an old ox asks in a simple and honest voice, "Where
are you going, river?" The river responds with a crisp voice, "I want to flow
into the sea and see its vastness and magnificence."
After traveling through many landscapes, the river becomes exhausted and weary
but still cannot reach the sea. Instead, it ends up in a desolate and
uninhabited desert. The river hesitates, and seeing the gaping maw of the
desert, it becomes frightened and loses the courage to move forward. It fears
getting lost in the dreadful desert forever.
The river thinks to itself, "Perhaps I should go back home and wait until next
year." It turns back towards its hometown. As it departs, it sees another river
arrive and mockingly say, "Look at you, what ability do you have? When you
encounter difficulties, you retreat. You're better off being brave and forging
ahead like me." The other river finishes its taunt and strides proudly towards
the desert.
No one knows how much ridicule and mockery the river endured on its return
journey. Mother Hen said it had no aspirations, the Wind Fairy said it was
useless, and even little Rabbit Sister criticized it. But the river did not back
down and bravely returned home.
Day by day, year by year, the river grew up, but it did not give up on its dream
of seeing the sea. Once again, it summoned its courage and flowed towards the
embrace of the sea. This time, the river succeeded in realizing its wish.
The sea comforted the river, saying, "Some things are not accomplished by
persistence alone. Sometimes temporary abandonment can lead to greater success." |
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