Phoenix PEN Hongying: Nature∙Childhood∙Education

Phoenix PEN Hongying: Nature∙Childhood∙Education During the festival, I took my two young children to camp in the countryside. For us adults, it’s a bit asking for trouble...

Phoenix PEN Hongying: Nature ∙ Childhood ∙ Education During the festival, I took my two young children to camp in the countryside. For us adults, it feels like asking for trouble. The campsite is far less clean and convenient than home. For children, being in nature is like being in paradise. They would pick an inconspicuous little flower on the roadside and be surprised, and braid it in my hair; they would also pick up a small pebble, saying it was a crystal gem, and put it in their pocket like a treasure; they would be busy picking up pine cones, looking at bugs, and catching earthworms. At first, I was worried about them being sunburned, sometimes worried about being bitten by insects, and worried about whether they would get dirty. After a while, I laughed at myself for being stupid. How could the infinite wonder of the world in children's eyes be seen by someone like me whose soul has been covered with dust? I can only search my own memory and smack my memories∙∙∙∙∙∙ In my memory, nature seems to have infinite attraction for me. Sometimes, I think it is forbidding and scary, with the sky high and the moon dark, and the sound of waves echoing through the pine forests in the mountains like the waves of the sea, which will cause tremors in the young hearts; sometimes, it is full of fun, with the soft mud growing between the toes and the splashing of raindrops on the pond. The blossoming water splash; sometimes, it is mysterious, elusive snakes and insects in the wilderness, wildfires ignited for no reason; sometimes, it is pleasant and endearing, flowers smiling in the morning dew, large mushroom umbrellas after the rain∙∙∙∙∙∙The inexhaustible nature! And all these things in nature are really in harmony with the hearts of children! One side is speechless and full of life, and the other side is an ignorant urchin, full of curiosity and childishness. Both are free from earthly contamination, worldly influence, and utilitarian considerations. However, as people grow up, their eyes on the world also change. Every day, I weigh everything I see based on its usefulness and futility, and calculate the gains and losses. We turn a blind eye to the sunrise and sunset. The bright stars above our heads cannot arouse our amazement, and the flowers blooming and falling around us are not enough to make us feel sad. I am really grateful to the children for bringing me back long-lost memories and reminding me that I once had such a pair of eyes to see the world. When I look back on the past, the natural scenery of my childhood has become the most precious and pure and beautiful picture in my life memory, which lasts forever. Nature seems to tell how broad and deep love is. Sunshine and rain shine indiscriminately, nourishing all life. It tells how beauty is diverse, the mountains are majestic and majestic; the sea is magnificent and boundless; the clouds are calm and elegant; the wind is misty, swift, light and soft. As people grow older and feel the hardships of the world, the memories of childhood are like a well hidden deep in the soul, nourishing me and allowing me to walk the long journey of life without feeling lacking. We humans yearn for love, yearn for beauty, and admire precious creativity. The highest state of education is to teach people what love is, learn to love, experience love, enjoy beauty, and express beauty. We really should be more friends with nature. While children still have childlike innocence, let them have more influence from nature and understand what is the beauty of nature, what is the love of creation, and what is the miracle and uniqueness of life.