Alone in the Light

(The blurb is in first person; the story itself is in third person.)

A poverty-alleviation teaching story born from a spark of inspiration. One person is trapped in the mire of fate; the other has been betrayed by a friend. But because both have kindness in their hearts, they save each other.

The first time I met Lin Dong, he was carrying a child on his back while washing cloth diapers in the icy river.

That day, he wore dingy, patched clothes, and his short hair was so messy it looked like a bird's nest, sticking out wildly in every direction. I mistook him for the child's father, so I called out to him from a distance, "Hey, big brother," and politely asked how to get to the village school.

At the sound of my voice, Lin Dong spun around. His pupils were black as lacquer, and two deep red patches colored his cheeks. Before speaking, he sniffed, looking every bit like a boy in the bloom of youth. "Follow this road east. When you reach the intersection, turn left. Keep going and you'll see the school gate."

The next time I saw Lin Dong, he was still carrying that quiet, well-behaved child. He was lying on the windowsill outside the classroom, silently trying to make out the words I'd written on the blackboard...

(I've planted lots of little seedlings lately. These are short stories under ten thousand words, perfect for a quick read. Come check them out~)

Theme: The clouds will part, and sunlight will find its way through