The Abandoned Baby Story (Part II)

The Story of Abandoned Babies (Part II)

Column: Essays Added Time: March 31, 2011, 15:30:17 Source: admin Clicks: 24

Among these abandoned babies, some were left by their parents due to poverty, while others were abandoned for other reasons. Among the children here, many have only a cleft lip with no other issues. In earlier years, some female infants who had no problems at all were also abandoned. Among the children adopted by Elder Sister Yuan, there are several such cases, and they have now grown up. Looking at the pretty, elegant young lady washing clothes and the abandoned babies before you, it's hard to associate them. It's also hard to believe that those once desperate and painful abandoned babies could have today's beautiful appearance. If their parents could see them now, I believe they would certainly regret it so much that they might even bang their heads against the wall. Such examples are not unheard of.

When we were there, there was a five-year-old boy who was mischievous and naughty. He would sometimes cling to his father demanding to be held, and other times cry for toys. He was no different from ordinary children. The cleft on his lips has almost disappeared, although his speech is still slightly unclear but does not affect major things. Seeing his playful manner, I wanted to hold him. It turns out this child's parents, after abandoning him, could no longer have more children. Later, when they heard that the child was well taken care of in Elder Sister Yuan’s family, they came to take him back. The family of Elder Sister Yuan told them: If you knew there would be today, what did you do back then? People like you who are irresponsible, if the child goes back with you, what kind of person will you raise him into? That couple returned shamefully and never dared to come back for the child again. They just secretly visited every now and then, but the child didn’t recognize them or pay attention to them.

There was also a pair of sisters. When they were brought, the older sister was just over one year old, and the younger sister was only a few months old. Their mother personally brought them here. Because of divorce, she may have been unable to raise them or may have needed to seek new happiness. Anyway, she left the children at Elder Sister Yuan’s doorstep, cried loudly, and then left without any further news. Now the older sister is seven years old, and the younger sister is over five years old. Both are chubby and very sensible. The older sister is especially diligent. After school, she often helps her mother feed milk powder and change diapers for the abandoned babies. She rarely idles around and studies diligently.

At that time, we had an eighteen-year-old boy who was six feet tall and robust-looking. We originally thought he was Elder Sister Yuan’s biological child, but upon asking, we learned that he was also adopted and was the fifth child. When he was young, his chest bone was high, and his stomach was sunken. As he grew, he gradually improved, and now not only is there no problem, but he is as strong as a bull. His food intake can reach twice that of a normal person. With a smile, he reveals two fangs, looking like a good-natured child. Watching this tall and robust child, I truly admire Elder Sister Yuan. For us ordinary people, raising one child is exhausting and stressful, yet Elder Sister Yuan raised dozens of children over twenty years, and they were all problematic children. Even just seeing them makes us worried, but she took care of them day after day. Not only did she take care of their eating, drinking, urination, and defecation, but she also provided them with education. There were dozens of disabled children, and for us, just feeding them would be impossible, but Elder Sister Yuan not only fed them but also did so very well. She not only raised the children well, but she herself was also plump, a typical big fat person. Looking at her, I always think of the Laughing Buddha, thinking of his generosity, kindness, and love.

Of course, you might say she received donations, but these donations only started in recent years, and they were quite limited. More importantly, Elder Sister Yuan supported herself through her own efforts. In the early years, she often ate one meal and didn't know where the next would come from. Thanks to the help of the people around her, she managed to get through until today. She also did some small businesses, setting up an iron house near the hospital to sell cigarettes, alcohol, and sundries, but the income was too limited. She earned money in the morning, but spent it all in the afternoon. With so many children, the expenses were enormous, and anyone would find it hard to sustain. On one hand, she had to earn money to support the family, and on the other hand, she had to take care of so many children. Her parents initially did not support her, but out of pity for their daughter, they voluntarily helped her take care of the children. This help lasted for many years and seemed endless. For others raising children, they look forward to their children growing up so they can be free, but in Elder Sister Yuan's case, children were constantly being sent here, not only by ordinary people but also by civil affairs departments and police stations, because some children couldn't be accommodated even in welfare institutions. After sending so many children, they felt indebted and would send Elder Sister Yuan a few bags of flour and a few hundred yuan annually as a token of appreciation. Gradually, because she adopted so many children, Elder Sister Yuan became famous. Newspapers reported her story, and television covered her. Once, someone donated a thousand yuan on the TV station, but after deducting various taxes, only a few hundred yuan reached Elder Sister Yuan. Donations require taxation, which was the first time I heard about it, and I don't fully understand the country's tax policies.

Although the children sent to Elder Sister Yuan were materially poor, they were each more clever than the last. Although some could not speak and others had difficulty walking, several five- or six-year-olds, when they got lost playing outside, actually knew to call 110 and let the police send them back. There were two mute girls here; the older mute girl, around ten years old, was very diligent and often actively fed milk and changed diapers for the smaller infants. The younger mute girl was lazy and wouldn't move even when called, so four or five white-haired seven- or eight-year-olds and two other children didn't like her. Once, when Elder Sister Yuan wasn't around, four or five children ganged up on the younger mute girl, but it turned out that she was quite capable and managed to drive them all away. There was also a lame boy around ten years old who once stole a bicycle and brought it home, but Elder Sister Yuan discovered it and severely beat him, telling him: We may be poor, but we have integrity. From then on, he never dared to steal again. There was also the white-haired little girl, only seven or eight years old, but very clean. She often washed her own clothes and neatly folded them and placed them on her bedhead, showing a very feminine side. Elder Sister Yuan loved her very much, so when she was around, she was very proud, and the mutes and the lame children all listened to her. But if Elder Sister Yuan wasn't there, the mutes and the lame children began to act superior and started ordering her around.

Looking at these children and listening to Elder Sister Yuan tell their stories, I experienced much, much about the ordinary and great, the common and noble...