Ditch is a small ravine trail deep in the Qinling Mountains, the upper groove of the ditch next to a hundred households. People have lived here, the village people rely on farming, weaving Sang living. With Shaanxi words, this village everyone was downright belong farmer. Great-grandfather was born in this village an ordinary family, so he grew up a little on a little work in the fields, are "facing the loess back into the air," the kind of honest people.
Remember, it was a year in the spring, I just like Notepad. My great-grandfather went to the ditch and sheep, the day after the rain, the sun exceptionally brilliant. We arrived ditches sheep, so that they Mimi eating grass. Find a piece of clean large stone, sat down to rest.
Warm sun shines on the body, there is a burst of weariness stumbled in my eyes, the real phrase should be "Chun Kun, lack of autumn, summer and confused, sleepy winter," the old saying. Just when I slept soundly, a loud cry pierced the silence of the sky children. I Yi Gulu to climb up, you want to see the source of this sound. Great-grandfather also heard the sound, patted me on the back, let me not be afraid to sleep. But that heard the cries of a child, where I can sleep. Great-grandfather could not help but curiously asked, "This is someone’s child crying?"
"Children, do not ask so much, fast asleep!" Grandfather again, patted me on the back, motioned for me to continue to take a nap. I was tossing and turning, how could not sleep, and ears that constantly heard the cries of a child, are not the slightest bit sleepy. Lost its mind again curious, asking how this is going great-grandfather.
Great-grandfather looked at the rise sky, the sky blue tile blue tile, Jiduo misty clouds. Bowed his head, a long silence before slowly should I word. That word, so I felt an instant goose bumps off the floor.
"It is a ghost Mother teaching son!"
Heard him say this, I immediately scared shocked, no longer afraid to ask him the slightest. Had obediently over his ears, lying boulder continue nap. Can in any case, always keep in mind guess, what is the "ghost Mother godson." Although when young, but also love reading, how have never heard of a story so it? Suppressed panic and curious mind, I slowly closed his eyes dim.
After many days, I have been restless, my mind repeatedly pondered that question. Great-grandfather saw my confused state, put me into a quiet place, quietly to me about the story of the origin.
It turned out that his great-grandfather’s birth parents have died within about five years, leaving him alone in a person’s life. When he was born, coincided with famine. The 1930s, is in the midst of the tumult of the times. This is not peace on morals, hurried retreat, so he just turned five years old this kid how to survive? At that time the rural poor starves every household. Starving yourself, where can get care of others? Even the neighbors regardless of his great-grandfather’s life and death, leaving a less than five year old children go hungry. At night, when the great-grandfather hungry fast fainted when suddenly the door of his house, "creak" sound open.
Then, he saw a shadow in the yard door. After his house lodge kerosene lamp suddenly went out. This put him in this five year old children cruelly scared, crying aloud together. Hastened to reach out to touch a match, lit the kerosene lamp that want. That may be drawn to how many times a match box is also zoned non-combustible, anxious for his round and round. At that time simply is no electricity in rural areas, families are point kerosene lighting. And that suggests that it is time to burn kerosene kerosene lamp, the need to spend money to buy. How much money can the farmer, so one dark on the lights to sleep, because can not afford kerosene. Great-grandfather home lodge kerosene is not like the old, dark and dirty. No matter how hard he tries, all point the lamp is not lit.
This can really put him anxious, the shadow in the end is what? Although he is very young, but fear is a human instinct. With a burst of soft footsteps, that shadow has been close up. He immediately head down, eyes closed, shrunk to a group, shook unsteadily to say one thing:
"Who are you?"
But he waited a long time later, still have not heard the last part of reply. When he opened his eyes again, the shadow disappeared, his lodge also miraculously lit the kerosene lamp. At the time of his puzzling, unexpected discovery, put on his desk corn steamed bun face the size of a fist. Moment he shines, who is the shadow? What brought him to eat? Also refused to think, he ran up to grab the corn face steamed bun, neat and quick to eat his shirt. Already hungry to die, where also spare some other?
But when after he finished, while scared to climb up from the back. That shadow is a ghost, why give him to eat it? At that time he was a kid, my mind is not enough. Simply do not think about it, as long as there is food, you can survive, this is the most important. Why do you care who is she? Grandfather while thinking, aside wells hit water poured and drank heartily. Each night after the grandfather can receive a corn steamed bun face. He is the one virtue that steamed bun, fortunately survived.
In the midst of the tumult of that era, a lot of places to eat are missing, and some places even starving everywhere. With a great-grandfather that can literally "shadow" sent food, lucky to be alive. And so he did big time, and even their own mountains to collect wild fruits points, day after day 度命 with. With age, he began to understand the personnel, they call the shadow of "Ghost Mother."
I remember one year the winter, it began to snow over the mountain. Great-grandfather, a man on the kang home nest, but the mother may be the ghost not come to eat for several days, which can be really unexpected. After a few days until the evening, when the ghost again sent the mother to eat, do not know where the great-grandfather of one unnamed anger welling up, facing the ghost Mother yelled:
"You’re dead where to go, you have to starve me ah? Get out of here, get out!"
When the great-grandfather had just put those nasty words shouted export, and immediately regretted it. Mother with the ghost of his non-relative, so, has been a relief to him how it could be so ungrateful? Moreover, there is no reason why the ghost Mother sent on time to eat, certainly what had happened. Not to mention that a few days under the snow goose feather, every family behind closed doors. He may be too young at that time, knowing that his own wrong, but never admit. Then, it was a ghost Mother pulled Kangbian, according to the kang edge, mercilessly beaten ass.
Although grandfather ass stinging, but did not issue a sound. After completion of the lessons to be the ghost of his Mother, when turned to leave, great-grandfather "boom" is heard knelt on the ground, hoarse shout out "Mother!" Mother shocked at first that the ghost, then head did not go back out. But that later, not only bring food every ghost Mother, great-grandfather would bring some "seed." There, wheat seeds, corn seeds of various fruits. Great-grandfather put those seeds as a treasure, carefully collection up. Wait until next spring, when quietly chose a piece of land, seed from the crops.
Then, accompanied by great-grandfather grew older, others are getting taller, has become a nearly two-year-old, young and healthy young man. The number of times your mother to send him a ghost will eat less and less, because they can be self-reliant grandfather knew your mother. And at that time the great-grandfather, also learned to Thanksgiving, sometimes out of their own kind of food will give some to the ghost mother, let ghost Mother improve the food. Because every time he saw the ghost mother, hearts have burst unspeakable sting. Mother Sees Ghosts grandfather childhood, when she would look thirties; now a ghost your mother has only forty years old, but the look of the vicissitudes of life. But her face is very good, always giving a feeling of closeness. Mother is no longer a ghost great-grandfather came home at night to send him to eat, frank and open with him to meet, great-grandfather called her "Ganniang."
"Ganniang"? Listen grandfather talked about here, I could not help but be curious. He said that he had never heard there is a "Ganniang" ah, how is this going? My mind’s irrepressible curiosity, interrupted his memories.
"My child, you do not worry. Fact, you’ve seen me Ganniang! I have not the biological father, your grandparents, I was adopted by them." Grandfather spoke leisurely, lit a pipe down, say the man’s name.
I could not help but surprised. My great-grandfather was not surprised that I was not the biological father, grandparents, because my grandparents have told me this earlier. In fact, the great-grandfather is only eight years older than my grandfather, when they saw a grandfather who lives, they took him. But grandfather said this, I indeed seen just a few years ago she died. But I did not think how she would be great-grandfather’s Ganniang, but did not expect her is that "Ghost Mother."
Great-grandfather smoked a pipe down hard, spit out a series of smoke rings, and then continue to give me speak up.
It turned out that the mother ghost is none other than our village that living alone - Chen Zhenglian, we often call her Grandma Chen. I remember I was a kid in school, and often went to her home to discuss the corn candy. At that time the family was poor, almost teeth tooth farming parents, earn hard-earned money, only for a year to come up with a stack of wrinkled skin change, send me to school enrollment. And my time is very small, to see other people’s children are in draft fructose, you can not help but want to eat. Which can then home money, which will be willing to buy ten cents a fruit sugar? Grandma can hear Chen family has sugar, I can not help but always ran discuss candy.
In fact, Chen grandmother sugar is mixed with popcorn, not the kind of fruit sugar. I then very young, like to eat sugar Chen grandma’s house. So Chen became my grandma’s house frequented place. Every time I come to see Chen grandmother always Congguizili a sweet and savory corn sugar, smiling to me. And every time I rushed Chen grandmother sly smile, carrying a bag and then ran toward the school.
I remember that time, we thought Montagnards still very conservative. Especially the "patriarchal" thinking exceptionally popular, every household with a boy for the glory of his wife, who gave birth to a girl if that is absolutely not like to discuss her mother. And I, a grandson of our family, so much love, enjoying doting grandparents. But one winter, under the snow goose feather, grandfather dug up the mountain herbs foot empty, or become seriously injured. Our family cried the grandfather taken to the hospital, my father also took the only stack of coins, to pay the hospital costs grandfather. Seeing the coming spring, I’m going to school enrollment, and may have no home penny.
That year the Spring Festival, we are one people are being spent in silent sorrow. First, because my grandfather was seriously wounded, the need to spend a lot of money for drug treatment; Second, across the years between the first month I’m going to school to sign up. The family can not pay tuition, they only let me out of school. I always say that a thirteen-year-old boy, do not go to school. Grandpa After hearing the news, eagerly patting the bed, hitting his chest, blame themselves useless, careless fall and hurt yourself grandson can not continue to go to school.
Remember, the fifteenth night of that year, our family ate a little homemade "Lantern", around the fireside warming himself. Grandma a big hug from the outside come in bundles of firewood, Wang added a lot to the fire. Silent for a long time father suddenly opening, so I do not go to school. That was my memories of a Lantern Festival, a nearly changed my life Lantern Festival. When those few words from the mouth of a single word of his father came out when I was young hearts "buzz" about to fall into the abyss. Only a belief in the mind repeatedly shouting, I want to go to school!
But I also know very well that year, the family simply could not get the slightest bit of money to pay my tuition. Grandpa stake in urgent need of money to treat. So, my father only wronged me, let me go home farming, to help work at home. I, bent to school, where willing to go home to farm it? Desperate out of the house, ran toward the outside.
The village every house hung a pair of red lanterns, but I do not have the slightest mood to watch. Inspired by deep snow, and ran toward the school playground. I remember that time in school is far away from my home, a farm yard in the town. Paozhaopaozhe, I was tired; Paozhaopaozhe, I fainted.
When I woke up again to be greeted by a pile of charcoal and a familiar face. Is none other than Chen grandmother. When she saw me wake up and immediately brought me a bowl of hot syrup, let me keep warm. Sipping hot hot water, tears would flow out Shuadeyixia child. "Chen Grandma, I want to go to school! ...... I want to go to school," was how not remember crying, just remember that day Chen grandmother took me, take me home when his father handed a pile of change. Father wanted to refuse, you can look forward to see my eyes, literally choked back. Chen grandmother looked away in the back, I’m out of the first drops of tears of gratitude.
I want to see the great-grandfather of trance, but also no longer speak. Smiled and looked at me and gently asked me, "My child, do you remember Grandma Chen ah?"
"Ah," I nodded, waiting to continue the unfinished memories grandfather.
Great-grandfather on his back and looked at the distant mountains, we bring a drink of water, moistened throat, continue to speak up.
That year, the great-grandfather knows that when Chen grandmother "ghost mother" truth, Chen solemnly tell grandma grandfather, be sure to keep a secret. Great-grandfather that time, although very young, but clearly the status quo at the time. At that time, the military, bandits dominate their rampage, looting food everywhere, where spare some people’s life and death? While in the ditch trail deep in the mountains, it may also not be able to escape a "catastrophe." The village people chew teeth, tighten their belts, they have to adhere to town turned grain per year, which is now called "tax." At that time, the food is also worth more than life. Do not let one know if Grandma Chen family has food, that’s not looted?
Chen grandfather and grandmother were conservative with the secret, no one has spoken to outsiders. It was then, Chen grandmother heard the bad news like a bolt from the blue. Chen grandmother this is a local Windsor Arch, then come down, leaving her so alone. Recruited a door-law, her husband is Chen grandmother. Married, has two sons. Later, her husband was dead, Chen grandmother and two sons live with her, her son can then later be drafted into the army, but soon after came the bad news, killed by shells. When Chen grandmother heard the news, almost fainted, but fortunately there are great-grandfather looked after by her side, this does not forever.
And after that many days later, Chen grandmother walked slowly out of the grief. Available since then, Chen grandmother once again transformed into a "ghost your mother." Often at night, wearing a black out, with her own food, a lot of relief to the village orphans. And then, a lot of parents thought the village is very conservative, often abandoned girls. In their own words, adults almost starved to death, where can raise children? The "ghost mother" took hold of those abandoned children back into the village of the "Ghost House" adoption.
In fact, the village of the "Ghost House" is not really ghosts. But "ghost mother" to deceive the public, and great-grandfather scary ghost loaded together, so that the villagers are not close, they can take care of the children there. The floor is the ghost village in ancient times used to horses of "mews" because there one winter, there Wrangler sudden death inside. Then it was repeated the baseless assertion, eventually became the people at the mouth of the "ghost floor." Fortunately, there is also then a ghost building, Chen grandmother and great-grandfather could there be abandoned children for adoption.
Then, after a few years later, that is, after the founding of New China, "Ghost House" will naturally not a village. Fortunately, Chen grandmother put every child adoptions made a mark, wrote adoption location, year, month, until the ghost of the mystery was solved floor, Chen grandmother took the children to be sent back to their abandoned homes. And then a lot of people who are open-minded, many parents have thanked Chen grandmother, thanking her for so many years raising their own children. And then do not go to Grandma Chen loaded "ghost mother", it can be big enough to take care of those children. There are some among them to school age, can not afford the book, pencil, Chen grandmother will come up with her own money to aid children. She often says he likes to see the children go to school, the kids love to see the smiling faces of youth, love to hear the kids vibrant sound.
Later, Chen was sent to superiors political commissar grandmother assessed as "revolutionary families." It is said that two sons of Chen grandmother took part in the Eighth Route Army, the glorious sacrifice for the country, so the leadership of superiors told to take support Chen grandmother, Grandma Chen annually to send some food, life grants. And at that time, Chen has indeed very old and a grandmother. Later in my impression, she is indeed getting old "old woman" was.
Available after a few years, the rural and launched a "mess" of the wave. With the last century the sixties three years of natural disasters, extreme poverty on the trail ditch the villagers, once again caught in the hunger. That is, at this time, Chen grandmother again took their savings, took their food relief everyone. Only this time she could not play "ghost mother" because people are silently accepted her grace, no longer have to fear of being robbed, being scolded. With the great-grandfather’s words, most people in the village, have received the grace of Chen grandmother.
At this time, Chen grandmother, has a nearly ninety years old man. Almost all rely on people walking leaning, someone had to feed her dinner. The great-grandfather would not leave the care of a step in Chen grandmother around, but then I also have a school. After you have not seen for two years, Chen grandmother always closed his eyes never left the trail ditch.
Chen grandmother to go, still a very poor village. Can not afford a coffin, do not afford the funeral. We can only silent tears, finally ordered the mayor, even stood the village do, but also to Chen grandmother Fengfengguangguang do a funeral. Almost the whole village to the neighboring villages started to borrow money, you want to hold a funeral Chen grandmother. But when they opened that mouth Chen grandmother home cabinet, again dumbfounded.
Chen grandmother’s cupboard, full of ground corn containing two cells, and a jar of change. There one minute of coins, paper money has a corner corner. In the above, Chen stood Grandma leave you a "suicide note."
Village screeching voice, wiping a tear to read:
Road ditch folks, if you can see testament to this time, it shows that I’ve gone. However, I would like to stay a few words to everyone. I hope everyone under the temper-resistant, do not hold anything against me winded.
I have two sons in this life, but they all have been killed. I am the only such an old woman kept Liuzaishishang. But I did not give up, because every time I see these kids in the village, I saw hope for the future. I took them as their own children’s love, I hope you do not mind.
I stayed in the two cells of corn, used as emergency rations when I gave you. Please everyone have to be a witness, whether starves when someone hungry, can lead here since I poured corn. This pot of money, not to give me a big funeral, buy an ordinary coffin mouth bury me on the line. The rest of the money they have to help the village children to school is like.
Pro, a nagging me. Hard the child is not suffering, no matter how poor not poor education!
"Chen Grandma!" Throbbing crowd suddenly burst, followed by a burst of resounding cries of ancient ditch deep pass out. Everyone eventually comply with the last words of Chen grandmother, no big funeral, but to buy a mouthful of pine coffin, buried her on the hill. The great-grandfather used to say, Grandma Chen Xi funeral, good turn deserves another. She was alive, we ditch trail first-olds; her death, the trail is also ditch the happiest man. Because the annual Qingming, July and a half hours, the village people will not help to pay his respects to her mound. And in her lifetime lived in the "courtyard", has also been changed and now the "village school." Every day to meet with the village kids smile, every year a batch ravine fly away "Golden Phoenix."
I was listening to talk about the great-grandfather, I realized that my grandmother is the legendary Chan among the "ghost Mother." Chen grandmother and great-grandfather passed away just a few years, but also forever. Deathbed he called around to our family, saying his death, must take place in graves surrounding Chen grandmother’s grave, he was going to wait on the ground of his "Ganniang."
After listening to his father and mother, all while crying. After that, according to his last words, quietly buried the great-grandfather and his grandmother’s grave and Chen around, planting a lot of pine trees. Listen to the village’s old people say, is auspicious pine tree. Chen grandmother and great-grandfather of the hope for "mother" in the underworld can be happy, be happy.
I know full account of this story, it is already in a lot of years. Memory, the village did indeed have a "Chen Grandma", a vicissitudes of the elderly. Grave time of year to go home, will not help to go Chen grandmother and great-grandfather’s grave sit down. Sweeping look at the graves of weeds, revisit childhood memories.
When just every time I hear the cries of the children will not help but think. In the depths of the ditch trail, has as a "ghost Mother."