On the way back from the store today, the taxi radio played a children's song of some sort. Meimei started dancing to it, and our Ayi and the cab driver sang along while Meimei danced. I thought it was kind of cute, so I asked about it.
"Oh yes," the taxi driver told me, "Back in 1963 Chairman Mao set aside March 5 as the day to Learn from Lei Feng's Good Example. He was a soldier in the People's Liberation Army, and Lei Feng Day is a time when everyone goes out and does good things for others."
Ahhhh, I see. "So what good things are you going to do today?" Lei Feng was known for his abundant adoration of Mao Zedong, as well as his exhuberance in helping old ladies, visiting the ill, cleaning trash from parks, and generally being a model citizen. I wondered how Lei Feng's legacy has continued in the modern day.
There was a long pause. I didn't think they heard me. Eventually, our Ayi answered me. "I'll just not do any bad things."
So Happy Lei Feng Day, everyone!
Here is the song from the radio:
With any luck, Penny will learn a dance like this in her preschool!
PS: There's an old painting of Lei Feng a block away from our house. I guess he died here in Shenyang.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Love it! I bet Penny will be a pro in no time :) When I was in Nanjing for Li Feng day, I asked our cabbie about it because kids seemed to be everywhere. He said, "This is the day we celebrate and cherish our kids." Not bad. Enjoy!
If I recall, Lei Feng was actually a made up person to foster the idea of model citizens (I think he is the "person" who made the little red book)....but I could be wrong :) Either way, dancing babies are cute.
That was awesome.. Now I want to go pick up some trash!
Funny, after watching that, I have the same feeling I get after having a nightmare...
Post a Comment