Rice is not a very demanding cereal because it tolerates a wide variety of soils well, but in order to obtain high yields in small areas it is necessary that the cultivation is well oriented. In the growing season the water must have a certain minimum depth to ensure uniform growth. To conserve water, therefore, small walls are built around the fields which, through irrigation channels, make it possible to manage the crop. When the harvest approaches, the fields are drained and the harvest begins.
As in the past, Li went on to visit the weekly market. Among a wide variety of products, merchants sought to attract the attention of potential customers. In those spaces they sold a bit of everything: from ceramic pieces to fabrics; passing by agricultural products; natural medicines; cattle and so many other things. Tournaments and shows were held periodically, which, with their diversity, lent a bit of joy and enthusiasm to the faces of the people. Once in a while there were interesting people there, almost always with an enigmatic message to leave, sometimes pleasant, sometimes not so pleasant. They traveled through esoteric worlds, full of magic, speaking of “future truths” almost always improbable and nebulous. But if the message was promising, the clients retained in their memory the hope of a time full of mystery and charm. As she witnessed those scenes, Li recalled a time in her youth when, accompanied by her uncle, one of those “fairies” insisted and pursued her for a long distance, telling Li that she had an important message to give to her. Her uncle, at that time, drove away the said “fairy” several times, but that one, with the insistence of those who have a high mission to fulfill, did not let go of her. Already tired of being bothered so much, she looked the said “fairy” in the eye and told her:
- What is so important you have to tell me?!
Her uncle still tried once again to intervene, but that gesture proved late, as the “fairy” had already taken her hand and started to read the message: “the girl is of good lineage and has a beautiful future ahead of her! You are well educated and have good principles but almost always you will not be understood in your intentions. You will travel and meet other places - attracted by dream, beauty and charm. You will live among silk, jewels and gold, but you will not be happy in this place. The sunshine will not let you see the stars, even though they so insistently look at you. This place, from the distance, will seem to you a paradise, full of gardens and charms, but as you approach, you will notice that it exhales strong odors of putrefactive matter. Everywhere you will find flowers laden with poison, living side by side with verdant trees where menacing snakes walk. The air in this garden is almost unbreathable. At first you will feel attracted by the beauty of this place and makes an effort to adapt, but you will not be able to live with all that! One day, dragged by a strong storm, you will return to the place where you were born. There you will find again the peace and the star that for a long time was looking at you. Then, as if by enchantment, your life will change, becoming intense, exuberant, distributing knowledge and joy everywhere. Then you will feel invaded by a wave of happiness and with it everything around you will grow, like an immense virgin forest full of sunshine and charm!” Li remembered saying to her: “That’s all?” surprised by the message. At the time the good “fairy” smiled, accepting the little silver coin that her uncle gave her. She also remembered that on the way home she had not stopped thinking about everything she had just heard, but as at that time she understood almost nothing of what the good “fairy” had told her, she shrugged her shoulders and fell silent. Now, years later, recalling those scenes (but without her uncle’s presence), she wondered: “how is it possible that now, after all these years, the words of the “fairy” make perfect sense?
A few days later...
She went to her uncle’s house to gather opinions about the school project. She found him rather crestfallen. His brother’s death had brought him much bitterness. He had not yet accepted the new situation, perhaps because they were twins. All his life they remained very close to each other, maybe that’s why the abrupt estrangement sent him into a deep emptiness. Li never understood how a few months’ uterine closeness between two beings could have such an intense and prolonged effect on their lives! Still as a child, she had a few embarrassing moments when she called her uncle her father and her father her uncle. Almost always these situations occurred when he had to refer to a third person having previously been with one or the other.
In her meeting with her uncle she preferred to omit the reason for the visit at first, but was surprised by his words.
- You come to tell me about your concerns?
- What do you mean?!
- Don’t try to avoid what your eyes reveal.
- I didn’t even know my eyes spoke!
- Of course they do! And I see it for as long as I know you.
- Well, then, here it is! I don’t know if you know this, but I’d like to open a school. Your opinion is very important to me.
- Your mother had already told me about it. As you know, a decision of that nature represents a great personal responsibility. It involves financial resources, human resources, and also a lot of organization. I’m sure if your father were alive he wouldn’t stop helping you. You’ll have my full support!
- I look forward to your help in choosing the location, facilities, masters and everything else! – Li said, with a smile.
- One thing at a time! I’m going to have to involve other people to solve several of these issues. As for the location, I already gave it some thought. There are at least two alternatives, but I have to talk to your mother first. However, there are things you can already start thinking about, for example, the program content of the future school.
- I was hoping Uncle would tell me about it. I have a number of ideas here, which I’ll leave you to analyze and give me your opinion.
- Very good. In a few days we’ll talk about this again.
When, moments later, she said goodbye to her uncle, she appreciated that he looked less gloomy than before, what she took as a good sign. Perhaps school business could help to invigorate his own life and perhaps also be a new hope. That afternoon Li saw her ideas revived, so after dinner she went to the garden to take a short walk, something she had not done for a long time. The garden formed a large annex to her parents’ house and as a whole was bordered by the fields of the vast property. While walking, she went over places and talks from other times. After some time and already very close to her house she remembered in particular the long conversations her father had with her uncle, usually at the end of the afternoon, catching up on business matters. Next to the house there was still the reclining chair, as in other times. She approached and sat down. Li sat there for a long time, looking at the immensity of the sky, until the night came. That time allowed her not only to regain serenity and calm, but above all to find herself again, listening to the voice of her heart. When