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Ahua and the Sparrow at the Alley Corner
墨書 Inktalez
Ahua is the daughter of Old Zhang. Old Zhang is from Ershili Pu, a town resident without a proper job, making a living by running a shoe repair stall on the street.
Their home is at the end of an old alley, consisting of a dilapidated tile-roofed house and a small shed. When Ahua was born, she was so thin and small that Old Zhang sighed upon seeing her, saying, "This girl is so tiny."
Ahua's grandfather has never looked at her properly since her birth; the house is always filled with the smell of his smoke and his constant sighs. Whenever Ahua cried, her grandfather would glare at her.
"Old Zhang, why can't you give me a son?" Ahua's mother sometimes couldn't help but complain.
Her grandfather would respond harshly, "A son? Do you have that kind of luck? Just look at your belly; you’re not fit to bear a son!"
When Old Zhang was in a good mood, he would remain silent; when he was in a bad mood, he would scold Ahua's mother. If she retorted, Old Zhang would resort to violence. After each beating, Ahua's mother would pick up Ahua from the cradle and show her the bruises.
"Look at what your father has done to me! What’s the point of me living? Why are you crying, you little money-waster?"
Ahua could only wail, her eyes wide with fear.
Growing up in such an environment, Ahua was both small and thin but had bright eyes. Whenever she saw others eating, she would gaze longingly. If someone asked her what she wanted, she would smile shyly, drool at the corners of her mouth.
"Is it delicious?" she would ask softly.
If they turned away impatiently, she would follow them until they either gave her something or pushed her away.
There was a small market in Ershili Pu that became lively every afternoon. In front were vegetable stalls where Ahua helped carry vegetables. Her small frame struggled under the weight, turning her little face red. The vendor was a kind uncle who sometimes rewarded her efforts with a cucumber or a tomato.
"Alright, little girl, take some vegetables and go," he would say. Each time he handed her something, Ahua would happily accept it, carefully placing it in her pocket, thinking about eating it later when she got hungry, and then she would skip away joyfully.
One day at the market, Ahua encountered an elderly lady selling flowers. The flowers were colorful and fragrant. Captivated by their beauty, Ahua stood there staring blankly. The old lady noticed her and smiled, asking, "Little girl, do you like these flowers?" Ahua shyly nodded. The old lady then gifted her a small sunflower. Holding the flower filled Ahua's heart with joy.
On another occasion, Ahua saw a street performer doing magic tricks. The performer transformed a handkerchief into a dove and then into flowers. Mesmerized, Ahua clapped in delight. Seeing how adorable she was, the performer invited her on stage to join in the act. Although slightly scared, Ahua gathered her courage and stepped onto the stage. Under the performer's guidance, she successfully conjured a small flower. The audience applauded enthusiastically as a radiant smile spread across Ahua's face.
In the middle of the street, there were stalls selling snacks, including fried dough sticks, steamed buns, and wontons. Ahua dared not approach the grumpy uncle who sold fried dough sticks, fearing his temper. Instead, she timidly called out to the girl at the steamed bun stall, who handed her a bun. The lady selling tea eggs next door also gave her an egg.
Still smiling, with food in hand, she ate while glancing around as if searching for something precious. She didn’t go home but sat at the alley entrance to eat. As she munched on the bun, she fell into a daze, chewing without knowing what she was thinking. A bicycle passed by, and the ringing of its bell startled her awake; she looked again at the bustling pedestrians.
Ahua wasn’t very bright and learned things slowly. The school reluctantly accepted her, but her grades were always poor. Old Zhang didn’t pay much attention to her, and Ahua's mother lacked the energy to care for her. Every day, Ahua wandered around the streets.
When Ahua was eight years old, her mother suddenly disappeared. Old Zhang was the root cause; that autumn, Ahua's mother wanted to go out to work, but Old Zhang disagreed.
They had a fierce argument that escalated to physical confrontation, drawing neighbors out to watch the commotion. Old Zhang threw a shoe repair awl on the ground and warned that if Ahua's mother dared to leave, he would stab her with it.
Yet Ahua's mother still took advantage of Old Zhang’s absence to run away with her luggage. Strangely enough, she didn’t take Ahua with her.
“Mom, where are you going?” Ahua cried out.
“I’m going out to earn money; I’ll be back soon,” her mother said hurriedly without looking back.
Every day, Ahua waited at the alley entrance for her mother from morning until night. Old Zhang continued to man his shoe repair stall but became even more taciturn. After closing up each day, he would sit at the door drinking alcohol and cursing Ahua's mother for being ungrateful.
Old Zhang’s shoe repair stall was located at the corner of an old alleyway—a small patch of land cluttered with various shoe repair tools. A worn wooden box sat there, filled with shoe polish, glue, needles, and threads—its faded colors seemed to tell tales of time’s passage.
Next to it was a small stool with a seat so worn that it revealed its cotton stuffing inside. Old Zhang would sit on this stool every day, head down, focused on mending one pair of shoes after another. Scraps of leather and threads lay scattered on the ground, gently swaying in the breeze.
Above the shoe repair stall hung a faded cloth sign that read “Old Zhang Shoe Repair” in characters that had become somewhat blurred over time. Sunlight spilled onto this small stall but could not dispel the oppressive and heavy atmosphere surrounding it.
When Ahua turned ten, one day she found an injured sparrow in the alley. She brought it home and made a nest for it out of rags, feeding it rice grains every day.
“Little sparrow, you need to get better soon,” Ahua said to it.
Under Ahua's careful care, the sparrow’s injury gradually healed. When she finally released it into the sky, a sense of emptiness filled her heart.
"Fly, little sparrow, go find your mother," Ahua said, watching the sparrow soar into the sky, tears glistening in her eyes.
From that day on, Ahua often gazed at the sky from the alley, hoping to see that sparrow again.
Old Zhang's shoe repair stall was doing just okay, barely making ends meet. When Ahua was twelve, Old Zhang got into an argument with a customer while repairing shoes. The customer complained about the poor quality of the repair and refused to pay. In a fit of anger, Old Zhang pushed the customer, who fell and got injured. The police took Old Zhang away, and he had to pay a hefty sum; his shoe stall was confiscated.
With no one to rely on, Ahua had to scavenge for scrap materials to sell. A kind-hearted uncle who collected scrap would sometimes give her a few extra coins when he saw her plight.
"Here, little girl, take this to buy something to eat," the uncle said as he handed her some money.
Ahua gratefully accepted the money and thanked him repeatedly. She used it to buy a few steamed buns and sat at the alley's entrance, slowly eating while watching the passersby, her heart filled with confusion.
One day, while rummaging through a trash bin, Ahua encountered an old beggar. His hair was gray, his clothes tattered, and he emanated a foul odor. Instead of turning away in disgust, Ahua offered him an apple she had found.
"Thank you, little girl," the old beggar said as he eagerly devoured the apple.
From then on, Ahua often begged on the street alongside the old beggar. He would share stories of his past experiences, and Ahua listened intently.
"I used to be someone important," the old beggar sighed. "But then misfortune struck, and I ended up like this."
Ahua nodded in understanding; she felt pity for him but also admired his resilience for knowing so much that she did not.
When Ahua turned thirteen, the old beggar fell gravely ill. She wanted to care for him but had no money to buy medicine. She approached the scrap-collecting uncle for help; he gave her some money. However, when she returned with the medicine, the old beggar was nowhere to be found.
Ahua searched everywhere but could not locate him. Sitting at the alley's entrance, she began to cry sorrowfully. She felt she had lost another important person in her life. Each person seemed to appear quietly only to vanish just as quietly—just like her mother had left without a trace. Whenever she thought of her mother, she could only weep silently.
Ahua's life remained difficult as she wandered through streets and alleys each day in search of sellable scraps. She became more withdrawn yet carried a newfound determination in her eyes.
Life continued in this manner until one day when Ahua stumbled upon an old accordion in a corner. She brought it home and tried to play it. Although she didn’t know how to play properly, she found the sounds it produced delightful.
Every day, Ahua would sit at the mouth of the alley, cradling her accordion and gently stroking it as if it were her most treasured possession. She dreamed of the day when she could learn to play the accordion and create beautiful music.
As days turned into weeks, Ahua gradually grew up. She blossomed into a graceful young woman; although she wore tattered clothes, her beauty could not be hidden.
The market was bustling as usual, but that day there was a newcomer—a young painter who passed by the alley and noticed Ahua sitting there. Captivated by her gaze and aura, the painter stopped and painted a portrait of her.
“What’s your name?” he asked Ahua.
“Ahua,” she replied softly, lowering her head.
The painter gifted the portrait to Ahua, and when she looked at the image of herself, she was stunned. She had never imagined she could be so beautiful.
From that day on, Ahua would gaze at the portrait daily, her heart filled with hope. She felt that perhaps her life would change because of this painting.
On her way home that same day, Ahua spotted an injured sparrow in the market. The little bird flapped its wings but couldn’t take flight. Heartbroken, Ahua approached gently and cradled the sparrow in her hands.
She remembered a time when she had saved another sparrow, and a wave of tenderness washed over her. Finding a small box, she placed the sparrow inside, deciding to take it home and care for it properly.
As she walked home, Ahua carefully held the box, afraid that even a slight jolt might harm the bird. Suddenly, a cat darted out from the side, startling her to the point where she almost dropped the box.
“Stay away! Don’t hurt the little sparrow!” Ahua shouted at the cat. The feline seemed intimidated by her fierce tone and scampered off. Sighing in relief, Ahua continued on her way home.
Once home, Ahua fashioned a warm little nest for the sparrow out of rags and fed it grains of rice and water daily. Under her attentive care, the sparrow gradually regained its strength.
One day, Ahua opened the window to let the sparrow fly around her room for a while. The bird flapped its wings joyfully as if expressing gratitude for being saved. Finally, Ahua released it outside, watching as it soared into the sky with a heart full of blessings, hoping it would soon reunite with its mother.
However, fate seemed to delight in playing tricks. Not long after, Old Zhang passed away due to excessive drinking and sudden illness. Ahua was devastated; she didn’t know what to do. With Old Zhang gone, she was left all alone in their home.
After burying Old Zhang, Ahua decided to leave Ershili Pu and venture into the outside world in search of her mother. She wondered how her mother was doing and whether she would recognize her; did they look alike? As these thoughts crossed her mind, Ahua felt that life still held some glimmer of hope. With a simple bundle on her back and her beloved accordion in hand, she set off on an unknown journey.
Ahua arrived in a bustling city, where towering buildings loomed and traffic flowed like a river, with people hurrying about their business. Standing on the street, she gazed at the throngs of people, her heart filled with confusion and fear. She had no idea where to go or how to survive.
In a corner of the city, Ahua found an abandoned warehouse to temporarily call home. The warehouse was dark and damp, exuding an unpleasant odor, but Ahua could not afford to be picky. She placed her belongings in a corner, hugged her accordion, and curled up on the ground.
During the day, Ahua scavenged for scrap materials on the streets, weaving through alleys in search of anything that could be sold. Sometimes, kind-hearted strangers would offer her food or spare change, but more often than not, she faced disdain and was shooed away. Ahua silently endured it all; she knew she had no other choice.
At night, she returned to the warehouse, eating the food she had collected while gazing at her accordion, filled with longing. She missed her mother, missed Old Zhang, and missed the warmth of her former home. But she understood that those days were behind her; now she had to rely on herself.
One day, Ahua encountered a small boy on the street. He wore tattered clothes and had a dirty face, but his eyes sparkled with brightness. Seeing him felt like looking into a mirror.
"What are you doing?" the boy asked Ahua.
"I'm collecting scrap," she replied.
"Do you not have a home like me?" he asked.
Ahua nodded, and from then on, they began to scavenge together. They helped each other and took care of one another, gradually becoming good friends.
The boy shared that his parents had passed away and that he was living on his own. Hearing this made Ahua's heart ache; she felt pity for him as he reminded her so much of herself.
From that day forward, Ahua and the boy wandered the city together. They scavenged for scraps, shared food, and endured many difficult days side by side. Though life was harsh, their companionship brought a glimmer of warmth to their hearts.
However, their good fortune did not last long. One day, while they were on the street, they encountered a group of delinquents. The thugs began to bully them as soon as they spotted them. Ahua and the boy fought back with all their might, but they were outmatched and quickly overpowered.
The delinquents stole their scraps and food and left them battered on the ground. Lying there in despair, Ahua and the boy felt hopeless; they did not know what to do or if there was any hope for their future.
They lay on the street for a long time until a kind-hearted woman passed by. Seeing them in distress, she took them to the hospital. The woman even bought them some food and clothes, offering them a small measure of warmth.
In the hospital, a nurse tended to the boy's wounds. Afterward, Ahua and the boy decided to leave the city in search of a safer place. With their meager belongings on their backs and hands clasped together, they embarked on a new journey.
Ahua and the little boy arrived at a small town. The people in the town were very kind; upon seeing Ahua and the boy, they felt sympathy for them. An elderly woman took them in, allowing them to stay in her home.
Ahua and the little boy were very grateful to the old lady. They helped her with housework and kept her company. The old lady also cherished them, caring for them as if they were her own grandchildren.
In the small town, Ahua and the little boy gradually settled into a stable life. They would help others with various tasks every day to earn some living expenses. Although life was tough, they felt content.
However, fate seemed unwilling to let Ahua live a peaceful life. One day, a house in the town caught fire due to an electrical fault, leading to a sudden blaze. The fire destroyed many adjacent homes and left many people homeless. Ahua and the little boy were also affected; they had to leave the town and once again faced a life without a permanent home.
During their wandering, Ahua and the little boy encountered numerous difficulties and setbacks. They had no food, no shelter, and could only roam the streets. Sometimes they would meet bad people who bullied and chased them away. Yet they never gave up; they believed that as long as they persevered, they would eventually find a place to call home.
One day, Ahua and the little boy arrived at a coastal city. The scenery in the city was beautiful; the sea stretched endlessly before them, and the sun shone brightly on the beach. Captivated by the beauty of this place, they decided to stay for a while.
Ahua found a job in a small restaurant washing dishes. Although the work was hard, she felt satisfied. Every day she would go to the beach, gazing at the sea, her heart filled with tranquility.
The little boy also found work in a supermarket helping with loading goods. Though their lives were tough, they worked hard, hoping that through their efforts, they could change their fate.
However, fate seemed to enjoy playing tricks on them. One day while working, Ahua accidentally bumped into a table and broke some dishes in the kitchen cabinet. The boss was furious and fired her. Filled with despair at losing her job, Ahua felt hopeless.
The little boy comforted Ahua, assuring her that they would surely find better work. Together they searched for jobs in the city but faced obstacles everywhere. Without education or skills, it was difficult for them to find decent employment.
Ahua and the little boy wandered around the city for a long time; their lives became increasingly difficult. They had no food or shelter and could only sleep on the streets. Sometimes kind-hearted people would give them food or spare change, but more often than not, they faced disdain and rejection from others.
One day, Ahua encountered an old beggar on the street. The beggar saw Ahua and was reminded of his own past experiences. He decided to help Ahua and the little boy by giving them some food and money to help them through this tough time.
Grateful for his kindness, Ahua and the little boy chose to follow the old beggar as he offered them companionship. He led them to an abandoned factory; although it was dilapidated, it provided shelter from wind and rain.
They settled down in the factory where the old beggar would go out every day to beg for food and money. Meanwhile, Ahua and the little boy learned some repair skills from him. Life was hard, but with each other's company, they found warmth amidst their struggles.
Yet fate seemed relentless towards Ahua. One day while she was repairing shoes on the street, she encountered a bad man who attempted to bully her because of her beauty. Ahua fought back desperately; using all her strength, she broke free from his grasp and ran across the road in panic. Just then, a speeding car came rushing by, leaving her no time to evade it.
The screeching sound of brakes pierced the air, and Ahua felt her body collide with a tremendous force before being thrown into the air. She landed heavily on the ground, her vision blurring as her consciousness began to fade. People around her quickly gathered, some dialing emergency services.
Ahua felt weightless, as if her soul was slowly detaching from her body. She struggled to open her eyes but found it impossible. Images flooded her mind—Old Zhang, her mother, a little sparrow, a young boy… She was uncertain whether she would survive or what the future held.
The ambulance arrived swiftly, and Ahua was rushed to the hospital. After intense efforts to save her, her life was temporarily secured, but her injuries were severe, requiring long-term treatment and rehabilitation. The young boy, upon hearing the news of Ahua's accident, was frantic. He rushed to the hospital and stood by Ahua's bedside, silently shedding tears.
Ahua remained in a coma for an extended period; her body was extremely frail, and they could not afford the hospital bills. The old beggar learned from the boy that Ahua was from Twenty Li Pile, and he had also heard that a woman had inquired about her.
However, Ahua's condition did not improve; it worsened instead. The doctor informed the old beggar and the boy that Ahua's health was critically weak and she might not last much longer. The boy's heart sank at this news; he felt utterly helpless.
Just when Ahua's life hung by a thread, her mother suddenly appeared. The old beggar had spent those days searching for her. Over the years, Ahua's mother had been working away from home; since Old Zhang's passing, she had led a nomadic life while searching for Ahua. Upon learning of Ahua's accident from the old beggar, she rushed to the hospital.
Seeing Ahua lying in the hospital bed brought tears streaming down her face. She regretted her earlier decision; if she hadn't left, Ahua wouldn't have suffered so much.
With her mother by her side, Ahua spent her final days. Though weak, a smile of happiness graced her face. She knew she had finally found her mother and the warmth she had longed for.
Yet fate proved to be cruel. On a tranquil night, Ahua closed her eyes forever. Her life vanished like that once-flying sparrow into the vast night sky.
Ahua's story circulated in Twenty Li Pile for a long time; people remembered the kind-hearted, brave girl who loved life.
Though her fate was fraught with hardship, she never gave up on pursuing a beautiful life. Her story inspired others to cherish their present lives and to care for those in need.
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