To Our Lost Childhood (Yesterday's Stars)
Time flies, it seems like only a blink of an eye, nearing fifty. It's a time to accept destiny, yet I still feel like I haven't grown up. I always think back to the past – those days were poor but filled with joy.
As a child, I often sat by the stove, watching my mother cook for us, helping her stir the pot. Back then, my mother was so young and full of love for me. But now, my mother is gone, and I can only see her in my dreams…
In my childhood, life was tough, but joy was never lacking. This is one of the games we often played – 'Blind Man's Bluff.' People of that era all played it. Seeing this brings back memories of me and my friend back then.
This is a game often played by young boys – 'Chicken Game.' It's a test of strength and intelligence; brute force alone isn't enough.
This is another game we often played – 'Jump Over the Sheep.' After school, with little homework, we'd throw our backpacks down and play until the sun set before reluctantly heading home.
This is also a frequently done thing by our friends. Every summer and autumn, various fruits ripened one after another, with peaches ripening first, followed by pears, pomegranates, dates, persimmons, mulberries, and other fruits maturing in different seasons. Climbing the trees to pick fruit was our specialty.
In the summer, we didn't have refrigerators, and the only way to cool down was with five-penny ice sticks. They were so sweet, so cool, so refreshing. Now, even the most delicious ice cream can't compare to the taste of that time.
Old Man Catching Chickens – this game is suitable for multiple people to play, regardless of gender, and it's the most fun.
Time rushes by. The young man I once was is now gray-haired and has become a grandfather. But I still long for my youth – time to play, and my mother's arms to lean on. Now, I can only see all this in my dreams and memories.
My childhood, my dream…
