Colorful years

"Congcong, wake up! Do you want to herd cattle with Grandpa?" Zhang Quan sat on the edge of the bed, looking at his sleeping grandson with kind eyes and calling out softly.

Usually, Grandpa would call Congcong three times. If Congcong still didn't wake up, then he would have to go herd the cattle by himself.

In rural farmhouses, the rooster's crowing is the signal to wake up. Every day before dawn, the rooster begins to crow.

After a long period of observation and reflection, Congcong gradually summarized an interesting pattern:

When my father was the production team leader, he would get up in a hurry as soon as the rooster crowed for the second time, and then urge the commune members to get to work.

Now that Daddy is no longer the production team leader, he naturally doesn't need to get up so early to call for workers anymore.

Strangely, my father started getting up even earlier than before, because he had to go to the Zhangjiajie State-owned Forest Farm every day to collect pine resin.

Mom would also get up with Dad. She had a lot to do. First, she would heat up Dad's food to make sure he was full before he went out.

In addition, she also carefully prepared a lunch for her father, wrapped it in a cloth and placed it next to him so that he could take it out and eat whenever he got hungry on the road.

During this time, Congcong is often still asleep, with a sweet smile on her lips.

But Grandpa was different; he woke up when his son and daughter-in-law got up.

After the rooster in the coop crows three times, the sky begins to lighten, and Grandpa gets up on time to herd the cattle.

Since Congcong and his grandfather started sleeping in the same bed, their relationship has become even closer.

Congcong not only enjoys listening to his grandfather tell those wonderful stories, but also enthusiastically goes with his grandfather to herd cattle.

Congcong is a light sleeper and is easily startled awake.

Whenever he heard his grandfather call softly, he would immediately spring up and sit up quickly, rubbing his sleepy eyes with his little hands, and eagerly ask, "Grandpa, are we going to herd the cattle?"

"Yes, Congcong, if you want to go, hurry up!" Grandpa replied with a smile.

After saying that, Grandpa took the lead and walked towards the cowshed, preparing to lead out the big water buffalo.

Seeing this, Congcong hurriedly dressed, not even bothering to tie his shoes properly, and jumped off the bed, running barefoot straight to the Sky Tower at the front door.

Normally, Congcong washes up in the small river on the west side of the village.

When Congcong arrived at the Tianjin Tower, panting, his grandfather was already leading the big water buffalo over.

This ox had glossy black fur and was very strong. It was a master at plowing and tilling the fields in the production team, easily plowing seven or eight acres of land a day!

This water buffalo is over two meters long and over 1.6 meters tall; its massive body gives people a sense of oppression.

Its four hooves are thick and strong, and each step it takes leaves a deep hoofprint on the ground. These hoofprints are as big as the mouth of a large bowl, as if proclaiming its power and majesty.

The water buffalo has a pair of huge horns on either side of its head, which spiral into a semi-circle. The horns are sharp and pointed, and are only a little over a foot apart, which is quite intimidating.

Early morning, when the sun has just risen and the morning light shines on the earth, is the best time to graze cattle.

Grandpa would usually lead the cow to the flood control embankment or the sandy beach by the river.

These places are covered with lush and tender weeds, like a green ocean, exuding a refreshing fragrance.

In this season, the grass is fresh and juicy, allowing the cattle to enjoy their meal to their heart's content.

They lowered their heads and gently rolled up the tender grass on the ground with their tongues, the sounds of chewing and swallowing intertwining to create a beautiful pastoral symphony.

The cows grazed happily, as if this meadow were their paradise.

Moreover, the weeds here grow very lushly, so even after the cattle have grazed on them, there's no need to worry about them going hungry. A few days later, the grazed weeds will sprout new shoots again, thanks to the nourishment of sunshine and rain.

The power of nature is truly amazing; it always gives life and vitality to all things.

In this way, the cattle have a continuous supply of fresh food and do not have to worry about famine.

Grandpa carefully picked up Congcong and placed him on the cow's back. The little guy was extremely happy sitting on it, because the cow's back was very thick and comfortable.