Colorful years

Grandpa's love for the suona was not accidental, but rather had a unique and profound historical background.

When my grandfather was young, there lived a highly respected elder in the village. This elder was renowned for his superb suona playing skills.

Whenever the village celebrates a major festival or joyous occasion, he would gladly take out his beloved suona and play a cheerful, exciting, and moving melody.

That unique sound seems to possess a magical power, easily igniting the joy hidden deep within people's hearts. Whether young or old, men or women, anyone who hears this melodious suona will involuntarily reveal a smile.

I remember one Spring Festival, the whole village was immersed in a joyful and peaceful atmosphere. The village held an unprecedentedly grand celebration, with lanterns and decorations everywhere, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

At that time, Grandpa was just an innocent and ignorant child. He happily followed the bustling crowd, looking around with great curiosity.

Suddenly, a loud and clear suona horn rang out, piercing the sky like a thunderclap and going straight into Grandpa's ears.

The sound was crisp, melodious, bright, and pleasant to hear, like a clear, sweet spring flowing gently in the quiet mountains; or like a strong, powerful gust of wind howling across the vast plains.

Grandpa was immediately captivated by the soul-stirring sound. He disregarded everything else and involuntarily took steps, walking quickly in the direction from which the sound came.

Soon, he finally arrived at the source of the sound.

The old man playing the suona stood steadily in the center of the crowd, his expression extremely focused, his eyes slightly closed, as if he had become one with the suona in his hands.

The old man's hands moved nimbly and swiftly across the sound holes of the suona, each press and release perfectly timed, allowing the beautiful melody to flow continuously from the suona.

At the same time, a blissful expression of immersion appeared on the old man's weathered face, as if he had forgotten all the noise and disturbances around him and was completely absorbed in this musical feast.

Grandpa stood there blankly, staring unblinkingly at the suona in the old man's hands, a strange excitement and longing welling up in his heart.

At that moment, Grandpa felt as if he had entered a completely new world. The resounding melody of the suona stirred ripples in his heart, giving him an unprecedented sense of awe and emotion.

For the first time, he discovered that a small musical instrument could produce such beautiful and powerful sounds.

After the event, Grandpa was deeply moved. The sound of the suona seemed to linger in his ears, impossible to shake off.

He developed a strong interest in the suona and would often recall its beautiful melody in his spare time.

Grandpa felt that the suona was not just a musical instrument, but more like a companion with which one could confide one's feelings and express emotions.

Its voice can convey joy and sorrow; it can celebrate new life and remember the past.

From that day on, Grandpa's connection with the suona began quietly, and this first encounter became an unforgettable and beautiful memory in his life.

My grandfather was a man of many talents; tailoring and playing the suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) were two skills that occupied an important place in his life.

My grandfather's experience learning tailoring and garment making was full of hardships.

In those days of scarcity, in order to master this craft, my grandfather often went to the tailor shop in town to secretly observe the tailors' cutting techniques and sewing skills.

He saved every penny he had to buy fabric and practice repeatedly at home.

At night, under the dim light of an oil lamp, Grandpa's figure appeared exceptionally focused. Every stitch, every cut, was imbued with his heart and soul.

Through long-term exploration and practice, Grandpa's tailoring and garment-making skills became increasingly refined. The clothes he made were not only novel in style, but also had fine stitches and were sturdy and durable.

This craft not only saved the family money, but also earned Grandpa a good reputation in the village. Neighbors and villagers all liked to have clothes made by him.

Grandpa's learning to play the suona stemmed from a chance encounter. At a rural market, he was captivated by the wonderful performance of a suona player.

The rousing and cheerful melody seemed to penetrate people's hearts, immersing Grandpa in it so much that he couldn't pull himself away.

From then on, Grandpa was determined to learn to play the suona. He inquired about the residences of suona players everywhere, visited them, and humbly sought their guidance.

When he first started learning, Grandpa's playing was always intermittent, and he couldn't get the pitch right.

But he never gave up and would run to the grove at the edge of the village to practice every morning.

After years of perseverance and hard work, Grandpa was finally able to skillfully play various beautiful tunes.

Tailoring and sewing allowed Grandpa to create warmth and dignity for his family with his own hands, while playing the suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) provided solace and comfort to his soul.

In Grandpa's life, these two crafts complemented each other. On ordinary days, Grandpa was busy with his sewing business in the tailor shop; during festivals, he would pick up his suona and play cheerful music for everyone.

These two skills were not only the means for my grandfather to make a living, but also his way of expressing love and affection, becoming an indispensable part of his life.

In the countryside, hosting a banquet is a big event, and the suona plays a crucial role in it.

Whenever there is a happy occasion, such as a wedding, the sound of the suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) always begins early. Its cheerful and bright melody seems to announce the arrival of happiness to the entire village.