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三
Podcasts Worksheets Reader
yí gè
一个
a
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
gǎibiàn
改变
change
le
了
[past tense marker]
māma
妈妈
mom
de
的
's
mìngyùn
命运
fate
A Teacher Changed My Mother's Fate
2026年1月19日
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tīngzhòng
听众
listener
péngyou men
朋友们
friends
dàjiā
大家
everyone
hǎo
好
hello
-
！
!
zài
在
in
zhè
这
this
yì qī
一期
episode
de
的
of
jiémù
节目
program
li
里
inside
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
jìxù
继续
continue
hé
和
with
dàjiā
大家
everyone
fēnxiǎng
分享
share
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mom
xiǎoshíhòu
小时候
childhood
de
的
(possessive)
gùshi
故事
stories
-
。
.
Hello, dear listeners! In this episode, I will continue sharing stories from my mom's childhood with you.
mā ma
妈妈
mom
de
的
's
xiǎoxué
小学
elementary school
-
，
,
měi xuéqī
每学期
every semester
shōu
收
charge
yí kuài qián
一块钱
one yuan
de
的
's
xuéfèi
学费
tuition
-
。
.
dànshì
但是
but
jiù suàn shì
就算是
even that
zhè
这
this
yí kuài qián
一块钱
one yuan
de
的
's
xuéfèi
学费
tuition
-
，
,
mā ma
妈妈
mom
dú
读
attended
yì niánjí
一年级
first grade
shí
时
when
-
，
,
yě shì
也是
also was
wàipó
外婆
grandma
xiàng
向
towards
línjū
邻居
neighbors
jiè
借
borrowed
de
的
-
-
。
.
wàipó
外婆
grandma
shuō
说
said
-
，
,
wúlùn rúhé
无论如何
no matter what
-
，
,
yě yào
也要
also must
ràng
让
let
mā ma
妈妈
mom
shàngxué
上学
go to school
-
。
.
zìjǐ
自己
oneself
méi
没
not have
wénhuà
文化
education
-
，
,
báibái
白白
in vain
chī le
吃了
endured
hěn duō kǔ
很多苦
many hardships
-
，
,
bù néng
不能
cannot
zài
再
again
ràng
让
let
zìjǐ de
自己的
own
nǚ'ér
女儿
daughter
shòu
受
suffer
zhège kǔ
这个苦
this hardship
le
了
(particle)
-
。
.
hē
喝
drink
zhōu
粥
porridge
jǐnguǎn
尽管
even though
hē zhōu
喝粥
drink porridge
-
，
,
xué
学
study
shì
是
is
yídìng
一定
certainly
yào
要
must
shàng de
上的
attend
-
。
.
Mom's elementary school charged one yuan for tuition each semester. But even for that one yuan tuition when Mom was in first grade, Grandma had to borrow it from neighbors. Grandma said no matter what, Mom must go to school. She had no education herself and endured many hardships for nothing, so she couldn't let her daughter suffer the same. They could drink porridge as much as they wanted, but going to school was an absolute must.


dànshì
但是
but
zài
在
at
māma
妈妈
Mom
dú wán
读完
finish reading
chūzhōng
初中
junior high
èr niánjí
二年级
second year
yǐhòu
以后
after
-
，
,
wàigōng
外公
Grandpa (maternal)
wàipó
外婆
Grandma (maternal)
lúnliú
轮流
take turns
shēngbìng
生病
fall ill
-
，
,
yí gè rén
一个人
one person
gāng
刚
just
shēng wán bìng
生完病
recovered from illness
-
，
,
lìng yí gè rén
另一个人
the other person
yòu
又
again
shēngbìng
生病
fell ill
dǎoxià le
倒下了
collapsed
-
。
.
jiā li
家里
family
zài yě
再也
no longer
ná bù chū
拿不出
able to pay
xuéfèi
学费
tuition
le
了
(completed action)
-
，
,
jiè
借
borrow
yě
也
also
méi fǎ
没法
no way
jiè
借
borrow
le
了
(completed action)
-
，
,
zhǐ néng
只能
could only
tíng xué
停学
stop schooling
-
。
.
But after Mom finished the second year of middle school, Grandma and Grandpa took turns being sick. No sooner had one recovered than the other would fall ill and collapse. The family could no longer afford the tuition, and since borrowing wasn't an option anymore, she had to drop out of school.


mā ma de
妈妈的
Mom's
bān zhǔ rèn
班主任
homeroom teacher
lǎo shī
老师
teacher
jué de
觉得
thought
mā ma
妈妈
Mom
cōng ming
聪明
smart
-
，
,
wù xìng
悟性
quick to learn
hǎo
好
good
-
，
,
shì kuài
是块
is a piece of
dú shū de liào
读书的料
study-material
-
，
,
zhè me zǎo chuò xué
这么早辍学
dropping out so early
hěn
很
very
kě xī
可惜
a pity
-
。
.
lǎo shī
老师
The teacher
zhǎo dào le
找到了
found
wǒ
我
my
mā ma jiā
妈妈家
Mom's home
-
，
,
nǔ lì
努力
worked hard
shuō fú
说服
to persuade
wǒ
我
my
wài pó
外婆
Grandma
-
，
,
ràng
让
let
wǒ
我
my
mā
妈
Mom
jì xù
继续
continue
shàng xué
上学
attending school
-
。
.
Mom's homeroom teacher thought Mom was smart and had a gift for studying. It was a real pity that she dropped out so early. The teacher came to my Mom's house and worked hard to convince my Grandma to keep her in school.
zài
在
at
zhè biān
这边
here
-
，
,
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
zhǔdòng
主动
take initiative
shàng mén
上门
visit (someone's door)
dào
到
to
xuéshēng
学生
student
jiā
家
home
-
，
,
liǎojiě
了解
understand
xuéshēng
学生
student
jiātíng
家庭
family
zhuàngkuàng
状况
sit uation
-
，
,
wǒmen
我们
we
chēng zhī wéi
称之为
call it
jiā fǎng
家访
home visit
-
。
.
In China, the teacher takes the initiative to visit students' homes to understand their family situations; we call this a home visit.


wǒ
我
I
zài
在
in
Jiānádà
加拿大
Canada
cónglái méiyǒu
从来没有
never have
tīngshuō guò
听说过
heard of
jiāfǎng
家访
home visit
-
，
,
dànshì
但是
but
zài
在
in
Zhōngguó
中国
China
-
，
,
jiāfǎng
家访
home visit
hěn
很
very
chángjiàn
常见
common
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
dú
读
attended
yòu'éryuán
幼儿园
kindergarten
hé
和
and
xiǎoxué
小学
elementary school
de shíhòu
的时候
when
yě
也
also
yǒu
有
have
lǎoshī
老师
teachers
lái
来
come
jiāfǎng
家访
home visits
-
。
.
wǒ
我
I
shàng ge yuè
上个月
last month
huíguó
回国
returned to China
-
，
,
yí ge
一个
a
zài
在
at
yínháng
银行
bank
li
里
in
gōngzuò
工作
working
de
的
(possessive)
hǎo péngyǒu
好朋友
good friend
gàosu wǒ
告诉我
told me
-
，
,
tā
她
her
de
的
(possessive)
shàngsi
上司
boss
yě
也
also
qù
去
went to
tā jiā
她家
her home
jiāfǎng
家访
visit
-
。
.
zhè zhǒng
这种
this kind of
gōngzuò
工作
work
shàng
上
related
de
的
(possessive)
jiāfǎng
家访
home visit
wǒ
我
I
jiù
就
just
wúfǎ
无法
cannot
lǐjiě
理解
understand
le
了
(particle)
-
。
.
yīnwèi
因为
because
wǒ
我
I
suǒ
所
that which
jiēchù dào
接触到
have encountered
de
的
(possessive)
Jiānádà
加拿大
Canada
de
的
(possessive)
gōngzuò huánjìng
工作环境
work environment
li
里
inside
-
，
,
yìbān
一般
generally
gōngzuò
工作
work
hé
和
and
sīrén shēnghuó
私人生活
personal life
shì
是
are
bǐjiào
比较
relatively
fēnlí
分离
separate
de
的
(particle)
-
。
.
wǒ juéde
我觉得
I think
-
，
,
cǎifǎng
采访
interview
wǒ
我
me
de
的
(possessive)
duìxiàng
对象
subjects
-
，
,
hái yǒu
还有
and also
kàn
看
looking at
wǒ
我
my
jiā yǒu duō dà
家有多大
home size
-
，
,
duìyú
对于
for
pínggū
评估
evaluating
wǒ
我
my
de
的
(possessive)
gōngzuò nénglì
工作能力
work capability
méiyǒu
没有
does not have
shénme
什么
much
zuòyòng
作用
effect
-
。
.
I've never heard of home visits in Canada, but in China, they're very common. When I was in kindergarten and elementary school, teachers would come for home visits too. Last month when I went back to China, a good friend who works at a bank told me her boss also visited her home. I just can't understand this kind of work-related home visit. In the Canadian work environments I've experienced, work and personal life are generally kept separate. I think interviewing me and checking out how big my home is wouldn't be useful for evaluating my work performance.


qù
去
go
māma
妈妈
Mom
jiā
家
home
jiāfǎng
家访
home visit
de
的
(possessive particle)
bānzhǔrèn
班主任
homeroom teacher
-
，
,
shì
是
is
gè
个
a
chéng lǐ
城里
city
lái
来
come
de
的
(adjective particle)
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
-
。
.
kàn dào
看到
seeing
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
cóng
从
from
dì li
地里
the field
pǎo lái
跑来
run over
-
，
,
zāng xī xī de
脏兮兮的
dirty all over
-
，
,
yì shēn
一身
covered all over
ní tǔ
泥土
mud
-
，
,
xiàng gè
像个
like a
xiǎo ní rén
小泥人
little mud doll
-
，
,
chuān zhe
穿着
wearing
pò pò de
破破的
torn
yīfu
衣服
clothes
-
，
,
xīn shēng
心生
felt
lián xī
怜惜
pity
-
，
,
juéde
觉得
thought
tā
她
she
hěn
很
very
kělián
可怜
poor
-
。
.
The headteacher who came to visit Mom's home was from the city. Seeing my mom running over from the field, dirty all over, covered in mud and looking like a little clay figurine, wearing torn clothes, the teacher felt immense pity.


nàge shíhòu
那个时候
that time
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
mā ma
妈妈
mom
hé
和
and
jiù jiu
舅舅
uncle
yì nián
一年
one year
zhǐ yǒu
只有
only have
guò nián
过年
New Year
de
的
’s
shí hòu
时候
time
zuò
做
make
yí tào
一套
a set
xīn yī fu
新衣服
new clothes
-
。
.
píngrì li
平日里
on ordinary days
yě jiù
也就
just
zhème
这么
this
yí tào
一套
a set
yī fu
衣服
clothes
-
，
,
zāng le
脏了
dirty
jiù
就
then
xǐ
洗
wash
-
，
,
děng
等
wait
gān le
干了
dry
zài
再
again
chuān
穿
wear
-
。
.
gàn nóng huó
干农活
do farm work
de shí hou
的时候
time
-
，
,
jiù
就
then
chuān
穿
wear
bǔ guò
补过
patched
de
的
’s
jiù yī fu
旧衣服
old clothes
-
。
.
píngrì li
平日里
on ordinary days
zhè tào
这套
this set
xīn yī fu
新衣服
new clothes
shì
是
is
shě bù dé
舍不得
reluctant to wear
chuān
穿
wear
de
的
(particle)
-
，
,
xià dì
下地
go to the field
de
的
(particle)
shí hou
时候
time
gèng
更
even more
bú yòng shuō
不用说
no need to say
le
了
(particle)
-
。
.
Back then, my mom and uncle only received a new outfit once a year for the New Year. Usually, they only had that one outfit, which they'd wash when it got dirty and wear again once it was dry. For farm work, they'd wear patched-up old clothes. They saved that new outfit for special occasions and definitely didn't wear it while working in the fields.
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
zài
再
again
kàn
看
look
wǒ
我
my
mā jiā
妈家
mom's family
de
的
's
fángzi
房子
house
-
，
,
shì
是
is
hěnjiǔ yǐqián
很久以前
a long time ago
gài de
盖的
built
lǎo fángzi
老房子
old house
-
，
,
kěnéng
可能
probably
shì
是
is
yéye de yéye
爷爷的爷爷
grandfather's grandfather
nà shíhòu
那时候
at that time
chuán xiàlái de
传下来的
passed down
ba
吧
(particle)
-
。
.
wài qiáng
外墙
outer wall
shì
是
is
shítou
石头
stone
dā chéng de
搭成的
built
-
。
.
nèi qiáng
内墙
inner wall
shì
是
is
zhúzi
竹子
bamboo
-
，
,
nítǔ
泥土
mud
hé
和
and
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
hùnhé ér chéng de
混合而成的
mixed and made
-
。
.
qiáng shàng
墙上
on the wall
fěnshuā de
粉刷的
plastered
shíhuī
石灰
lime
yǐjīng
已经
already
tuōluò
脱落
fallen off
-
，
,
lùchū
露出
expose
lǐmiàn
里面
inside
zhīchēng de
支撑的
supporting
zhúzi
竹子
bamboo
-
。
.
qiáng
墙
wall
shì
是
is
bùnéng
不能
cannot
kào de
靠的
lean on
-
，
,
bùrán
不然
otherwise
jiù
就
then
dǎo le
倒了
collapse
-
。
.
The teacher then saw my mom's family's house. It was a very old house built a long time ago, probably passed down from her great-great-grandfather's time. The outer walls were made of stone. The inner walls were made from bamboo, mixed with mud and straw. The lime plaster on the walls had peeled off, revealing the bamboo supports inside. You couldn't lean on the walls, or they would collapse.
jiā li
家里
at home
yě jiù
也就
only
yì zhāng
一张
one (classifier for flat objects)
chuáng
床
bed
-
——
—
yì zhāng
一张
one (classifier)
lǎoshì de
老式的
old-fashioned
mù chuáng
木床
wooden bed
-
。
.
māma
妈妈
Mom
xiǎo de
小的
small/young
shíhou
时候
time
yì jiā rén
一家人
whole family
gòngyòng
共用
share
yì zhāng
一张
one (classifier)
chuáng
床
bed
-
。
.
hòulái
后来
later
zhǎng dà le
长大了
grew up
zài
在
on
dì shàng
地上
the ground
diàn
垫
put padding
dàocǎo
稻草
straw
-
，
,
zài
在
on
dàocǎo shang
稻草上
straw on top
tān zhe
摊着
spread out
xízi
席子
mats
shuìjiào
睡觉
sleep
-
。
.
wūzi
屋子
room
zhōngjiān
中间
middle
zhǐ yǒu
只有
only have
yì zhāng
一张
one (classifier)
xiǎo
小
small
yuán zhuō
圆桌
round table
-
，
,
quán jiā
全家
whole family
chīfàn
吃饭
eat
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
zuò
做
do
zhēnxiàn huó
针线活
sewing work
-
，
,
háizi
孩子
children
xiě zuòyè
写作业
do homework
quán
全
all
zài
在
at
zhèli
这里
here
-
。
.
jiā li
家里
at home
hái
还
also
yǎng le
养了
raise
jī
鸡
chickens
-
，
,
yǒu
有
there is
yí dì
一地
an area
de
的
(possessive)
jī shǐ
鸡屎
chicken droppings
-
。
.
There was only one bed in the house—an old-fashioned wooden bed. When Mom was little, the whole family shared one bed. Later, as she grew older, they laid straw on the ground and slept on mats placed over it. In the middle of the room, there was only a small round table where the whole family ate, where Grandma did sewing, and where the kids did their homework. They also raised chickens at home, so the ground was covered in chicken poop.


bānzhǔrèn
班主任
class teacher
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
kàndào
看到
see
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mom
jiā
家
family/home
zhème
这么
so
qióng
穷
poor
-
，
,
bù rěnxīn
不忍心
cannot bear
kàndào
看到
to see
wǒ
我
my
māma
妈妈
mom
tuìxué
退学
drop out
-
，
,
tā
她
she
xiàng
向
to
xiàozhǎng
校长
principal
shēnqǐng
申请
apply
-
，
,
zuìhòu
最后
in the end
xiàozhǎng
校长
principal
jiǎnmiǎn
减免
waive/reduce
le
了
(past)
wǒ māma
我妈妈
my mom
chūzhōng
初中
junior high
èr niánjí
二年级
second year
hé
和
and
chūzhōng
初中
junior high
sān niánjí
三年级
third year
de
的
(possession)
xuéfèi
学费
tuition
-
。
.
kuài dào
快到
almost at
bìyè kǎo
毕业考
graduation exam
de shíhòu
的时候
time/when
-
，
,
yě jiù shì
也就是
that is
chūzhōng
初中
junior high
shēng gāozhōng
升高中
advance to high school
de
的
(possession)
kǎoshì
考试
exam
-
，
,
xiàozhǎng
校长
principal
hái
还
still/also
qiāoqiāo
悄悄
quietly
gěi
给
give
le
了
(past)
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
qián
钱
money
-
，
,
ràng
让
let
tā
她
her
mǎi diǎn
买点
buy some
hǎo de
好的
good/nice
fàncài
饭菜
meals/dishes
-
。
.
When the headteacher saw how poor my mother's family was, she couldn't bear to see her drop out. She appealed to the principal, who eventually waived my mother's tuition for both the second and third years of middle school. When the graduation exam was approaching—that is, the exam for entering high school—the principal secretly slipped my mom some money to buy some decent food.


chū zhōng
初中
middle school
shēng xué
升学
enter school
kǎo shì
考试
exam
jié shù
结束
end
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
mā ma
妈妈
mom
kǎo de
考得
took exam
hěn hǎo
很好
very good
-
，
,
fēn shù
分数
score
hěn gāo
很高
very high
-
，
,
shàng le
上了
reached
zhōng zhuān
中专
vocational school
de
的
of
fēn shù xiàn
分数线
score line
-
。
.
shī fàn xué xiào
师范学校
teachers' college
-
，
,
shì
是
is
péi xùn
培训
training
lǎo shī
老师
teacher
de
的
's
xué xiào
学校
school
-
，
,
xué shēng
学生
student
jiāng lái
将来
in the future
bì yè
毕业
graduate
dāng
当
become
lǎo shī
老师
teacher
-
。
.
The high school entrance exam ended. My mom did very well and met the cutoff score for vocational schools. A teachers' college is a training school for teachers, where students graduate to become teachers in the future.


bā shí nián dài
八十年代
eight ten decade
de
的
-'s
shí hou
时候
time
-
，
,
guó jiā
国家
country
zhòng shì
重视
attach importance to
jiào shī
教师
teacher
zī yuán
资源
resources
de
的
-'s
péi yǎng
培养
cultivation
-
。
.
liù qī shí nián dài
六七十年代
sixty seventy decade
wén huà dà gé mìng
文化大革命
Cultural Revolution
dǎ yā
打压
suppress
le
了
[past tense marker]
yuán yǒu de
原有的
original
lǎo shī
老师
teachers
-
，
,
yě
也
also
méi yǒu
没有
did not
péi yǎng
培养
train
xīn de
新的
new
lǎo shī
老师
teachers
-
。
.
wén huà dà gé mìng
文化大革命
Cultural Revolution
jié shù hòu
结束后
after ended
-
，
,
Zhōng guó
中国
China
de
的
-'s
jiào yù xì tǒng
教育系统
education system
zài
在
in
bā shí nián dài
八十年代
1980s
yòu
又
again
fā zhǎn
发展
developed
le
了
[completed action]
qǐ lai
起来
start
-
，
,
dú shū de
读书的
studying
hái zi
孩子
children
biàn duō le
变多了
became more
-
，
,
suǒ yǐ
所以
so
dǎo zhì
导致
led to
lǎo shī
老师
teachers
bú gòu
不够
not enough
-
。
.
guó jiā
国家
state
tí gāo
提高
raise
lǎo shī
老师
teachers
dài yù
待遇
treatment
-
，
,
shī fàn xué xiào
师范学校
teachers' colleges
bù shōu
不收
not charge
xué fèi
学费
tuition fees
-
，
,
měi gè
每个
every
xué shēng
学生
student
hái yǒu
还有
also have
shēng huó fèi bǔ zhù
生活费补助
living expense subsidies
-
。
.
jiāng lái
将来
in the future
shī fàn bì yè hòu
师范毕业后
after teachers' college graduation
-
，
,
guó jiā
国家
state
hái huì
还会
will also
ān pái
安排
arrange
gōng zuò
工作
jobs
-
。
.
In the 1980s, the country focused on training teachers. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s and 70s, existing teachers were marginalized, and no new teachers were trained. After the Cultural Revolution ended, China's education system began to recover in the 1980s. As more children went to school, it led to a teacher shortage. To address this, the state improved teachers' compensation: teachers' colleges charged no tuition, and each student received a living allowance. Upon graduation, the state would also guarantee them a job placement.


zhè
这
this
duì
对
to
wǒ
我
my
mā
妈
mom
láishuō
来说
regarding
tài hǎo le
太好了
was too good
-
，
,
àn
按
according to
tā
她
her
de
的
's
jiājìng
家境
family situation
-
，
,
nǎ yǒu
哪有
how would there be
qián
钱
money
dú
读
to attend
gāozhōng
高中
high school
-
，
,
dú
读
attending
shīfàn
师范
teachers' college
zhèng hǎo
正好
just right
-
，
,
zhèyàng
这样
thus
yě jiù
也就
also then
jiǎn diào le
减掉了
reduced
yīn
因
due to
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
shàngxué
上学
attending school
gěi
给
to
wàigōng wàipó
外公外婆
maternal grandfather and grandmother
dài lái
带来
brought
de
的
(possessive)
jīngjì shàng
经济上
financially
de
的
(possessive)
fùdān
负担
burden
-
。
.
érqiě
而且
moreover
-
，
,
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
jiānglái
将来
in the future
zìjǐ
自己
herself
dāng le
当了
becomes
lǎoshī
老师
teacher
-
，
,
yě
也
also
kěyǐ
可以
can
xiàng
像
like
tā de
她的
her
lǎoshī
老师
teachers
yíyàng
一样
the same
qù
去
to
huíbào
回报
give back
gèng duō de
更多的
more
xuéshēng
学生
students
-
。
.
This was amazing for my Mom. Given her family's financial situation, there was no way she could afford high school. Attending teachers' college was just the perfect fit. It also eased the financial burden my grandparents faced because of her schooling. Also, when my Mom would become a teacher herself, she could give back to many more students, just like how her own teachers had done for her.
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
kǎo jìn
考进
pass into
shīfàn
师范
teacher's college
shì
是
is
yí jiàn
一件
a (measure word)
dà xǐ shì
大喜事
great joy event
-
。
.
shí lǐ bā xiāng
十里八乡
ten miles eight villages
néng
能
can
kǎo jìn
考进
pass into
shīfàn de
师范的
teacher's college
fèng máo lín jiǎo
凤毛麟角
extremely rare
-
，
,
fēicháng shǎo
非常少
very few
-
，
,
yīnwèi
因为
because
néng
能
can
kǎo rù
考入
pass into
shīfàn xuéxiào de
师范学校的
teacher's college
xuésheng
学生
students
-
，
,
wǎngwǎng
往往
often
shì
是
are
yí gè
一个
a
xuéxiào
学校
school
zhěng gè niánjí li
整个年级里
entire grade in
chéngjì
成绩
grades
zuì hǎo de
最好的
best
liǎng sān míng
两三名
two or three
xuésheng
学生
students
zhī yī
之一
one of
-
。
.
kǎo rù zhī hòu
考入之后
after admission
-
，
,
xuésheng de
学生的
students'
hùkǒu
户口
household registration
yě
也
also
cóng
从
from
nóngcūn
农村
countryside
qiān rù
迁入
move into
chéngshì
城市
city
-
。
.
It brought everyone extreme joy when my mom was accepted into the teachers' college. In the local villages, only a handful of students could get into the teachers' college because usually those who were admitted were among the top two or three students in their entire grade at school. After starting school, the students' hukou (household residency registration) would also get transferred from the countryside to the city.


zhè shí
这时
this time
yì bān
一般
usually
xiàng
像
like
zhè yàng de
这样的
this kind of
xué shēng
学生
student
jiā li
家里
family
huì
会
would
zài
在
at
fàn diàn li
饭店里
restaurant
dìng
订
book
yì zhuō fàn cài
一桌饭菜
a table of food
-
，
,
qǐng
请
invite
hái zi
孩子
child
de
的
's
lǎo shī
老师
teacher
lái chī
来吃
to come eat
-
。
.
dàn shì
但是
but
wǒ mā
我妈
my mom
de
的
's
bān zhǔ rèn lǎo shī
班主任老师
headteacher
jù jué le
拒绝了
refused
wài pó
外婆
grandma
de
的
's
zhè yí dùn fàn
这一顿饭
this meal
-
。
.
tā bù rěn xīn
她不忍心
she couldn't bear
lái chī
来吃
to come eat
-
，
,
wài pó jiā
外婆家
grandma's family
shí zài tài qióng le
实在太穷了
was really too poor
-
。
.
wài pó
外婆
grandma
mǎi le
买了
bought
táng
糖
candy
hé
和
and
yān
烟
cigarettes
zuò wéi
作为
as
lǐ wù
礼物
gifts
-
，
,
kě shì
可是
but
lǎo shī
老师
teacher
yě
也
also
bù shōu
不收
did not accept
-
，
,
ràng
让
told
wài pó
外婆
grandma
bǎ
把
(structural particle)
táng hé yān
糖和烟
candy and cigarettes
tuì huí
退回
return
dào
到
to
shāng diàn li qù
商店里去
the store
-
。
.
Usually, at this time, families with students like this would book a table at a restaurant and invite the child's teacher to join the celebratory meal. But my mom's headteacher refused Grandma's invitation to this meal. She couldn't bear to eat there because Grandma's family was really too poor. Grandma bought candies and cigarettes as gifts, but the teacher wouldn't accept them either and told Grandma to return them to the store.


yě
也
also
jiù
就
then
zài
在
at
nà nián
那年
that year
xiàtiān
夏天
summer
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
hé
和
and
māma
妈妈
Mom
tái le
抬了
carried
zìjǐ
自己
their own
zhòng de
种的
grown
dà xīgua
大西瓜
big watermelon
qù
去
to
sòng dào
送到
deliver to
xuéxiào li
学校里
in school
qù
去
go
-
。
.
xīguā
西瓜
watermelon
hěn
很
very
zhòng
重
heavy
-
，
,
wàipó
外婆
Grandma
hé
和
and
māma
妈妈
Mom
niáng liǎ
娘俩
the two women
tái zhe
抬着
carrying
xīgua
西瓜
watermelon
-
，
,
búduàn de
不断地
continuously
huàn
换
switch
jiānbǎng
肩膀
shoulders
-
，
,
zǒu le
走了
walked
tíng
停
stop
-
，
,
tíng le
停了
stopped
zǒu
走
walk
-
。
.
xuéxiào
学校
school
hěn
很
very
yuǎn
远
far
-
，
,
jùlí
距离
distance
jiā
家
home
yǒu
有
has
wǔ liù
五六
five or six
gōnglǐ
公里
kilometers
-
。
.
That same summer, Grandma and Mom carried the watermelons they grew themselves to the school. The watermelons were very heavy, so Grandma and Mom took turns carrying them on their shoulders, walking a bit, then resting, then walking again. The school was quite far, about five to six kilometers from home.
mā ma
妈妈
mom
zài
在
attend
shī fàn
师范
normal school
li
里
inside
-
，
,
měi gè yuè
每个月
every month
kě yǐ
可以
can
lǐng dào
领到
receive
shí wǔ kuài qián
15块钱
15 yuan
de
的
(possessive particle)
shēng huó fèi
生活费
living expenses
-
。
.
shí wǔ yuán qián
15元钱
15 yuan
de
的
(possessive particle)
shēng huó fèi
生活费
living expenses
kě hǎo le
可好了
was really good
-
，
,
bāng zhù
帮助
helped
wǒ
我
my
mā
妈
mom
jiě jué le
解决了
solve (past tense)
dú shī fàn
读师范
attend normal school
sān nián
三年
three years
de
的
(possessive particle)
wēn bǎo wèn tí
温饱问题
basic living needs problem
-
，
,
kě yǐ
可以
could
zài
在
in
shí táng li
食堂里
cafeteria
mǎi fàn cài
买饭菜
buy meals
-
，
,
yě
也
also
kě yǐ mǎi
可以买
could buy
yì nián sì jì
一年四季
all year round
de
的
(possessive particle)
yī fu
衣服
clothing
-
。
.
wài gōng
外公
grandpa
wài pó
外婆
grandma
jiù
就
then
bú yòng
不用
no need to
zài
再
again
wèi
为
for
nǚ ér
女儿
daughter
shàng xué
上学
schooling
xū yào
需要
need
qián
钱
money
de
的
(possessive particle)
wèn tí
问题
problem
fā chóu
发愁
worry
le
了
(completed action particle)
-
。
.
dāng
当
when
wǒ māma
我妈妈
my mom
de
的
(possessive particle)
tóng xué
同学
classmates
zài
在
were
tán lùn
谈论
discussing
yòng qián
用钱
spending money
qù
去
to
mǎi
买
buy
shén me
什么
what
hǎo chī
好吃
delicious
hǎo kàn
好看
nice
hǎo wán
好玩
fun
de
的
(possessive particle)
dōng xi
东西
things
de shí hou
的时候
when
-
，
,
tā
她
she
jiù zài
就在
was right
tú shū guǎn li
图书馆里
in the library
kàn shū
看书
reading books
-
。
.
When Mom attended teachers' college, she could receive 15 yuan for living expenses every month. Having 15 yuan a month really helped my mom meet her basic needs for the three years of teachers' college. She could buy meals in the cafeteria and clothes for all seasons. Grandpa and Grandma no longer had to worry about money for their daughter's schooling. When my mom's classmates talked about spending money on delicious food, nice clothes, and fun activities, she read books in the library.


sān nián
三年
three year
de
的
(possessive)
shīfàn
师范
teacher training
bìyè
毕业
graduate
hòu
后
after
-
，
,
māma
妈妈
Mom
bèi
被
by (passive marker)
fēnpèi
分配
assigned
dào
到
to
le
了
(completed action)
yí gè
一个
a
nóngcūn
农村
rural
xiǎoxué
小学
elementary school
jiāoshū
教书
teach
-
。
.
yí gè yuè
一个月
one month
gōngzī
工资
salary
shì
是
is
yì bǎi líng bā
108
108
kuài
块
yuan
-
，
,
māma
妈妈
Mom
bǎ
把
(disposal marker)
qián
钱
money
dōu
都
all
gěi
给
give
le
了
(completed action)
jiā li
家里
family
-
。
.
jiā li
家里
family
tài
太
too
xūyào
需要
need
qián
钱
money
lái
来
to
wéichí
维持
maintain
jīběn
基本
basic
de
的
(possessive)
shēnghuó
生活
life
le
了
(completed action)
-
。
.
hòulái
后来
later
jiā li
家里
home
yě
也
also
tiānzhì
添置
added
le
了
(completed action)
yì tái
一台
a (machine)
diànshìjī
电视机
television
-
。
.
 Upon completing her three years of teacher training, Mom was assigned to teach at a rural elementary school. Her monthly salary was 108 yuan, and Mom gave all the money to her family. Her family desperately needed money just to cover basic living expenses. Later, they also bought a television for the household.


hǎoxiào de
好笑的
funny
shì
是
is
wàigōng
外公
grandpa
zǒng shì
总是
always
pà
怕
afraid
yǒu
有
there is
xiǎotōu
小偷
thief
lái
来
come
tōu
偷
steal
jiāli
家里
home
de
的
(possessive)
jǐ kuài qián
几块钱
a few dollars
-
，
,
suǒyǐ
所以
so
bǎ
把
(particle)
qián
钱
money
dōng cáng xī cáng
东藏西藏
hide here and there
-
，
,
yǒude
有的
sometimes
shíhou
时候
time
cáng
藏
hide
zài
在
in
yīfu li
衣服里
clothes
-
，
,
yǒude
有的
sometimes
shíhou
时候
time
cáng
藏
hide
zài
在
in
chuáng xià miàn
床下面
under the bed
-
，
,
huàn lái huàn qù
换来换去
move around
-
，
,
dào hòulái
到后来
eventually
zìjǐ
自己
himself
dōu
都
even
wàngjì
忘记
forget
bǎ
把
(particle)
qián
钱
money
cáng
藏
hide
zài nǎlǐ
在哪里
where
-
，
,
zhǎo bù dào le
找不到了
could not find
-
。
.
The funny thing is, Grandpa was always afraid that thieves would come to steal the little money that they had at home, so he would hide the money in many different places. Sometimes he hid it in his clothes, sometimes under the bed. After moving it around so much, he eventually forgot where he put the money and couldn't find it anymore.
jīntiān
今天
today
wǒmen
我们
we
jiù
就
just
jiǎng dào
讲到
talk until
zhèli
这里
here
-
。
.
zài
在
in
xià
下
next
yì
一
one
qī
期
period
li
里
inside
-
，
,
wǒ
我
I
huì
会
will
hé
和
with
dàjiā
大家
everyone
fēnxiǎng
分享
share
yìxiē
一些
some
wǒ
我
my
tóngnián
童年
childhood
de
的
(possessive)
gùshi
故事
stories
-
。
.
That's all for today. In the next episode, I'll share some stories from my childhood with everyone.
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