In the morning before everything started, A-Lai was quietly sitting in a physics classroom.
The classroom, a cozy wooden space, was filled with warm sunlight streaming through large windows, casting a golden glow over the students and their teacher.
On the wall, rows of paper-made colorful flowers added a touch of warmth and color to the atmosphere. They were part of a project to celebrate the New Year and symbolize good luck and happiness.
At the front of the classroom stood a blackboard, displaying several lines of chalk-written notes. The notes were about the basic concepts and formulas of physics, such as force, mass, acceleration, and gravity. The teacher had written them in a clear and neat handwriting, using different colors to highlight the important points.
In front of the blackboard stood a teacher, sporting a bushy mustache and dressed in a gray suit. His southern twang gave a unique flavor to his teaching and obviously he was doing his best to make a dull lesson turned into an exciting journey.
The podium in front, crafted by the principal himself using several logs, was tailored to his own height. Hence, for today's physics class, the teacher brought along a 20-centimeter-high footstool, reassuring himself internally. After all, he reasoned, folks with towering statures might just have underdeveloped brain capacities; he forgave them silently.
As the teacher carefully placing his foot on the stool, a mischievous student couldn't suppress a quiet laugh. The physics teacher, stroking his beard and widening his eyes, noticed a group of fellow teachers at the back of the classroom, also attending the lecture. He had no choice but to continue with his intricate theories of physics.
"Class, today we're delving into a topic that's utterly captivating—the vastness of the universe. Imagine standing on an endless beach, where each grain of sand represents a galaxy. This analogy isn't an exaggeration because there truly are billions upon billions of galaxies out there, each containing billions of stars. Orbiting these stars could be countless planets, some of which might resemble Earth and have the potential to support life."
"Sir, are you suggesting that aliens exist?" piped up a cheeky student.
"Indeed, the existence of extraterrestrial life is as normal as the variety of plants in a forest. It would be rather abnormal if a forest had only one tree!" the teacher replied with certainty.
"So why can't I see aliens, then?"
"As the universe expands, it creates many different branches, each representing an independent parallel universe that might exist in dimensions beyond our comprehension."
"It's like why earthworms in the soil rarely encounter eagles in the sky, and why the Mariana snailfish living at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean will never see an rabbit in its lifetime."
"Sir, are you saying we're just sheltered mountain kids?"
"Ah, that's not quite accurate!" the physics teacher waved his head,"How come you can still use a question?"
"Well,just a joke. We are all sheltered kids.
To those living in District 19, we're country folks who haven't seen the world. And to those in the imperial capital, the people from District 19 are also country kids. And to visitors from advanced star systems in the universe, we Earthlings are the children who haven't seen the world."
Outside the classroom, nature was blossoming. Small, fresh buds swayed gently in the breeze, signaling the arrival of spring with their graceful movement.
A pretty oriole bird sat up high on a branch, its thin neck reaching out as it sang a song that perfectly matched the season. Its tune was made up of clear notes that floated through the air, adding a cheerful touch to the gentle spring breeze with its music.
Indoors, a boy on the verge of his teenage years was completely captivated by the show outside. His eyes tracked the movement of the branches, the sunlight filtering through the leaves in a captivating play of light and shadow.
Unconsciously, he narrowed his eyes, not only watching but feeling the vibrant beauty of nature's painting. The sharp scent of soil and grass, ensnared his senses. His heart seemed to dance with the rhythm of nature, beating in harmony with the earth.
From the desk beside him, she watched the boy with a blend of fondness and humor. To her, branches were just branches, and sunlight was just part of the day. Yet, she smiled at his wonder, seeing the world through his eyes—a place where simple things spun into extraordinary stories.
Outside the window, the view bewitched the boy, making him a mesmerizing spectacle for onlookers. The bright eyes beside him, resting on his figure, formed a gentle arc, as though spellbound by his aura.
During this sensory experience, a soft touch on his arm brought him back to reality. The boy realized that the school principal was sitting next to him in class, which made him blush with embarrassment.
The principal was a strong, middle-aged man with a commanding presence. His glasses hinted at his wisdom. Unlike other teachers, he was physically strong, able to lift a heavy basket with ease.
Wrapped in a crisp linen robe, the principal stood as a beacon of simplicity and purity. To someone just passing by, he might seem like just another face in the village crowd, but to the locals, he was a legend. Despite his simple appearance, he earned deep respect—a quiet symbol of a lifetime spent helping others.
The principal's interests went beyond just literature; sometimes he delved into history and geography. With his wealth of travel experiences, he spun stories that captivated the children, inspiring dreams of distant lands beyond their simple village.
He leaned in towards the boy and asked in a gentle voice,"A-Lai, do you understand the main idea of what he's saying?" He had memorized the names of every student in the school, a sign of his strong commitment.
His voice was kind and fatherly,expressing care and love with every word. In reply, the boy gave a slightly hesitant smile, confessing,"Mr. Zhang, I don't really get it, but I really want to explore other worlds."
The dean smiled gently and said,"Hmm, I'm on the same boat. Oh, by the way, come to my office tomorrow; a special guest wants to meet you."
When the principal saw A-Lai's puzzled expression, he didn't explain, simply saying,"You'll understand tomorrow."
He gently turned his head and lightly nudged the girl at the adjacent desk with his right elbow, signaling her to look forward and focus on the lesson. A faint smile played at the corner of the principal's mouth, as memories of his own blissful moments from his student days flooded his mind.
Outside the classroom, a quiet music played as icicles under the roof edges melted in the soft wind. They turned into drops that fell in a gentle rhythm, like a song from far away, wetting the ground below.
The clear sound of a bell signaled the end of the class—ding ding ding—setting the students free to enjoy the sunlit afternoon. The children dispersed to their homes, prepared to help their families with farming tasks like plowing and tilling the soil.
As dusk settled, the village homes, usually filled with the clatter of family dinners, were alive with a different kind of buzz. People were trying on new, colorful outfits, their excitement palpable.
The air was filled with the aroma of tasty food, and chatter about tonight's school bonfire party was everywhere. No one expected that a sudden disaster would soon turn the event into a lasting goodbye for many villagers.
The annual bonfire party, a lively and grand event, is spontaneously ignited by the energetic community. On this enchanting evening, the villagers cast off the year's fatigue, dressed in their newest finery, and gathered around the school's blazing bonfire. Accompanied by their children, neighbors, and kin, they sang into the night, danced around the flames, and celebrated under the canopy of stars.
Parents beamed with pride, witnessing their children showcase the knowledge they had accumulated throughout the year, sharing both food and the abundance of the harvest season.
As the moon ascended, A-Lai couldn't contain his excitement, bursting out of his house. Along the village dirt road, neighbors called out, curious about his urgency.
"Hey, A-Lai, where's the fire? The bonfire party won't start until midnight!"
Ignoring the questions, A-Lai raced through the village like a gust of wind, as if an endless source of energy powered his eager steps.
The whispers of villagers and children lingered in the evening breeze.
"I guess impatience is contagious."
"Mom, the aroma is irresistible. Can't we have something delicious now?"
"Patience, dear; tonight is the night for feasting!"
"Hi, Dick, any guesses on who the belle of the ball will be tonight?"
"I have no clue, but I'll muster the courage to invite her to dance."
"With your charm,you wish!"
"Hahaha…"
The village was filled with joy and excitement as the time for the bonfire party approached.