Chapter 15: The Poverty of the Peasants
Besides Run Tu, many other farmers came too. They wore worn-out clothes, their faces covered with wrinkles, looking very tired.
They came to help move things, not asking for payment, just to help out. They were very friendly, very honest, but also very poor.
I saw one farmer whose shoe had a large hole, and his toes were exposed. I asked him, "Your shoe is broken, why don't you buy new ones?"
He said, "No money, as long as it can be worn, it's fine."
I looked at him, feeling very sad. These people have to labor hard every day, but their income is very little. They can't afford new clothes, can't afford new shoes, and can't even afford their children's tuition.
Is this the reality of the countryside? Is this the life of farmers?