銀翎的使命 The Silver Feather's Mission

The Mission of Silver Wing

．，Mr. Huang invited me to go to a damp, shaded spot at the foot of Lion Mountain to look for sundews. It had just passed the plum-rain season, and in the distance the green

黃: Huáng — surname Huang or Hwang (HSK 2)
先生: xiān sheng — 1. teacher 2. gentleman; sir; mister (Mr.) 3. husband 4. (dialect) doctor 5. classifier: 位 (wèi) (HSK 1)
約: yāo — to weigh in a balance or on a scale (HSK 3)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
到: dào — 1. to reach; to arrive 2. to leave for; to go to 3. to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) 4. (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point) 5. considerate; thoughtful; thorough (HSK 1)
獅子山: Shī zi shān — (Tw) Sierra Leone
麓: lù — foot of a hill
陰濕: yīn shī — dark and moist
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
地方: dì fāng — 1. region 2. regional (away from the central administration) 3. local (HSK 1)
去: qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)
找: zhǎo — 1. to try to find 2. to look for 3. to call on sb 4. to find 5. to seek 6. to return 7. to give change (HSK 1)
捕蠅草: bǔ yíng cǎo — Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)
那時: nà shí — 1. then 2. at that time 3. in those days (HSK 2)
剛: gāng — 1. (literary) hard; firm; strong 2. exactly; precisely 3. barely; only just 4. just; only a short while ago (HSK 2)
過: Guō — surname Guo (HSK 1)
梅雨: méi yǔ — East Asian rainy season (in late spring and early summer)
之: zhī — 1. (possessive particle, literary equivalent of 的 (de)) 2. him 3. her 4. it (HSK 7-9)
期: qī — 1. a period of time 2. phase 3. stage 4. classifier for issues of a periodical, courses of study 5. time 6. term 7. period 8. to hope 9. Taiwan pr. (qí) (HSK 3)
遠: yuǎn — 1. far 2. distant 3. remote 4. (intensifier in a comparison) by far 5. much (lower etc) (HSK 1)
地: de — 1. -ly 2. structural particle: used before a verb or adjective, linking it to preceding modifying adverbial adjunct (HSK 1)
靑: qīng — variant of 青 (qīng)

，mountains were still steaming with mist and haze. Only a few mountain flowers calmly watched, before our eyes, the fish swimming upstream against the current in the mountain stream, nibbling

．at their withered petals.

．，．：We walked along the mountain stream. While we were searching, we saw a large white flower drifting down from upstream. I said:

我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
沿着: yán zhe — 1. to go along 2. to follow (HSK 6)
溪澗: xī jiàn — 1. stream 2. mountain gorge
走: zǒu — 1. to walk 2. to go 3. to run 4. to move (of vehicle) 5. to visit 6. to leave 7. to go away 8. to die (euph.) 9. from 10. through 11. away (in compound verbs, such as 撤走 (chè zǒu)) 12. to change (shape, form, meaning) (HSK 1)
正在: zhèng zài — to be in the process of (doing sth); to be currently ...-ing (HSK 1)
找尋: zhǎo xún — 1. to look for 2. to seek 3. to find fault
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
時候: shí hou — 1. time 2. length of time 3. moment 4. period (HSK 1)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
看見: kàn jiàn — to see; to catch sight of (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
朶: duǒ — variant of 朵 (duǒ) (HSK 5)
大白: dà bái — 1. (of facts or truth) to become fully revealed; to come to light 2. (old) wine cup 3. (coll.) whiting (used in whitewash) 4. (coll.) (neologism, attested by 2020) healthcare worker in a full-body protective suit (from the white robot Baymax in Disney's "Big Hero 6", called "大白" in Chinese)
花: Huā — surname Hua (HSK 1)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
上游: shàng yóu — 1. upper reaches (of a river) 2. upper level 3. upper echelon 4. upstream (HSK 7-9)
順: shùn — 1. to obey 2. to follow 3. to arrange 4. to make reasonable 5. along 6. favorable (HSK 6)
流: liú — 1. to flow 2. to disseminate 3. to circulate or spread 4. to move or drift 5. to degenerate 6. to banish or send into exile 7. stream of water or sth resembling one 8. class, rate or grade (HSK 2)
而: ér — 1. and 2. as well as 3. and so 4. but (not) 5. yet (not) 6. (indicates causal relation) 7. (indicates change of state) 8. (indicates contrast) (HSK 4)
下: xià — 1. down 2. downwards 3. below 4. lower 5. later 6. next (week etc) 7. second (of two parts) 8. to decline 9. to go down 10. to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) 11. measure word to show the frequency of an action (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)

『，？』'At this time of year, how could there be such a huge white lotus flower floating along?'

：『！My friend said, 'You nearsighted devil!？Are you sure you can tell that's a white lotus flower?……』What I see is……'

，，．；No sooner said than done — the white thing had already floated up right before us. Mr. Huang hastily blocked the water's surface with his collecting net;

說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
時: Shí — surname Shi (HSK 3)
遲: Chí — surname Chi (HSK 5)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
時: Shí — surname Shi (HSK 3)
快: kuài — 1. rapid 2. quick 3. speed 4. rate 5. soon 6. almost 7. to make haste 8. clever 9. sharp (of knives or wits) 10. forthright 11. plainspoken 12. gratified 13. pleased 14. pleasant (HSK 1)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
白: Bái — 1. surname Bai 2. Bai ethnic group (HSK 1)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
東西: dōng xī — east and west (HSK 1)
已經: yǐ jīng — already (HSK 2)
流: liú — 1. to flow 2. to disseminate 3. to circulate or spread 4. to move or drift 5. to degenerate 6. to banish or send into exile 7. stream of water or sth resembling one 8. class, rate or grade (HSK 2)
到: dào — 1. to reach; to arrive 2. to leave for; to go to 3. to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) 4. (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point) 5. considerate; thoughtful; thorough (HSK 1)
我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
跟前: gēn qián — 1. the front (of) 2. (in) front 3. (in) sb's presence 4. just before (a date) (HSK 5)
黃: Huáng — surname Huang or Hwang (HSK 2)
先生: xiān sheng — 1. teacher 2. gentleman; sir; mister (Mr.) 3. husband 4. (dialect) doctor 5. classifier: 位 (wèi) (HSK 1)
急: jí — 1. urgent 2. pressing 3. rapid 4. hurried 5. worried 6. to make (sb) anxious (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
采集: cǎi jí — 1. to gather 2. to collect 3. to harvest (HSK 7-9)
網: wǎng — 1. net; web 2. network 3. to net; to catch with a net (HSK 2)
攔住: lán zhù — 1. to stop 2. to bar the way
水面: shuǐ miàn — water surface (HSK 7-9)

，．，，『only then did I see that it was a pigeon. He took the dead bird out of the net and said in astonishment, 'Who was so careless

那時: nà shí — 1. then 2. at that time 3. in those days (HSK 2)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
才: cái — 1. ability; talent 2. sb of a certain type 3. a capable individual 4. then and only then 5. just now 6. (before an expression of quantity) only 7. (emphatic, esp. in contrast or correction) really; actually (HSK 2)
看出: kàn chū — 1. to make out 2. to see (HSK 5)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
隻: zhī — classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc (HSK 2)
鴿子: gē zi — 1. pigeon 2. dove 3. various birds of the family Columbidae (HSK 7-9)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
網: wǎng — 1. net; web 2. network 3. to net; to catch with a net (HSK 2)
裏: lǐ — variant of 裡 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
死: sǐ — 1. to die 2. impassable 3. uncrossable 4. inflexible 5. rigid 6. extremely 7. damned (HSK 3)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
飛禽: fēi qín — birds
取出: qǔ chū — 1. to take out 2. to extract 3. to draw out
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
詫異: chà yì — 1. flabbergasted 2. astonished (HSK 7-9)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
誰: shéi — 1. who 2. also pr. (shuí) (HSK 1)
那麽: nà me — variant of 那麼 (nà me) (HSK 2)
不: bù — 1. no; not so 2. (bound form) not; un- (HSK 1)

，！』，．as to kill someone's carrier pigeon!' As he spoke, he drew out from under the pigeon's wing a small letter of some length. The letter had already

仔細: zǐ xì — 1. careful; attentive; cautious 2. to be careful; to look out 3. (dialect) thrifty; frugal (HSK 5)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
人家: rén jiā — 1. household 2. dwelling 3. family 4. sb else's house 5. household business 6. house of woman's husband-to-be 7. classifier: 戶 (hù), 家 (jiā) (HSK 4)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
傳書鴿: chuán shū gē — carrier pigeon (used for mail)
打死: dǎ sǐ — 1. to kill 2. to beat to death
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
說: shuì — to persuade (HSK 1)
時: Shí — surname Shi (HSK 3)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
鴿: gē — pigeon; dove
翼: Yì — 1. surname Yi 2. alternative name for 絳 (Jiàng), the capital of the Jin State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–475 BC)
下: xià — 1. down 2. downwards 3. below 4. lower 5. later 6. next (week etc) 7. second (of two parts) 8. to decline 9. to go down 10. to arrive at (a decision, conclusion etc) 11. measure word to show the frequency of an action (HSK 1)
取出: qǔ chū — 1. to take out 2. to extract 3. to draw out
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
封: Fēng — surname Feng (HSK 2)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
長: cháng — 1. long 2. (bound form) length 3. (bound form) strong point; forte 4. (bound form) to be good at 5. (literary) surplus; spare (Taiwan pr. (zhàng)) (HSK 2)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
小: xiǎo — 1. small 2. tiny 3. few 4. young (HSK 1)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
已: yǐ — 1. already 2. to stop 3. then 4. afterwards (HSK 3)

；been soaked through by the water;，．we slowly unfolded it and spread it out upon a rock.

『，，，？』'Let's first see where this came from and where it was meant to be sent, and then send it on for him — how would that be?' I said, all the while

我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
先: xiān — 1. beforehand; first; earlier 2. at first; originally 3. for the time being; for now 4. (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself) (HSK 1)
看看: kàn kan — 1. to take a look at 2. to examine 3. to survey 4. (coll.) pretty soon
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
那里: nà li — there; that place (HSK 1)
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
要: yāo — (bound form) to demand; to coerce (HSK 1)
寄: jì — 1. to entrust; to place in sb's care 2. (bound form) to depend on; to attach oneself to; to reside temporarily 3. (bound form) foster (as in 寄女[ji4 nu : 3] foster daughter) 4. to send by post; to mail (HSK 4)
到: dào — 1. to reach; to arrive 2. to leave for; to go to 3. to (a place); until (a time); up to (a point) 4. (verb complement indicating arriving at a place or reaching a point) 5. considerate; thoughtful; thorough (HSK 1)
那里: nà li — there; that place (HSK 1)
去: qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
然後: rán hòu — then; after that; afterwards (HSK 2)
給: gěi — 1. to 2. for 3. for the benefit of 4. to give 5. to allow 6. to do sth (for sb) 7. (grammatical equivalent of 被) 8. (grammatical equivalent of 把) 9. (sentence intensifier) (HSK 1)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
寄: jì — 1. to entrust; to place in sb's care 2. (bound form) to depend on; to attach oneself to; to reside temporarily 3. (bound form) foster (as in 寄女[ji4 nu : 3] foster daughter) 4. to send by post; to mail (HSK 4)
去: qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)
如何: rú hé — 1. how 2. what way 3. what (HSK 3)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
一面: yī miàn — 1. one side 2. one aspect 3. simultaneously... (and...) 4. one's whole face (HSK 7-9)

，．，．speaking and looking it over. But not only was there no address on it, there was not even a signature or date at top or bottom.

：『，．』Mr. Huang said, 'Let's first see what is written inside — never mind matters of private propriety.'

：『，；I said with a laugh, 'Yes, a letter with no name on it is public property;．』so we may as well read it through.'

：So together we read it aloud:

『，，，'You told young Kun to bring Silver Wing and Jade Wing here, instructing me that if they returned empty, it would mean I was still safe — that

．，；was the meaning. Fearing that he might find out, I left these two little treasures with sister Xia;who would have thought that the day before yesterday, when she opened the cage to set out feed,

思: sī — 1. to think 2. to consider
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
恐怕: kǒng pà — 1. fear 2. to dread 3. I'm afraid that... 4. perhaps 5. maybe (HSK 3)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
知道: zhī dào — 1. to know; to become aware of 2. also pr. (zhī dao) (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
兩: liǎng — 1. two 2. both 3. some 4. a few 5. tael, unit of weight equal to 50 grams (modern) or 1⁄16 of a catty 斤 (jīn) (old) (HSK 1)
隻: zhī — classifier for birds and certain animals, one of a pair, some utensils, vessels etc (HSK 2)
小: xiǎo — 1. small 2. tiny 3. few 4. young (HSK 1)
寶貝: bǎo bèi — 1. treasured object 2. treasure 3. darling 4. baby 5. cowry 6. good-for-nothing or queer character (HSK 4)
寄: jì — 1. to entrust; to place in sb's care 2. (bound form) to depend on; to attach oneself to; to reside temporarily 3. (bound form) foster (as in 寄女[ji4 nu : 3] foster daughter) 4. to send by post; to mail (HSK 4)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
霞: xiá — rose-tinted sky or clouds at sunrise or sunset
妹: mèi — younger sister (HSK 1)
那里: nà li — there; that place (HSK 1)
誰知道: shéi zhī dào — 1. God knows... 2. Who would have imagined...? (HSK 7-9)
前天: qián tiān — the day before yesterday (HSK 1)
她: tā — she (HSK 1)
開: kāi — 1. to open (transitive or intransitive) 2. (of ships, vehicles, troops etc) to start 3. to turn on; to put in operation; to operate; to run 4. to boil 5. to write out (a prescription, check, invoice etc) 6. (directional complement) away; off 7. carat (gold) 8. abbr. for Kelvin, 開爾文 (Kāi ěr wén) 9. abbr. for 開本 (kāi běn), book format (HSK 1)
籠: lóng — 1. enclosing frame made of bamboo, wire etc; cage; basket 2. steamer basket
擱: gē — 1. to place 2. to put aside 3. to shelve (HSK 7-9)
飼料: sì liào — feed; fodder (HSK 7-9)

，！she carelessly let Jade Wing fly free!

，，，，．Ah, beloved, when you see that Jade Wing came back without carrying a letter, you will surely feel at ease, thinking I am still safe and sound. I too

．，very much hope that you go on thinking of my spirit just as you did last year. But there is something now that I cannot help telling you — in a few days

！they are going to come and take me away!．，．I cannot help but ask you to come at once and reason it out with him. Once you come, everything can be settled.

人: rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)
就要: jiù yào — 1. will 2. shall 3. to be going to (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
接: jiē — 1. to receive 2. to answer (the phone) 3. to meet or welcome sb 4. to connect 5. to catch 6. to join 7. to extend 8. to take one's turn on duty 9. to take over for sb (HSK 2)
去: qù — 1. to go 2. to go to (a place) 3. (of a time etc) last 4. just passed 5. to send 6. to remove 7. to get rid of 8. to reduce 9. to be apart from in space or time 10. to die (euphemism) 11. to play (a part) 12. (when used either before or after a verb) to go in order to do sth 13. (after a verb of motion indicates movement away from the speaker) 14. (used after certain verbs to indicate detachment or separation) (HSK 1)
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
不得不: bù dé bù — 1. have no choice or option but to 2. cannot but 3. have to 4. can't help it 5. can't avoid (HSK 3)
叫: jiào — 1. to shout 2. to call 3. to order 4. to ask 5. to be called 6. by (indicates agent in the passive mood) (HSK 1)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
速: sù — 1. fast 2. rapid 3. quick 4. velocity
速: sù — 1. fast 2. rapid 3. quick 4. velocity
來: lái — 1. to come 2. (used as a substitute for a more specific verb) 3. hither (directional complement for motion toward the speaker, as in 回來 (huí lai)) 4. ever since (as in 自古以來 (zì gǔ yǐ lái)) 5. for the past (amount of time) 6. (prefix) the coming ...; the next ... (as in 來世 (lái shì)) 7. (between two verbs) in order to 8. (after a round number) approximately 9. (used after 得 (dé) to indicate possibility, as in 談得來 (tán de lái), or after 不 (bù) to indicate impossibility, as in 吃不來 (chī bu lái)) (HSK 1)
和: Hé — surname He (HSK 1)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
計較: jì jiào — 1. to bother about 2. to haggle 3. to bicker 4. to argue 5. plan 6. stratagem (HSK 7-9)
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
一來: yī lái — firstly, ...
什: shén — what
麽: me — variant of 麼 (me)
事: shì — 1. matter 2. thing 3. item 4. work 5. affair 6. classifier: 件 (jiàn), 樁 (zhuāng), 回 (huí) (HSK 1)
都: Dū — surname Du (HSK 1)
好辦: hǎo bàn — easy to do; easy to manage
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)

．For what he fears most is your arguing the right of it with him.

，，，，，；Ah, beloved, once you see this letter you must come; otherwise, you will not get to see me;afterward you will only be able, amid the mounded and desolate graves,

噯: ǎi — 1. to belch 2. (interj. of disapproval)
愛: ài — 1. to love; to be fond of; to like 2. affection 3. to be inclined (to do sth); to tend to (happen) (HSK 1)
者: zhě — 1. (after a verb or adjective) one who (is) ... 2. (after a noun) person involved in ... 3. -er 4. -ist 5. (used after a number or 後 (hòu) or 前 (qián) to refer to sth mentioned previously) 6. (used after a term, to mark a pause before defining the term) 7. (old) (used at the end of a command) 8. (old) this
你: nǐ — you (informal, as opposed to courteous 您 (nín)) (HSK 1)
見: jiàn — 1. to see 2. to meet 3. to appear (to be sth) 4. to interview 5. opinion 6. view (HSK 1)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
以後: yǐ hòu — 1. after 2. later 3. afterwards 4. following 5. later on 6. in the future (HSK 2)
必得: bì děi — 1. must 2. have to
前來: qián lái — 1. to come (formal) 2. before 3. previously (HSK 6)
不然: bù rán — 1. not so 2. no 3. or else 4. otherwise 5. if not 6. How about ...? (HSK 4)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
見: jiàn — 1. to see 2. to meet 3. to appear (to be sth) 4. to interview 5. opinion 6. view (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
不着: bù zháo — 1. no need 2. need not
以後: yǐ hòu — 1. after 2. later 3. afterwards 4. following 5. later on 6. in the future (HSK 2)
只能: zhǐ néng — 1. can only 2. obliged to do sth 3. to have no other choice (HSK 2)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
纍纍: léi léi — variant of 累累 (léi léi)
荒: huāng — 1. desolate 2. shortage 3. scarce 4. out of practice 5. absurd 6. uncultivated 7. to neglect (HSK 7-9)
塚: zhǒng — burial mound (variant of 冢 (zhǒng))
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)

，，！to read my name there — it is not that I would not wait for you, it is that time will not let me wait for you!

．』I hope Silver Wing makes it back safely, having carried out his mission.'

，，『？』When we finished reading, Mr. Huang said, 'What can this be about?'

「？"Who could guess?．，．In any case, it is surely some misfortune. What matters now is what to do with this letter. I was thinking of

誰: shéi — 1. who 2. also pr. (shuí) (HSK 1)
能: Néng — surname Neng (HSK 1)
猜: cāi — to guess (HSK 5)
呢: ne — 1. (sentence-final particle) used in questions to link back to prior discourse or context ("what about...?", "and...?") 2. (sentence-final particle) indicating that a state or situation still holds 3. (discourse particle) used to mark a slight pause or emphasis in speech (HSK 1)
反正: fǎn zhèng — 1. anyway 2. in any case 3. to come over from the enemy's side (HSK 3)
是: shì — 1. to be (followed by substantives only) 2. correct; right; true 3. (respectful acknowledgement of a command) very well 4. (adverb for emphatic assertion) (HSK 1)
不幸: bù xìng — 1. misfortune 2. adversity 3. unfortunate 4. sad 5. unfortunately 6. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 5)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
事: shì — 1. matter 2. thing 3. item 4. work 5. affair 6. classifier: 件 (jiàn), 樁 (zhuāng), 回 (huí) (HSK 1)
罷了: bà le — a modal particle indicating (that's all, only, nothing much) (HSK 6)
現在: xiàn zài — now; at present; currently (HSK 1)
要緊: yào jǐn — 1. important 2. urgent (HSK 7-9)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
就是: jiù shì — 1. exactly; precisely 2. only; simply; just 3. (used correlatively with 也 (yě)) even; even if (HSK 3)
怎樣: zěn yàng — 1. how 2. what kind (HSK 2)
處置: chǔ zhì — 1. to handle 2. to take care of 3. to punish (HSK 7-9)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
封: Fēng — surname Feng (HSK 2)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
想: xiǎng — 1. to think (about) 2. to think of; to devise 3. to think (that); to believe (that) 4. to desire; to want (to) 5. to miss (feel wistful about the absence of) (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)

，，．』，pasting it on a tree — perhaps someone who knows of this affair might pass by and could take it away.' I shook my head, and gently

他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
貼: tiē — 1. to stick 2. to paste 3. to post (e.g. on a blog) 4. to keep close to 5. to fit snugly 6. to subsidize 7. allowance (e.g. money for food or housing) 8. sticker 9. classifier for sticking plaster: strip (HSK 4)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
樹: shù — 1. tree 2. classifier: 棵 (kē) 3. to cultivate 4. to set up (HSK 1)
上: shǎng — used in 上聲 (shǎng shēng) (HSK 1)
也許: yě xǔ — perhaps; maybe (HSK 2)
有: yǒu — 1. to have; there is 2. (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 (yǒu yì) intentional) (HSK 1)
知道: zhī dào — 1. to know; to become aware of 2. also pr. (zhī dao) (HSK 1)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
事: shì — 1. matter 2. thing 3. item 4. work 5. affair 6. classifier: 件 (jiàn), 樁 (zhuāng), 回 (huí) (HSK 1)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
人: rén — 1. person; people 2. classifier: 個 (gè), 位 (wèi), 名 (míng) (HSK 1)
經過: jīng guò — 1. to pass 2. to go through 3. process 4. course 5. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 2)
這: zhè — 1. (pronoun) this; these 2. (bound form) this; the (followed by a noun) 3. (bound form) this; these (followed by a classifier) (in this sense, commonly pr. (zhèi), esp. in Beijing) (HSK 1)
里: Lǐ — surname Li (HSK 1)
可以: kě yǐ — 1. can 2. may 3. possible 4. able to 5. not bad 6. pretty good (HSK 2)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
帶去: dài qu — to take along with one
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
搖: Yáo — surname Yao (HSK 4)
着: zhāo — variant of 著 (zhāo) (HSK 1)
頭: tóu — 1. head 2. hair style 3. the top 4. end 5. beginning or end 6. a stub 7. remnant 8. chief 9. boss 10. side 11. aspect 12. first 13. leading 14. classifier for pigs or livestock 15. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 2)
且: qiě — 1. and 2. moreover 3. yet 4. for the time being 5. to be about to 6. both (... and...) (HSK 7-9)
輕輕: qīng qīng — lightly; softly
地: de — 1. -ly 2. structural particle: used before a verb or adjective, linking it to preceding modifying adverbial adjunct (HSK 1)

．lifted the letter up.

：『，．』Mr. Huang said, 'Better to take it into the village and make some inquiries — it might be easier to turn up a clue that way.'

，，．After talking it over, we copied out another sheet, and still tied the original letter beneath the pigeon's wing. Mr. Huang, with a digging spade,

我們: wǒ men — we; us; ourselves; our (HSK 1)
商量: shāng liang — 1. to consult 2. to talk over 3. to discuss (HSK 2)
之下: zhī xià — 1. under 2. beneath 3. less than (HSK 5)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
另: lìng — 1. other 2. another 3. separate 4. separately (HSK 6)
鈔: chāo — 1. money 2. paper money 3. variant of 抄 (chāo)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
張: Zhāng — surname Zhang (HSK 3)
起來: qǐ lai — 1. to stand up; to get up 2. also pr. (qǐ lái) (HSK 1)
仍: réng — 1. still; yet 2. to remain 3. (literary) frequently; often (HSK 3)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
原: Yuán — 1. surname Yuan 2. (Japanese surname) Hara (HSK 6)
信: xìn — 1. letter 2. mail 3. classifier: 封 (fēng) 4. to trust 5. to believe 6. to profess faith in 7. truthful 8. confidence 9. trust 10. at will 11. at random (HSK 2)
繫: jì — 1. to tie 2. to fasten 3. to button up (HSK 3)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
鴿: gē — pigeon; dove
翼: Yì — 1. surname Yi 2. alternative name for 絳 (Jiàng), the capital of the Jin State during the Spring and Autumn Period (770–475 BC)
底下: dǐ xia — 1. the location below sth 2. afterwards (HSK 3)
黃: Huáng — surname Huang or Hwang (HSK 2)
先生: xiān sheng — 1. teacher 2. gentleman; sir; mister (Mr.) 3. husband 4. (dialect) doctor 5. classifier: 位 (wèi) (HSK 1)
用: yòng — 1. to use; to make use of; to employ 2. (coverb) with; using 3. to need; to have to (usu. used in the negative or in questions) 4. usefulness; utility 5. (bound form) expense; outlay 6. (courteous) to eat; to drink 7. (literary) hence; therefore (HSK 1)
採掘: cǎi jué — 1. to excavate 2. to extract (ore)
鍬: qiāo — 1. shovel 2. spade
子: zǐ — 1. son 2. child 3. seed 4. egg 5. small thing 6. 1st earthly branch: 11 p.m.–1 a.m., midnight, 11th solar month (7th December to 5th January), year of the rat 7. viscount, fourth of five orders of nobility 五等爵位 (wǔ děng jué wèi) 8. ancient Chinese compass point: 0° (north) 9. subsidiary; subordinate; (prefix) sub-

，．，dug a small pit by the stream and buried the pigeon in it. Afterward he set up a small headstone for it, and also fished several

在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
溪: xī — 1. creek 2. rivulet
邊: biān — 1. side 2. edge 3. margin 4. border 5. boundary 6. classifier: 個 (gè) 7. simultaneously (HSK 2)
挖: wā — 1. to dig 2. to excavate 3. to scoop out (HSK 6)
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
一個: yī ge — 1. a; an; one 2. the whole (afternoon, summer vacation etc)
小: xiǎo — 1. small 2. tiny 3. few 4. young (HSK 1)
坑: kēng — 1. pit; hollow; depression 2. (mining) pit; shaft; tunnel 3. (literary) to bury alive 4. (coll.) to cheat; to scam; to screw over (HSK 7-9)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
鴿子: gē zi — 1. pigeon 2. dove 3. various birds of the family Columbidae (HSK 7-9)
葬: zàng — 1. to bury (the dead) 2. to inter (HSK 7-9)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
裏: lǐ — variant of 裡 (lǐ) (HSK 1)
頭: tóu — 1. head 2. hair style 3. the top 4. end 5. beginning or end 6. a stub 7. remnant 8. chief 9. boss 10. side 11. aspect 12. first 13. leading 14. classifier for pigs or livestock 15. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 2)
囘: huí — variant of 回 (huí)
頭: tóu — 1. head 2. hair style 3. the top 4. end 5. beginning or end 6. a stub 7. remnant 8. chief 9. boss 10. side 11. aspect 12. first 13. leading 14. classifier for pigs or livestock 15. classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 2)
爲: wéi — variant of 為 (wéi) (HSK 2)
他: tā — 1. (third-person singular) (since the early 20th century, usu. male) he; him; his 2. (bound form) other; another; some other (as in 他日 (tā rì) and 他人 (tā rén)) (HSK 1)
立: Lì — surname Li (HSK 5)
了: le — 1. (completed action marker) 2. (modal particle indicating change of state, situation now) 3. (modal particle intensifying preceding clause) (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
座: zuò — 1. seat 2. base; stand 3. (bound form) constellation 4. (archaic) suffix used in a respectful form of address (e.g. 師座 (shī zuò)) 5. classifier for large immovable objects such as buildings, mountains, bridges etc (HSK 2)
小: xiǎo — 1. small 2. tiny 3. few 4. young (HSK 1)
碑: bēi — 1. a monument 2. an upright stone tablet 3. stele 4. classifier: 塊 (kuài), 面 (miàn) (HSK 7-9)
且: qiě — 1. and 2. moreover 3. yet 4. for the time being 5. to be about to 6. both (... and...) (HSK 7-9)
從: Cóng — surname Cong (HSK 1)
水: Shuǐ — 1. surname Shui 2. Shui ethnic group (HSK 1)
中: Zhōng — 1. (bound form) China; Chinese 2. surname Zhong (HSK 1)
淘: táo — 1. to wash (rice, sand etc in water to remove impurities) 2. to dredge; to scoop out (sediment or waste) 3. (dialect) to hunt for and buy (bargains or second-hand goods) 4. (dialect) naughty; mischievous (HSK 7-9)
出: chū — 1. to go out; to come out 2. to arise; to occur 3. to produce; to yield 4. to go beyond; to exceed 5. (used after a verb to indicate an outward direction or a positive result) 6. classifier for dramas, plays, operas etc (HSK 1)
幾: jī — (literary) almost (HSK 1)

．，，，beautiful small stones out of the water to weigh down upon the grave. The grave lay right where the mountain flowers were in full bloom; as I turned, I shook down some petals,

塊: kuài — 1. lump; chunk; piece 2. classifier for pieces of cloth, cake, soap etc 3. (coll.) classifier for money and currency units (HSK 1)
美麗: měi lì — beautiful (HSK 3)
的: de — 1. of; ~'s (possessive particle) 2. (used after an attribute when it modifies a noun) 3. (used at the end of a declarative sentence for emphasis) 4. (used after a noun, verb or adjective to form a nominal expression, as in 皮革的 (pí gé de) "one made of leather" or 跑堂兒的 (pǎo táng r de) "a waiter (literally, one who runs back and forth in a restaurant)" or 新的 (xīn de) "new one") 5. also pr. (dì) or (di) in poetry and songs (HSK 1)
小: xiǎo — 1. small 2. tiny 3. few 4. young (HSK 1)
石: Shí — 1. surname Shi 2. abbr. for Shijiazhuang 石家莊 (Shí jiā zhuāng), the capital of Hebei
壓: yā — 1. to press 2. to push down 3. to keep under (control) 4. pressure (HSK 3)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
墓: mù — 1. grave 2. tomb 3. mausoleum (HSK 6)
上: shǎng — used in 上聲 (shǎng shēng) (HSK 1)
那: Nā — surname Na (HSK 1)
墓: mù — 1. grave 2. tomb 3. mausoleum (HSK 6)
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
在: zài — 1. to exist; to be alive 2. (of sb or sth) to be (located) at 3. (used before a verb to indicate an action in progress) (HSK 1)
山: Shān — surname Shan (HSK 1)
花: Huā — surname Hua (HSK 1)
盛開: shèng kāi — 1. blooming 2. in full flower (HSK 7-9)
底: de — (equivalent to 的 as possessive particle) (HSK 4)
地方: dì fāng — 1. region 2. regional (away from the central administration) 3. local (HSK 1)
我: wǒ — I; me; my (HSK 1)
一: yī — 1. one 2. single 3. a (article) 4. as soon as 5. entire; whole; all; throughout 6. "one" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 1) 7. also pr. (yāo) for greater clarity when spelling out numbers digit by digit (HSK 1)
翻身: fān shēn — 1. to turn over (when lying) 2. (fig.) to free oneself 3. to emancipate oneself 4. to bring about a change of one's fortunes
就: jiù — 1. (after a suppositional clause) in that case; then 2. (after a clause of action) as soon as; immediately after 3. (same as 就是 (jiù shì)) merely; nothing else but; simply; just; precisely; exactly 4. only; as little as 5. as much as; as many as 6. to approach; to move towards 7. to undertake; to engage in 8. (often followed by 著 (zhe)) taking advantage of 9. (of food) to go with 10. with regard to; concerning 11. (bound form) to reach; to attain (as in 一蹴而就 (yī cù ér jiù)) 12. (pattern: 就 (jiù) ... 也 (yě) ...) even if ... still ... 13. (pattern: 不 (bù) ... 就 (jiù) ...) if not ... then must be ... (HSK 1)
把: bǎ — 1. to hold; to grasp 2. to hold a baby in position to help it urinate or defecate 3. handlebar 4. classifier: handful, bundle, bunch 5. classifier for things with handles 6. (used to put the object before the verb: 把 (bǎ) + {noun} + {verb}) (HSK 3)
些: xiē — classifier indicating a small amount or small number greater than 1: some, a few, several (HSK 4)
花瓣: huā bàn — 1. petal 2. classifier: 片 (piàn) (HSK 7-9)
搖: Yáo — surname Yao (HSK 4)
下來: xià lai — 1. to come down 2. (completed action marker) 3. (after verb of motion, indicates motion down and towards us, also fig.) 4. (indicates continuation from the past towards us) 5. to be harvested (of crops) 6. to be over (of a period of time) 7. to go among the masses (said of leaders) (HSK 3)

．and they too fell upon this messenger's grave.

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What it’s about

Searching a wet mountainside for carnivorous plants, the narrator and Mr. Huang see what looks like a white lotus drifting downstream. It is a dead carrier pigeon, Silver Feather, with a waterlogged unsigned letter beneath its wing. Abandoning scruples about private mail, they read a woman's plea to her lover: another pigeon escaped without a message, falsely signaling safety, but she is about to be taken away and needs him to come negotiate before it is too late.

The writers cannot identify sender, recipient or destination. They copy the letter in hope of tracing it in the village, return the original to the bird and bury the failed messenger beside the stream. Small stones form a marker, and shaken blossoms fall over the grave. The unknown woman's danger therefore remains suspended beyond the story. A mission meant to overcome distance ends as an unreadable artifact, while the strangers' careful funeral honors both animal service and a human appeal they cannot deliver.

When it was written 背景

Carrier pigeons turn modern communication into a vulnerable bodily chain: one bird's accidental escape creates a false message, and another's death prevents correction. The letter never specifies whether the threatened removal is marriage, confinement or some other coercion, so urgency survives without explanatory closure. Xu also makes the observers' joke that an anonymous letter is “public” ethically uneasy; curiosity leads to compassion but cannot ensure rescue. Learners should follow the sequence 翠翼, 銀翎, 空着回去 and 帶信 to reconstruct the failed signaling system before dwelling on the lyrical burial.

Words in this chapter 生词

溪澗xī jiàn溪澗xī jiàn — stream · mountain gorge
鴿gē鴿gē — pigeon; dove
着zhāoHSK 1着zhāo — a move in chess (Taiwan pr. (zhuó)) · trick; tactic · (dialect) okay; all right · (dialect) to put in; to add (HSK 1)
翼yì翼yì — wing · area surrounding the bullseye of a target · to assist · one of the 28 constellations of Chinese astronomy · old variant of 翌
翎líng翎líng — tail feathers · plume
使命shǐ mìngHSK 7-9使命shǐ mìng — mission · long-term task to which one devotes oneself · a calling (HSK 7-9)
囘huí囘huí — variant of 回 (huí)
朶duǒHSK 5朶duǒ — variant of 朵 (duǒ) (HSK 5)
傳書鴿chuán shū gē傳書鴿chuán shū gē — carrier pigeon (used for mail)
地带dì dàiHSK 5地带dì dài — zone · classifier: 個 (gè) (HSK 5)
崑kūn崑kūn — used in place names, notably Kunlun Mountains 崑崙 (Kūn lún) · (also used for transliteration)
捕蠅草bǔ yíng cǎo捕蠅草bǔ yíng cǎo — Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula)