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[wenzili]

（8） Calling A Stray Soul Back
After years, when Mr. Huang, Mr. Shu and I met in Nan Chang again, this story inevitably came to our conversation.
Firstly, I was happy to know, their bits business had got great success after that icebreaking journey. Then, we had a wide range of topics: from their frightening maiden voyage to the unfair treatment in Gerby Inn, from Tan�s peculiar requirement on the road to Wichita to the deliberate plot of well No. confusion. AS talking we all had a complicated feeling.
We had no idea what happened to him, after Tan left the petroleum company. We all felt pitying for his misfortune, in the mean while, also sad for his dishonesty.
My friends attributed his motive to his extreme self-concern.
After lots of suffering and scare in an alien country, he finally found a decent job. He cared it too much and eagerly wanted to show his accomplishment toward cost reduction to his boss. However, he sacrificed a real moral value, which led to his complete failure.
In addition to above mentioned factors, my personal understanding was rooted to the political degeneration of his family.
After the trial to the �Gang Four�, his father was downfallen for his conspiracy involvement.
From a noblest official family to humbler prisoner one, they had experienced such a desperate change, which created enormous revenge.
With such politic resentfulness, Tan, of course, hated everyone from mainland China and considered its any failure as his own great happiness.
As we ardently talking, an interesting bygone of �Soul Calling Back� couldn�t help appearing in my mind.
In my childhood,there was a strange custom in my hometown.
When a child was frightened outside door, the parents always considered its soul had been separated from its body and got lost. Like a stray dog, the soul wandering outside could not find the way home.
In this case, a soul calling back process should be undertaken.
Before sunset, the parents always raised a child�s shirt at the top of a bamboo stick to guide the road home, since the soul could tell nothing but its own smell.
One adult in front kept throwing rice and constantly calling: �Please come back, my little dog (one of the most popular nicknames in our countryside)! You should know only here is your home. � �� (The End)

Written on August 1, 2007 in Po Dong, Shanghai
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[Lorikeet]

Thank you for your story wenzili. I enjoyed reading all the parts.

[wenzili]

My Dear friend,Lorikeet :
Thank you for your time, patience and comment!
I'll constantly improve myself by your kind encouragement!
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Practice made every effort perfect

[Winifred2]

Has anyone heard from wenzili since August? I know him from another forum, please ask him to get in touch.

[wenzili]

Hi!
Dear Winifred,
So nice to hear you again! Pls. contact me by my e-mail:[email protected].
Thanks!
By the way, my blog is still alive.
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Practice made every effort perfect