Friends, please raise your hands - (Girls' Territory)

Author: Huang Xiaobo / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The unbreakable vow of "sea-dried and stone-cracked" promises, the gentle light of the setting sun filtering through the black willow trees, casting a glow on the western end of the garden. Standing in the garden were Anne and Diana, shyly gazing at each other through a bush of beautiful climbing roses.
"Oh, Diana," Anne finally spoke, clasping her hands tightly and whispering, "do you think—well, do you think you could possibly like me—be my bosom friend?" Diana laughed, always laughing before speaking. "Of course, I think so," she said frankly. "I'm so glad you moved into Green Gables."
"Can you promise to be my friend forever and ever?" Anne asked eagerly. "Alright," Diana agreed. "How?"
"We must join hands—like this," Anne said solemnly. "This should be done on a flowing stream. Let's imagine this path is a rushing river. I'll say the vow first. I solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend, Diana Barry, forever and ever." Now you say the vow, putting my name in it."
Diana repeated the vow, laughing before and after. It was time for Anne to go home, so the two little girls walked forward, holding each other's arms. When they parted by the brook, they repeatedly promised to meet the next afternoon.
"So, do you think Diana is your 'soulmate'?" Marilla asked, leading the spellbound Anne back to Green Gables.
"Oh, yes," Anne sighed with immense happiness. "At this moment, I am the happiest girl on Prince Edward Island. Tomorrow, Diana and I are going to build a playroom in the birch forest. Diana's birthday is in February, and mine is in March. Don't you think that's a strange coincidence? Diana is also going to lend me a book. She said it's utterly captivating and wonderful. She's also going to take me to a place deep in the forest where there are milky-white lilies. Don't you think Diana's eyes are full of deep affection? I really wish I had eyes that expressed such deep feelings. Diana is also going to teach me a song, 'Nellie of the Beechwood Valley.' She's also going to give me a picture to hang in my room—a very beautiful picture, she said, of a graceful young lady in light blue silk. I hope I have something to give Diana too. I'm an inch taller than Diana, but she's much heavier than me. She said she wished she were thinner, because thinner people look more graceful. But I doubt she said that just to make me feel better.
"Which day will we go to the beach to collect shells? We all agreed to call the little stream under the wooden bridge the 'Fairy of the Forest's Bubbles.'"
"Enough, I just hope you don't talk nonstop and annoy Diana to death," Marilla said.
Anne's heart was full of joy, and Matthew further overflowed her happiness. He hesitantly took out a small paper packet wrapped in candy and handed it to Anne.
"I'll only eat one tonight, but I can share half with Diana. It makes me so happy to have something to give Diana!" Anne said excitedly.
"Paths of Lovers," "Valley of Violets," "Shining Lake"—with a friend to share the experience, every blade of grass and every tree seemed so wonderful. But friends will eventually go far away. Anne slightly indulged her unmatched imagination and was instantly overcome with sadness.
P9-10