Primary School Student Award-Winning Essays - (Essential Collection)

Author: Chen Jiangong, Tan Tan, Bi Shumin, Gao Hongbo, Chen Shixu, etc. / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: On the Spring Festival, Lu Xiaohua finds that there are countless fun things to do—setting off fireworks, watching lanterns, and strolling through flower streets. But what she finds most interesting is the folk custom of "selling laziness." On New Year's Eve, after returning from the bustling flower market, her younger brother jumps around and says, "Tonight is New Year's Eve, we don’t have to do chores!" He proposes it alone, and the other cousins agree. Grandma glances at them, smiling mischievously, "Look, you mischievous ones are really lazy! You must 'sell laziness' tonight to avoid being lazier next year!"
"Selling laziness?" The name sounds so fun! It makes her think it’s an enjoyable activity, and everyone is delighted upon hearing Grandma’s words! Then, following her instructions, they prepare everything to "sell laziness" for themselves. At half past nine, they carry the paper lanterns they hastily made, hanging two eggs in each hand, and step outside. "Wow! The streets are so lively!" she exclaims.
Looking around, everyone is in high spirits, but she wonders why there’s no one "selling laziness." At this moment, Grandma leads them outside and smiles, "Since you’re so lazy, you’ll have to 'sell laziness' around the house." Though it was meant as a punishment, they cheerfully comply. Six children line up single file, holding lanterns in one hand and eggs in the other, slowly walking around the house, laughing and shouting, "Selling laziness, selling laziness, until New Year’s Eve, I’m lazy but not lazy. Selling laziness, selling laziness!" They shout with great enthusiasm. Each child gently sways the lanterns, worried that the candles might go out and they’d be punished with chores, or even become lazier next year.
As they walk, the youngest cousin comes up to her and asks, "Sister, after selling laziness, will I stop being lazy?" Hearing this, she laughs so hard her stomach aches. "Are you lazy?" she asks. "No!" "As long as you’re not lazy, whether you sell laziness or not doesn’t matter. It’s just an old folk custom! Understand?" "Yes!" the youngest cousin nods.
Suddenly, a voice comes from the end: "Buying laziness, buying laziness, buy until..." Hearing this, they all look back in unison. Their younger brother is staring intently at the candle, his head bowed, holding the lantern in one hand. His voice is so clear! Seeing his serious expression, the five cousins and Grandma all laugh so hard their backs bend. "Brother, are you selling or buying laziness? If you buy it, you’ll only get lazier!" At this, he blushed and immediately corrected himself. They laugh at his expression.
Unintentionally, he sways the lantern too hard, and the candle goes out. As soon as his candle goes out, the other cousins rush to help him, but in the process, they accidentally extinguish their own candles too. Everyone shouts in surprise.
After finishing the eggs, she excitedly says, "Tonight, I successfully sold laziness, and I won’t be lazy next year!" Just as Grandma is about to punish her younger brother for chores, she quickly says, "Grandma, let me do the chores!"
"Why are you suddenly so diligent?" Grandma asks. "Because I sold laziness and came back!" she smiles. "Selling laziness is really fun! Though this year’s New Year’s Eve is cold and rainy, our hearts are warm. Selling laziness not only brought me joy but also taught me that one must not be lazy—only the hardworking can find happiness."
P5-6