Children's Literature Masterpieces - Self-Selected Collection - Double Tea Seat

Author: Meizihan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: The Double Tea Seat collects 13 short stories and novellas written by Meizihan at different periods. In the preface to the book, Meizihan says, "For an adult, writing children's literature is difficult. You cannot stand in the thoughts and interests of an adult, but the life and wisdom of children are already far away from you. What can we rely on to enter their world, and what can we rely on to write stories and language that they cannot think of? People who solve this difficulty well are called children's literature writers, or even masters of children's literature. It is especially difficult for others to surpass you, and yet you are called such names without feeling ashamed." These 13 stories were written by Meizihan "one by one with care," covering all aspects of children's and adolescents' lives. Within the humorous and engaging plots, some simple and profound lessons about how to conduct oneself, study, and grow are woven in.
The story Walking on the Way mainly tells about the protagonist Xiaoyuan helping his grandmother buy a movie ticket and watching a movie with her. The troubles begin when his grandmother, elderly and frail, has difficulty walking and moves slowly. Xiaoyuan becomes a little impatient. At this moment, he recalls his grandmother working hard under the scorching summer sun when he was a child and using the money she earned to buy him an ice cream. Without hesitation, Xiaoyuan goes to help his grandmother. The topic of respecting the elderly has long been discussed, but it is not something that can be done just by talking about it. Especially for today's only children, it is even more challenging. Many of them were raised by their grandparents or grandmothers, receiving too much love but having no space to express their own love. Gradually, their love nerves also become somewhat dull. Walking on the Way may awaken the love they hold deep within for their elders and help them realize that one day, they too will grow old.
The Double Tea Seat tells a story that seems like "boasting" but is actually about "growth." A boy tells another boy that once, he met a girl at the entrance of a coffee shop and invited her in for coffee. The listening boy is impressed, but the boy telling the story says it was a lie. "Honestly, I had no choice. Don't I wish such a thing could really happen? If I didn't, why would I exaggerate? But it hasn't happened yet." That is probably the key. When adults think the word "love" is still too early for children, their hearts are inevitably undergoing strange changes and yearnings. They feel lost, unable to find answers to their confusion about love. The Double Tea Seat provides such an outlet through "coffee" and "background music."
Meizihan's works are humorous and engaging. Each story in The Double Tea Seat is filled with a calm narration that is bright, uplifting, healthy, and progressive, conveying the truth that growth does not matter whether it is right or wrong, but it must be faced correctly. If you continue to reflect on the stories Meizihan has written, you will find yourself lost in thought when you close the book.