Throughout the school year, the students in Class 4A wrote quite a few essays. Their best essays have been collected in a book. Here’s one essay by Xiu Kun He Zhan:
A Part of Life
Xiu Kun He Zhan
Before I came to the United States, I lived in China. After I graduated from high school, I was hired by a farming brigade. It was out of my hometown. So, I left my home for the countryside, and worked as a farming accountant.
I worked hard in the farming brigade. I lived in my office, and went home just once a week. I was a competent accountant and was good at my job. I never made any mistakes. And in my free time I usually helped the farmers to read or write letters, weave woolen sweaters and to do some odd jobs.
So, even though I was a young girl, they were respectful to me and liked me. They treated me like I was one of their family members. Most of the farmers were friendly, simple and honest. I loved them. I did my job for years until I found another job in my town.
Even though I left the countryside 40 years ago, I still miss the farmers and my life there. In October 2007, I went back to China and I visited my family and visited my old friends the farmers.
The time that I worked in the countryside was a fine part of my whole life.
To read the rest of the essays, click on the cover below: 
