The circle of goodwill

1 It was just before 2:30 pm in my hometown, Wenchuan. I was having a music lesson at school. Suddenly, the ground shook hard and I was thrown to the floor. It was an earthquake! People were shouting all around me. I jumped to my feet and rushed outside. I was shocked to find all the other buildings were reduced to pieces. I was shaking all over with fear. Then, a pair of strong hands reached out to me—I was saved.

2 I can never forget those soldiers, firemen, doctors and nurses. Day and night, they raced against time to save as many people as possible. I was deeply touched by their courage and hard work. So I made up my mind to become one of them. And I did! I graduated from college and became a nurse.

3 One day, I heard another hospital needed support. Right away, I signed up to help. I still remembered the warmth of those helping hands 12 years ago. It was time for me to offer mine.

4 The work was by no means easy. The head nurse, Ye Man, gave me a lot of help. For me, she was a patient teacher and a kind friend. However, this wasn’t the beginning of our connection. She had offered a helping hand to Wenchuan 12 years ago. Can you imagine my surprise? At that time she was my age, and also a new nurse, just like me!

5 Even today, I still feel lucky to have had such an amazing experience in life. Love leads to love, and so creates a circle of goodwill and kindness.