Living in this world, every one of us is constantly bestowed with the “favor” of the society, from the parents’ nurture, teachers’ edification, family’s care and friends’ help. However, many people seem to turn a blind eye to these “favor”, and take all these for granted, with no sense of gratitude. It is strange that many more parents and teachers get used to giving silently without expecting any returns or gratitude. I deem such action as a kind of misunderstanding and will misguide the children, too. Although the “secret love” is precious, given that the children are unaware of it, then they have no awareness of expressing the gratitude.

　　On the last day of the National Day holiday and on the bus, 48 teachers and students of the Children’s Palace Choir had just finished the visit to Korea. They were closing the eyes for rest and longing for the family reunion. As a reporter accompanying the team, I always felt it is my responsibility and obligation to let the children know the gratitude, giving them a lesson of moral education which needs to be improved.

　　When I talked this idea with the children, they were not against it but just wondered whether the gratitude has to be expressed. “Yes, you must express it, every child should speak it out and it loudly to the people you need to thank for. It is more than expressing the gratitude. It is a communication of heart.” Xu Yue, the child wearing the headphone listening to the music all the time, asked abruptly, “Isn’t it the teachers’ duty to look after us?” “Perhaps you are right. But it does no harm to say ‘Thank you!' to express your regard to other’s work, and this will lead us to understand each other better. Just join us!”

　　With the whispers of the children, the news of “the Gratitude Meeting” spread among them, and the excited look gradually appeared upon their faces. A special “Grand Finale” directed by myself was about to roll out.

　　I rose up, walked to the aisle of the bus and said, “The visit to Korea in this long holiday is coming to the end. Although we were all exhausted these days, our performance achieved a great success. Thanks to everybody’s trust, now I will preside over the meeting and show some clips. ” My opening speech aroused the children’s response in chorus.

　　“You may have no idea that, before our visit, our leader of the delegation, Mrs. Gu Xiaomeng, was diagnosed with Hematuria 3 plus, which is a serious warning of body fatigue. The doctor said the best solution for her is to stay in bed. However, Mrs. Gu still worked overtime each day for your rehearsal. What’s more, for this visit to Korea, she went to different travel agencies to compare the scheduling, trying her best to arrange the visit perfectly. Please express our sincere thanks to Mrs. Gu’s hard work.” “Thank you, Mrs. Gu!” The children waved and shouted, and some of the little ones even stood up. In a short time, the bus was filled with a lively atmosphere.

　　“In the six successive days, everyday, we flied to a place”, The trip was from Seoul to Busan, then Chinju, back to Busan, and ultimately Jeju Island. “Six flights, 49 luggage cases, the loading, checking and fetching each time were all done by the only gentleman of our delegation - Mr. Jin Jiong. The boring and heavy labor work and the luggage-lifting and moving, he did more than 500 times. The total weight was more than 10ton. This is to say that, Mr. Jin had lifted 2 adult African elephants. Although tired with sweat every time, he still said that it’s ok, and he can also lose some weight…” Before I finished my words, the sounds of thanks already rose in the bus, “Mr. Jin, ganm sa ham nida!” The children, using the new learnt Korean expression, naively and sincerely spoke out the “thanks!” “No big deal, no big deal, I did what I should do, I should do this”, with cheeks blushed, Mr. Jin stood up and thanked the children. After he sat back in his seat, I found that tears came into his eyes and he turned his face, looking outside the window…

　　I introduced one by one from the depth of my heart and soul, and gradually got the watch of 43 pairs of eyes and the attention of 43 hearts. The “Grand Finale” drew to a close in the sounds of thanks and applause. The closely linked sincerity and understanding between the teachers and students suddenly made me feel that the whole world is so beautiful.

　　After a few days back to Shanghai, Mr. Jin Jiong chattered with me excitedly, “Now many children from the Korea visit will greet me from a long distance, so sweet! Thank for your promoting me that time!”

　　A few weeks later, I went to the Choir Center for shooting. “Mrs. Wang!” A group of children from the Chorus completely embraced me from the back… A stream of warmth flowed in my heart and I was dazzled by happiness.

　　Wang Xiaoyan

　　The Children’s Palace