“The little grasshopper was learning to jump high, hopping onto the foxtail grass, hopping onto the foxtail grass. He sprang his legs and kicked his feet, ‘Who can jump higher than me!’ But the grass swayed, he took a tumble, and landed with a big bump on his head.”
A group of schoolchildren was running through the grass, singing this nursery rhyme!
“Hey, buddy, did you hear that? Take it easy, or you’ll end up with a big bump on your head!”
The foxtail grass shook its head from side to side and shouted at the bright green little grasshopper!
“I’m a jumping expert, a light cavalryman of the skies—I’m no puny little nobody that pride alone can defeat!”
As he spoke, the little grasshopper gave a gentle push with his hind legs and leaped onto the foxtail grass:
“See that? Real skill isn’t just for bragging. I’m off on an adventure now—old friend, will you come with me?”
The foxtail grass swayed in the breeze and sighed deeply:
“Ah, how delightful it is to live a carefree life with no ties. It’s a pity I can’t leave the soil—otherwise, my life would wither away in no time!”
“Old buddy, life is short. Why not choose between dying a life of mediocrity or living a life of grandeur?”
The foxtail grass lowered its head in silence, then looked up at the little grasshopper with determination:
“All right, old friend, let’s go on an adventure together and enjoy the thrills of life!”
Just as they spoke, they heard a screeching “brrrr!”
“Oh no! Run, Little Grasshopper, the monster is coming!”
Little Grasshopper fluttered his wings in a start and flew high into the sky:
“It really is a giant monster coming, buddy. Let’s escape and go on an adventure together!”
Dogtail Grass, breathing in the sweet scent of fresh grass and the earthy fragrance of the soil, shed a shower of tears:
“Little Grasshopper, please take me with you! We have to leave now!”
The piercing “vroom-vroom-vroom” sound grew closer and closer. Little Grasshopper wrapped his four front legs tightly around Foxtail Grass, lifted his head, puffed out his chest, pushed off hard with his hind legs, flapped his wings, and soared upward with all his might. A sudden “Ah!” rang out. The little grasshopper, unable to bear the pain of the foxtail grass being torn from its stem, hurriedly flew away from the scene of danger. Behind it, flowers and grasses crashed to the ground in a “clatter.” Without a moment to wipe the sweat from its brow, the little grasshopper, still shaken, flew toward the riverbank!
“Old buddy, how are you?”
The little grasshopper set the foxtail grass down by the river and asked anxiously.
“I’m okay. I finally escaped the jaws of danger!”
The foxtail grass embraced the little grasshopper tenderly!
A group of ants was marching in formation, carrying corn kernels. Since the little grasshopper and the foxtail grass were blocking their path, the ants shouted loudly:
“What a disgusting pair—cuddling in broad daylight! Move it! Don’t block our path—we’re busy here!”
Dogtail Grass finally let go of Little Grasshopper:
“What are you busy with? You’ll never be able to eat all that grain you’re carrying back!”
“Even though it’s summer now, we’re stocking up on food for the winter!”
“Isn’t winter still a long way off? Living just to survive all day is so boring—come travel and have adventures with us!”
The ants snorted in derision:
“Isn’t life just about staying alive and scraping by? What about these dreams of travel, adventure, and heroism—can those put food on the table?”
The little grasshopper picked up the foxtail grass with all four legs and left in a huff!
The little grasshopper flew and flew until he reached a cluster of trumpet flowers, which spread out like a floral net in every direction! The flowers were a kaleidoscope of colors: the blue ones looked like gems; the purple ones like amethyst; the pink ones like rose quartz. It was so beautiful that the little grasshopper and the foxtail grass couldn’t bear to leave!
“What beautiful flowers! How can they compare to me—I’m just an ugly dog’s tail!”
Dogtail Grass sighed enviously!
The trumpet flower held its head high:
“Youth is fleeting, and beauty is transient. I’m savoring this wonderful moment. Hurry up and take your friend away—don’t block my sunlight!”
The little grasshopper hopped angrily onto the trumpet flower, stinging it so hard that the flower begged for mercy. Just then, a rapid “chirp, chirp” sounded from nearby—it turned out two crickets were fighting! They glared at each other menacingly, raising their forewings and rubbing them vigorously back and forth, each trying to make the first move.
“Why are you fighting? Can’t you get along? Why don’t we go on an adventure together instead?”
One cricket’s eyes blazed with fury:
“This is my territory. What right does he have to take it? First come, first served—don’t you know that rule? It’s driving me crazy!”
The other cricket sneered:
“What do you mean, ‘your territory’? Don’t you know that the victor is king and the loser is the enemy? Let’s settle this with strength and might!”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the two crickets’ mandibles clamped down on each other in a fierce bite!
“Amen, peace is the greatest virtue!”
But the crickets fought with increasing ferocity, so the little grasshopper grabbed some foxtail grass and hurried away from the scene of the conflict!
“Old buddy, let’s head to the other side of the river. I could use a drink—I’m dying of thirst!”
Just as the little grasshopper was flying across the river, a little boy ran toward him:
“Big grasshopper, little airplane, fly, fly, fly!”
The little boy happily picked up some small stones and started throwing them at them. The little grasshopper couldn’t dodge in time and plunged headfirst into the water. Dogtail Grass was soaked from head to toe. He nervously pulled the little grasshopper out and, seeing that the little grasshopper was unharmed, broke into a smile through his tears:
“Little Grasshopper, you’re okay! Thank goodness! I thought you’d drowned!”
Little Grasshopper shook himself off and sat down on Dogtail Grass:
“Of course I’m fine. Let me tell you a secret: my nose isn’t on my head—it’s on my belly!”
Once Little Grasshopper had rested up and Dogtail Grass had drunk his fill and regained his strength, they set off again!
Day after day passed like this. They flew east, then west, south, and north, experiencing countless adventures! But Dogtail Grass grew weaker by the day until his whole body turned withered and yellow. Finally, he hung his head and said:
“Little Grasshopper—oh, no, Big Grasshopper—I can’t go on anymore! The days I spent with you were the happiest and most joyful of my life. Thank you! I think I’m about to leave you. Please don’t be sad; my heart will always be with you!”
The grasshopper was heartbroken. He sat beside the foxtail grass, his whole body slowly turning yellow, tears streaming down his face like a broken string. He clutched the foxtail grass tightly:
“My friend, now that you’re gone, my time is nearly up too. Autumn is coming, and I can’t escape the cold winter after all! I don’t want to keep adventuring—I want to stay here with you forever!”
“Little grasshopper learns to high jump, one leap onto the foxtail grass, one leap onto the foxtail grass. Legs spring, feet kick, ‘Who can jump higher than me!’ The grass sways, he takes a tumble, landing with a big bump on his head.”
Another group of schoolchildren ran past them singing nursery rhymes. The grasshopper sang with all his might, singing of their adventures, singing of the good life, singing of the coming harvest season!
Friends, do you hear the grasshopper’s song every night? He knows life is short, and all he can leave behind is his beautiful song, so he’s always there, telling the story of how he and the foxtail grass have stood by each other through thick and thin!
