John’s uncle Tom and his wife had a dog called Oliver with a white spot on his neck. When John stayed with them, he realized that Oliver was unhappy. He was not given his meals on time, nor was he taken for a walk. Oliver was shouted and abused all day.

“Your uncle bought Oliver so that the dog could protect his house from thieves, but actually neither he nor his wife loves him,” the gardener told John one day. John felt sad. At night, he could hear Oliver sobbing in the cold.“ Why don’t you make a coat for Oliver?” John paused and said,“ He feels cold.” His aunt snorted, “I have much better things to do.”

One day, John went out for a walk with Oliver, when the sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds and a fierce storm started raging. People ran here and there for protection, as the rain started falling. John ran to take shelter in a candy shop. It was only after a few minutes that he realized that Oliver was not with him. John searched the entire place after the storm but he couldn’t find him. John’s uncle put an advertisement in the paper. After all, he had spent lots of money buying Oliver and did not want to lose him.

It was a half-hour ride by bus. The house was a beautiful brick-colored structure. The middle-aged lady who greeted Oliver was a kind woman; She and her husband had answered John’s uncle’s advertisement in the paper. Since John’s uncle was out on an official tour, John had been sent to check on the dog

“He is asleep,” the lady said. “Come and have a look.” The small bed on which Oliver slept was covered with a warm quilt. A pot of milk stood in a corner of the room possibly for Oliver’s next feed. “I found him on the back seat of the car. He must have crept in during the storm. The poor dear was shaking with cold when I first noticed him,” the lady said.

Eduardo reached into his backpack, searching for his cell phone. He was scared of having to spend the spring break at Aunt Letty’s farm. Although he had protested, his parents decided that spending time on the farm would be a great experience for him. They grew up on a farm and believed that responsibility, hard work and respect for the land were valuable lessons.

“So, have you ever ridden a horse?” Aunt Letty asked, trying to turn his attention away from his phone. “Hmmm, no.” he answered. “Well, we’ve got a nice calm horse I think you will like. Hercules----sounds like a beast, but he’s basically a gentle giant-big but kindhearted!” she said, smiling. Eduardo glanced at his aunt, annoyed that he was expected to work. He tried to text a friend, but there was no cell reception.

The next two days were busy. The crow of the roosters woke them up, and they had breakfast before dawn. Then they went out to the barn to get the feed while animals waited to be fed. The afternoons were filled with transporting hay, cleanup, and caring for the animals. At dusk, when the farm was finally quiet, Aunt Letty stretched her arms out and breathed. “Just take a deep breath of that sweet country air!” Eduardo, exhausted from the chores, was unable to appreciate his work.

On the fourth day, without warning, Aunt Letty announced, “It’s time to meet Hercules.” She led him into the stable (马厩). Aunt Letty was right. Hercules was remarkable.

Aunt Letty held her hand open for Eduardo to take. Unwillingly, he let her guide his hand toward Hercules and allowed the magnificent creature to sniff his palm. Softly, Hercules rubbed his nose and mouth against him.

“It feels like velvet (天鹅绒)!” Eduardo beamed. An hour later, he couldn’t help scratching Hercules on his neck and offering him carrots. Magically, a bond between them formed. That night, as they headed toward the house, Eduardo was inspired. His arms spreading wide, he inhaled and said, “Take a breath of that sweet country air!”

One morning, Eduardo found Aunt Letty riding the horse Hercules.

Soon, Eduardo’s spring break came to an end.

We’re not trying to save the animals. Actually, we’re trying to save ourselves.

Learn to Exist in Harmony with Nature

Every time I think about Zhaxi’s words “We’re not trying to save the animals. Actually, we’re trying to save ourselves.”, the image of Tibetan antelopes appears in my mind. For them, the 1980s and 1990s were bad times. The population dropped by more than 50 percent.