Life of Bāo - Chapter 4
May 12, 2009 (One year after the earthquake)
Chapter 4
May 12, 2009 (One year after the earthquake)
The end of Chapter 3 closed with Bāo and Yan’s return to the orphanage. Their day in the city was ruined by Bāo’s misguided attraction to ‘shiny things.’ A short but necessary chapter 4 sheds light on his journey to the orphanage.
Cheng Wei, the chief executive officer of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, authoritatively said," That child cannot stay here any longer. He is now one year old. This is not an orphanage, Dr. Shen.”
"Yes, but –"
Mr. Cheng cut him off and insisted, “He must be gone by the end of the week. Do you understand me?"
"Yes." Dr. Shen replied, turned, and walked out of the office. Four nurses were waiting on the unit to talk with him.
Almost unison, the nurses asked, "What did he say?"
Dr. Shen sadly replied, “Bāo Loong must leave within five days. I am sorry, but please contact Chendu Children's Welfare Institute and make arrangements." He apologized again and, with his head down, walked out of his office.
The nurses were disappointed, but the senior announced, "There isn't any reason we should delay Bāo’s second birthday party.” They all agreed and spent the next 30 minutes preparing the room.
They brought Bāo into the nurses’ break room and sat him in a highchair at the head of the table. He saw colors and shapes. There were dumplings for good fortune, and hard-boiled eggs died red, symbolizing joy and renewed life. There were also noodles and peach buns.
One of the nurses asked quizzically, "How do we know that today is Bāo's birthday?”
The senior nurse replied, "We don't really. Bāo was assigned a birth date on the date he was found. We also gave him the sir name Loong. No one ever claimed him. He was wearing a blue onesie with the name Bāo stitched on the clothing, and Loong came from the name and block letters monogrammed on the onesie. For many months, we referred to him as ‘little dragon,’ but he needed a birth certificate, so we named him Bāo Loong, with a birthdate of May 12, 2008, the same date as the Sichuan earthquake. He became a miracle, reborn on that date."
"The Year of the Earth Rat."
"That's right another nurse replied.” Then she followed up with a question." What does the Rat represent?"
The new nurse to the unit answered first, "Wisdom, wealth, and prosperity."
“Oh, aren't you the smart one? Tell me, “Why does the rat start the 12-year cycle?"
No one responded. But one of the new nurses said sarcastically, “Tell us why, sage."
She smiled and walked over to Bāo. She knelt by his highchair, made eye contact with all the nurses, looked at Bāo, and said, "Little dragon, the Jade Emperor called all the animals to appoint the zodiac signs. The rat was the first animal to arrive, and so the rat starts the 12-year cycle."
"Great story," someone said, "Now let's eat."
After everyone had finished eating, there was one more activity to complete, which is a traditional custom to predict the child's future. On the table, they placed various objects: a Pen, a Book, a Cake, a Coin, and a Compass. They gathered around the table and placed Bāo before the objects. He leaned forward and looked carefully while rocking back and forth. His right hand started to reach for the coin and suddenly stopped. He crossed his left hand over the right and grabbed the compass.
One of the nurses shouted, "Adventure!"
They all laughed and clapped as Bāo held both hands over his head, still holding the compass with his left hand. He laughed with them.
By the end of the week, Bāo was placed and became the responsibility of the Chendu Children's Welfare Institute.