My love story with Grasshopper

I took a walk in the evening in mid-autumn and caught several grasshoppers in a farmer's bean field.

There was no grasshopper cage, so I had to put these little elves in a pot of lush golden-edged spider plants on top of the refrigerator to temporarily humiliate them. The family was sitting on the sofa, watching TV, waiting quietly for the chirping of the grasshoppers, and listening to the natural sounds they played. But the grasshoppers seemed to be frightened, or maybe it was because of the change of environment. In the bean field, they screamed loudly, but when I caught them, there was no movement at all. When I was wondering, suddenly a slightly hoarse voice came from the past: "squeak", "squeak", "squeak", three times in succession, and the syllables were spoken one by one. I listened carefully and heard that it was Grasshopper. The sound quality was pure and loud, with a sense of richness and frustration, and the rhythm was very slow. The sounds were monotonous and suspended, just like the ancients reciting poems; and like the patriarch of a clan, he had a domineering leadership. majesty. The other grasshoppers seemed to have heard the call of the "tribe leader". It was really amazing! They opened their voices one after another and performed a unique concert. If you carefully distinguish between these pieces of music, it seems that there are different musical sensations, some are sharp, some are hoarse, some are soft, some are rough, and the music of various parts is intertwined together, just like the harmony in a chorus. The pleasant melody and pleasant voice are as good as the Chinese voice.

Hearing the singing of the grasshoppers, my heart suddenly felt like I had flown to the countryside I had not seen for a long time, and I felt like I was returning to the countryside! In the evening of summer, if you walk on the field path under the melons and plums, you will hear a crisp, melodious, soft and elegant call, "chirp again, magnolias are weaving in the house." That "chirp" and slightly "rustle" sound The sound is the graceful singing of the grasshopper in summer and autumn. Listening to it again now, it feels so familiar and cordial. Calling its elegant alias - "Spinning Cotton Girl" (that's what people in my hometown call it), is like traveling through time and space, thinking of my grandmother, mother, the old spinning wheel and the long white cotton. The long cotton thread... It's like hearing the "squeaking" sound made by my mother when she gently cranks the spinning wheel; it's also like listening to a wonderful musical ensemble. The summer insects are singing and the green grass is lingering. How many lingering years and childhood past events are inhabited in this sweet singing, deeply rooted in the soil, and missed among relatives. Dreams linger in my hometown, just like the wormwood on both sides of the road. Although no one pays attention to it, it dyes the passing years green and leaves behind the fragrance along the way. The chirping of summer insects has become a song that reminds me of my hometown most, the mountains and flowing water, and a landscape swaying deep in my heart. It is soft and long.

Without a grasshopper cage, it would not be a problem to keep the grasshopper in the spider plant. My lover was creative and modified an abandoned birdcage. In order to prevent the grasshoppers from escaping, we used scrap iron wires to cut them into suitable lengths and encrypted the pillars, beams and ceiling of the birdcage. Then we caught the grasshoppers inside and hung them on the eaves of the courtyard upstairs. Next, put some food such as green vegetable leaves and carrots in the cage, and of course their favorite delicacy, pumpkin flowers. It seems that the effect is good, these grasshoppers really regard this birdcage as their own home. These little guys are greedy and lazy by nature. When they see delicious food, they all bar their big teeth and enjoy the delicious food without any scruples. After eating and drinking, he would stay aside and tease each other with his companions, poking and teasing each other; or else he would use the two long tentacles to constantly rub them on his horse's face (the grasshopper has a long face). Wipe it off and look pretty alone, as if you are refinishing your makeup for your not-so-pretty face. At about ten o'clock in the evening, the Grasshoppers, led by the majestic patriarch, kicked off the show on time and the performance began.

Grasshoppers are born kings of singers, which can be compared with the chirping of cicadas in summer. A dozen grasshoppers gathered together and sang in unison, "squeak, squeak..." the sound was loud. Pure and thick, the music is soft and sweet. The sounds come and go, singing here and harmonizing there, the formations are in order, the sound is gentle and the wind is drizzle. Maybe you want to say that it is so powerful? Don't tell me, even though they are only a dozen or so elves, once they start singing, the sound is like the waves of pine waves sent from the dense forest; it is also like the tide coming from the Qiantang River, especially in this quiet night, When I was away from the hustle and bustle of the city and resting my mind, the beautiful singing was particularly clear to my ears. Even the security guard in the duty room next to my house downstairs was surprised and came out to listen and appreciate it, knowing that it was coming from upstairs in my house. At this time, if you are leaning in front of the window, sipping a cup of mountain orchid tea, don’t think about anything, just listen to the sounds of nature, and you will have a unique situation in your heart

It’s strange Yes, these grasshoppers stayed still during the day, and their songs could not be heard at all, as if their work was at night. Late one night, I guess it was around eleven o'clock, I was rushing to write a manuscript, and suddenly I heard the loud and clear cry of the leading grasshopper. At first glance, it sounded like a trombone in a symphony orchestra, with a pure sound. It is low-pitched and full of personality, and it sounds like a state of beauty that cannot be ignored. The rest sing along with the syllables of "Boss". I am very curious, among these several grasshoppers, which one is so majestic and domineering? I'm going to get to the bottom of this. So I walked quietly to the grasshopper cage, but these little ghosts and spirits seemed to hear the movement. The singing suddenly stopped and there was no sound for an instant. The surroundings seemed quiet, so I stopped walking. Pause to get closer, hold your breath, and wait for good news.

After a minute or two, the Grasshoppers thought there was no danger anymore, and the one who started singing tentatively adjusted its voice and hummed slightly again. I quickly turned on the flashlight and saw clearly the leading Grasshopper. It was graceful and elegant in appearance, well-proportioned and petite. It had a green coat, two slender and powerful thighs arched forward, and its silk-like tentacles were slightly swaying, long and wide. His face is inlaid with two bright and protruding eyes, which move intelligently, as if he has something to say to you. The two thin and transparent wings are clear and long, and they are vibrating slightly as they rub against each other. That wonderful sound actually comes from here. This is simply amazing.

Listening to the singing of the elves, I can’t help but think of our childhood. Although we were born at the wrong time, we encountered three years of natural disasters, lack of food and clothing, and the hardship of life. As a young child, we prematurely share the sorrows of our parents, but we can fully enjoy the blessings of nature, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mountains, and listen to the singing of hundreds of birds. Especially in summer and autumn, the melodious chirping of insects is mesmerizing. Think about today's children. Apart from their abundant material living conditions, they grow up surrounded by electronic toys. Close contact with nature is very rare. Needless to say, they can see these elves with their own eyes and hear these things. The beautiful and sweet sounds of nature are even more difficult to master. So I was secretly happy. My grandson came back at the weekend and saw the grasshopper we caught. Needless to say, he must be very happy.

As soon as the little guy entered the door, I hurriedly "showed off my merits" to him. I saw him gently approaching the simple cage and looking left and right. Although the little one was curious, it did not arouse any curiosity. He was very interested and not as happy as I imagined. After watching it for a while, he went to play with his beloved toy gun. My grandson went to bed early in the evening, and the Grasshoppers hadn't started their performance yet. When he woke up, it was already around 11 o'clock, and it was the climax of the Grasshoppers' performance. The beautiful and continuous calls drove his curiosity. , he asked: "Grandma, what is this sound?" I said: "Listen, the grasshopper's voice is so beautiful!" What do you think the little guy said? "Oh, this sound is so noisy that I can't even sleep." I was so disappointed. I thought that what my grandpa and I had achieved for several nights in a row was just to win the favor of our little grandson, but I didn't expect that he didn't appreciate it!

Grasshoppers are beneficial insects. When there is sufficient food, they will not damage crops. They are known as field guards and are experts at catching pests. I think they should belong to the vast countryside, that is their home. At dusk the next day, I opened the small door of the grasshopper cage and let out the elves one by one. After all, the grasshoppers couldn't resist the temptation of the flowers and gardens downstairs. They spread their powerful legs one after another and jumped quickly with a thump. When you reach the downstairs or treetops a few feet away, you instantly disappear into the dense green leaves without a trace.

In the evening, I was leaning on the bedside, holding Nalan's book of poems in my hand and looking at it in fascination. Suddenly, a short and melancholy sound of a grasshopper broke the tranquility of the night, and then the sound was replaced by a short sound. An elegant and crisp moan. Listen carefully, the sound is like the patter of spring rain falling on the sycamore trees in front of the window, rising and falling urgently; it is also like the warm and gentle spring breeze rustling through the treetops and being carried in the wind. I feel strange, didn’t I let all the grasshoppers fly? Where is the singing of the grasshopper? I got up, picked up the flashlight, opened the courtyard door, and looked for the sound. It turned out that among the green leaves in a pot of finches, it was the green grasshopper that was responsible for the pilot, vibrating its wings vigorously, and the sound Although it was not as powerful as when it was with its brothers, its elegant and clear cry seemed particularly pure. I listened carefully, and there seemed to be a hint of resentment in my voice, as if I was talking to someone! Could it be that he was complaining that the eight or nine brothers who had left it were not friends enough? It's long and slow, and if you taste it carefully, it's like the joy and sorrow of a newlywed bride crying when she gets married. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was actually a Grasshopper staying with me here. Could it have peeked into my heart? How disappointing it is to release them! I was moved. But I think that sooner or later it will follow its partner and fly away. I can't keep it, I will definitely give it freedom!

In order to feed it well, I get up early and go to the vegetable farmer's melon field to look for its favorite dewy pumpkin flowers. Sometimes I also take some time out of my busy schedule to go to the farmer's bean field, I looked for grasshoppers and some small insects in the cornfield to feed the elf. I also changed my tricks and cut the apple into thin slices and placed them in front of it. Cut the carrot into thin strips. Sprinkle it around where it stops. I even tried to break a small piece of chocolate and put it in front of its mouth. At first it seemed indifferent and unmoved by these delicacies, but when you were out of sight, it quickly turned its head, opened its mouth, and clicked its two big buck teeth, and it ate three pieces of a pumpkin flower. Two-thirds of the time, the small piece of chocolate was also licked up. When the Grasshopper was full of food, he boldly climbed out for a walk. Although it is small in size, it is very smart. It can see all directions and listen in all directions. If there is any slight disturbance, it will immediately stop moving and give people the illusion of being motionless. When you hold your breath and are about to touch it, The ghostly creature instantly kicked off its two sharp thighs, turned around and ran away, hiding among the flowers. But when you came back to look for it after a while, it was back among the branches of the plum tree, dressing up. I was afraid that it would get angry due to the autumn dryness, so I used a watering can for watering flowers to spray some water mist on its nest in the evening. You can see it jumping around on the branches of the plum tree, like an actor in an acrobatic troupe, doing various tricks. Difficult moves.

Sometimes I see it as if it is missing its companions, thinking about something on its mind, and is lonely by the flowerpot, so I take it out to bask in the sun, squat down and talk to it. Maybe it was my kindness that impressed it, but the elf became so familiar with me, like a frequent guest in my house, walking around freely in the yard, sometimes waddling naughtily, jumping on your toes, and gently kissing it. Be coquettish with you.

One day, my lover went to Jiuzhaigou for photography with the Photographers Association. It happened to be the beginning of a new week, and I was alone at home. My children were worried that I would be lonely at home, so they insisted that I stay with them for a few days. I couldn’t resist. They had no choice but to tidy up the house, put the grasshoppers in order, and prepare enough food. I wanted to let it go. It was up to it to decide whether to go or stay. Maybe it had left to follow its companions when I came back, or maybe it had... But when I came back from four days away and went upstairs and opened the courtyard door, I was shocked. Yes, the Grasshopper is still there, not gone, it’s still alive! It was lying motionless on the edge of the bird's plum basin. Its two thin and long tentacles were seen swinging above its head, and its pair of eyes were looking around. It seemed that its body was a bit weak. It turns out that Grasshoppers are delicate by nature and pay particular attention to their diet. They do not eat expired food. Although I left plenty of food when I left, it was no longer fresh. I squatted down and called the Grasshopper softly. You may not believe it, but it actually took small green steps and moved towards the yard where I stood on my toes. For the first time, I heard it "squeak, squeak" twice. In this broad daylight The short chirp seemed to be greeting me, but the chirp was weak. I immediately cut some carrot slices and put them in front of it. After a while, I heard a stinging sound, and it gnawed off a piece of carrot into a big crescent shape. The Grasshopper stayed in this small courtyard until autumn turned to winter, but in the end it couldn't resist the cold wind, so it followed the autumn wind.

People often say that dogs understand human nature, but they never expected that a small insect, the grasshopper, can be so spiritual.

It knows that I am good to it, so it gets close to me, never leaves me, and even knows how to be grateful, not to mention us humans...