PLANTING WAS XINXIN’S
least favorite season. It meant hours of
stooping with his knees in the dirt. Worst
ofall...
“What is this?” Didi sneered at
Xinxin’s crooked sweet potato row.
“A monkey could do better.”
Xinxin fumed but kept his mouth
shut. While he’d barely finished his first
row,histwinbrotherwasonhisthird,
and Didi’s seedlings stood as straight as
disciplined militiamen.
BeforeDidicouldhurlanothertaunt,
Ma tramped over with a tray of seedlings.
“I’ll finish here. You two go to calligraphy
practice.”
Didi’ssmirkfell.“Icanstay—”
“Go. Grandpa’s waiting.”
Xinxin laughed silently as Ma shooed
them away. Didi was bigger, stronger, and
wieldedahoeaswellasagrownup,but
his brushstrokes were chicken scratches.
Xinxin’s handwriting, on the other hand,
was their grandfather’s pride.
As they took the footpath home, Didi
muttered, “Calligraphy’s boring.”
“I think it’s fun. Besides, we’re Baos,
and Baos are scholars,” Xinxin piped,
quoting Grandpa’s favorite saying.
Xinxin’schestpuffedasherecalled
Grandpa’stalesabouttheirancestors.
Baos had been prominent magistrates
oftheMingDynasty.Entrepreneursin
theYangzhousalttrade.Qing-Eraphi-
lanthropists. And all were accomplished
intellectuals.Hidden
Heritage
BY S. Q. ERIES
Illustrated by Ju-Hong Chen
text © 2019 by Melinda Ng, art © 2019 by Ju-Hong Chen