He Jiawei
Whenever I hear the song "Birds in pairs on the tree, green water and green mountains with smiling faces...", I will think of the nest on the persimmon tree in my hometown and the song of magpies. For many years, this persimmon tree, magpie nest and bird song have carried our endless memories and homesickness.
According to the elders, the tall persimmon tree behind the house in my hometown is more than 200 years old. In spring, the persimmon trees sprouted green buds, which were beautiful, eye-catching and heart nourishing; In summer, the persimmon trees are full of yellow and white flowers, bearing blue fruits, with numerous branches and lush leaves; In autumn, clusters of fiery persimmons hang all over the branches, swaying in the wind; In winter, the persimmon leaves fall back to their roots, and a conspicuous "black bird's nest" is exposed on the high branches, which is like a beautiful watercolor painting of "red and black". During the persimmon ripening period every year, pairs of magpies jump and sing happily on the persimmon tree, attracting other birds to gather for a rest from time to time.
One year, I hoped that the persimmons in the coming year would be more fruitful and beautiful. I was afraid that the mature persimmons would be climbed by the magpies again. I climbed up to the top of the swaying persimmon tree, removed the bird nest on the branch, and caused the screams of the magpies... In the future, the poor birds would have to build their nests elsewhere. However, since I removed the nest, "birds scattered in the nest", and even other birds who usually come to the tree to join in the fun have also decreased. What's more strange is that the fruit rate on persimmon trees in the next year has not increased, but has decreased a lot. Even the leaves of persimmon trees turn yellow early and fall off one after another, and some persimmons appear deformed.
Since ancient times, farmers have rarely sprayed pesticides on persimmon trees. The birds on persimmon trees are actually the "God of Protection" of persimmon trees. In other words, to be honest, the insects on the trees are the main food for birds, and persimmon is just a supplementary food for birds in cold winter. In those years, the persimmon trees full of insects, without the pecking of birds, could not talk about a good harvest or a good rate of results. As for the birds who have paid through a year of hard work and sweat, it is not impossible to taste several "fruits of labor" during the ripening period of persimmons. When we were young, the night before we were ready to pick persimmons, no wonder we always heard adults repeatedly telling us: "Don't pick too much fruit on the persimmon tree, remember to keep a few more..." So that's the truth.
Suddenly one day, a warm wind hit, and the lovely magpies returned to the persimmon tree, perhaps the previous batch, or their descendants. They may know that, according to the laws of nature, in addition to their basic survival and living needs, they have the responsibility or obligation to protect the tree. As a result of the previous experience and lessons, we will not interfere with their nesting and "raising children" in this tree, nor will we interfere with their "tasting" in the persimmon tree. This year, since they returned and settled down again, the number of insects on persimmon trees has decreased, and the branches and leaves of persimmon trees have "come back from the dead". In the newly rejuvenated branches and leaves, the number of persimmons produced has increased many times over the previous years, which can be described as "magpies climb the branches and have many fruits".
Over the years, I have been thinking that the rise and fall of this persimmon tree in my hometown may be a miniature of nature. Human beings and nature themselves are a community of shared future in harmony and coexistence. If human beings want to "make persimmons as they wish", they must follow the laws of nature. On the occasion of the "persimmon red" season, I wish the birds on the persimmon tree to pair up and enjoy their nests. I also wish the birds, like human beings, a happy and comfortable life every day.
