During their travels Huo Linghun and Xiao Xin happened upon wild roses. Many bushes grew together, dotted with dark pink, light pink, and white flowers.

“They’re so pretty,” Xiao Xin said, admiring the roses.

“Finish the sentence, Xiao Xin,” Huo Linghun said. “In a world full of roses, be a…”

Xiao Xin became quietly thoughtful, gently touching the roses’ soft petals. Eventually he replied, “In...

Here is my house, here is my horse

Here is the owl who stares into my soul

Here’s my collection of acorns and pinecones

Here is my knife and carved wood and stones

But where is my happiness?

There’s the bamboo

with its rustling leaves

There’s the little garden

complete with flowers and …bees

But where is my happiness?

There goes the river trickling over the rocks

There’s the hidden cliff upon...

I didn't know much. I knew the cliff walls, the woods, the river and the bushes. I didn't know beyond that.

I can't believe I didn't know...

The birds in the trees and the fish in the river were my only company. I knew loneliness.

I knew a canopy of leaves and I knew the sky- but not in the way I know it now.

I ate nuts and berries to survive. I knew sweetness, but only the kind you can taste...

I love to watch the sway of the trees

to feel the soft caress of a gentle breeze

to hear the quiet whisper of bamboo leaves

I love the sound of your laugh when I tease

when we sit together and you give my hand a squeeze

the affectionate brush of our touching knees

But there is something that causes me unease

something that won't listen to my terrified pleas

something that makes me bolt in fright...

The day had finally come where Xiao Xin agreed to try riding his pony, Peng You. Huo Linghun decided to start by teaching him the correct riding position.

"Keep your feet in the stirrups, sit up straight, and hold onto the reins," Huo Linghun directed.

Xiao Xin did not move from where he was leaning forward and clinging to Peng You's neck.

You are not doing a single thing I told you to do, Huo ...

"The sky is you

the sky is me."

"How can it be both?"

"It's us, you see.

"How big is the sky?"

"It goes as far as I can see."

"That's right, it's neverending,

just like you and me.

"What happens when it's bright and blue,

or when it's dark and gray?"

"The sky will always be there."

"I think we are that way.

"Do you see it, my Xiao Xin?

Do you see it too?"

"The sky is vast and deep and always,

j...

Sometimes Xiao Xin would wander off to explore their bamboo forest while Huo Linghun did other things, such as carve tiny statues out of wood. When Xiao Xin returned to their bamboo clearing they would always greet each other with an embrace.

Today, however, things were different. Xiao Xin returned with an owl sitting on his arm and Huo Linghun decided that observing from a distance would be best...

Xiao Xin was lagging behind as they hiked through a beautiful pine forest, but that was something he always did. There were lots of ways in which his curiosity shone through, and lots of things about him that made him a curiosity too, Huo Linghun thought.

When Xiao Xin caught up to him he held something up and asked, "What's this called?"

"That's a pinecone," Huo Linghun told him.

The ground ...

Huo Linghun was lying on their bed in their little bamboo house, the pain he was feeling shining through in his expression. "How did this happen..." he groaned.

Xiao Xin sat beside him, rubbing his sore back. "Remember yesterday when you lifted that big log over your head?" he mentioned. "That's probably what made your back hurt."

Huo Linghun just groaned again in response.

"Don't worry, I'll ...

Huo Linghun suddenly hit his head on a low tree branch as they were walking a forest trail. "Ow!" he exclaimed.

"You wouldn't hit your head like that if you were shorter," Xiao Xin teased, walking under the branch easily.

"Maybe, but I like being tall," Huo Linghun replied, "so I can do this." He kissed the top of Xiao Xin's head right where they were standing. "That's worth it even if I hit my...