in2ebook Chapter 256: Wood Stove (2)
Chapter 256: Wood Stove (2)
Wood stoves have a long and rich history in this ancient and vast land of China. As early as the Neolithic Age, primitive fire pits appeared, their dancing flames providing warmth and cooked food for early humans. Over time, through countless generations of wisdom and innovation, wood stoves have evolved into diverse forms and possessed a richer range of functions.
Even today, despite the widespread availability of modern kitchen appliances, wood stoves remain an essential tool for cooking in rural areas. The brick and stone hearth, topped with a massive iron pot, reigns supreme in the rural kitchen. Whenever smoke curls upward, accompanied by the crackling sound of burning wood, the entire village is filled with the rich aroma of home.
Looking around the world, we find that cooking facilities like wood stoves are ubiquitous, even in different cultural contexts. Of course, they may differ slightly in their specific forms, but in essence, they all rely on humans' ingenious use of fire, a powerful energy source, and satisfy their basic need for cooking.
It's particularly noteworthy that in many rural areas, the large stove is more than just a simple cooking tool. It's a symbol of warmth and cohesion, deeply ingrained in every household. During major festivals and weddings, families gather around the large stove, busily preparing sumptuous meals. At that moment, the blazing fire illuminates everyone's joyful faces, and the steam rising from the pot carries laughter and joyful chatter into the air. The large stove becomes the most vivid symbol of reunion and happiness.
Furthermore, the daily use of the large pot stove fully demonstrates the wisdom and diligence of rural residents. They understand how to select the right wood to ensure a strong and long-lasting fire; they know how to control the heat to perfectly cook ingredients. This mastery of traditional techniques and efficient use of natural resources reflects people's unwavering pursuit of a better life and their sincere respect for traditional culture.
After a detailed introduction to the unique, rustic wood-burning stove, the clock struck noon before we knew it. The air was thick with the aroma of food, making our mouths water.
"Dear ones, it's almost lunchtime! Let's hurry up and get ready so we can have a nice meal, okay?" Lotta said to the children with a gentle smile. Her voice was as soft as the spring breeze, bringing warmth to everyone's heart.
I subconsciously glanced at the wall clock. As Lotta had said, it was indeed getting late. So, I quickly agreed, "Okay, let's get moving!" Then, Lotta and I led the group of adorable children toward the restaurant.
Along the way, the children were like a flock of happy little birds, chirping and discussing what kind of delicious food was waiting for them today. Lotta and I followed behind, reminding them from time to time to pay attention to the road under their feet and not to run too fast and fall.
Finally we arrived at the restaurant, and the children rushed to the sink and washed their hands carefully. Looking at their innocent smiling faces, my heart was filled with joy and happiness.
At this highly anticipated moment, the restaurant staff, smiling, carefully pushed out an exquisite dining cart. The cart was filled with mouth-watering delicacies that were both beautiful and fragrant. They exuded an alluring aroma, as if telling everyone about their unique charm.
When the children saw the delicious food, their tired eyes instantly brightened up, like twinkling stars in the night sky. They danced with joy and cheered uncontrollably, their cheerful voices echoing throughout the restaurant, and everyone else couldn't help but be infected by their joy.
Lotta and I quickly took action, quickly taking out clean and tidy tableware from the cabinet and distributing it to each child. At the same time, we arranged the children's seats in an orderly manner to ensure that every child could enjoy this sumptuous meal comfortably.
During mealtime, the children gathered around the table, savoring the delicious food with relish while happily sharing their morning's interesting stories. Their chirping and laughter filled the air, their clear and melodious voices dancing and echoing joyfully throughout the restaurant like beautiful musical notes.
Just then, there was a sudden "bang" sound. It turned out that Yaheng had accidentally knocked over the cup in front of him. The water in the cup instantly poured out, splashing onto Yuyun's clothes. Yuyun was caught off guard and was startled by the sudden situation. She looked down at her wet clothes, her eyes suddenly reddened, and tears welled up in her eyes, looking like they were about to burst out like a flood.
Seeing this, I hurried over, squatted down, gently stroked Yuyun's hair, smiled and comforted her, "It's okay, baby, let's just go change into clean clothes. Besides, this is just an unexpected little episode." After hearing what I said, Yuyun's mood stabilized a little, but she still looked a little aggrieved.
Seeing this, the other children rushed over to comfort Yuyun. Some held her hand, whispering sweet nothings. Others reached for tissues from their seats and handed them to Yaheng, asking him to quickly wipe the water off Yuyun. Yaheng, who had caused the disaster, was now filled with apology. He hurriedly took the tissue, carefully wiping the water off Yuyun's clothes, and sincerely apologized to her.
With everyone's concerted efforts to appease them, the minor disturbance quickly subsided. The children returned to their previous cheerful mood and happily continued to enjoy the food on the table. Before long, the children were well fed and satisfied, their bellies bulging with food.
After dinner, Lotta and I led these adorable little ones to the nap room for their afternoon nap. The children climbed obediently into their beds, tucked themselves under their soft blankets, and quietly drifted off to sleep. I stood by their beds, gazing at their peaceful, slumbering faces, feeling immensely comforted. Seeing these innocent children so peacefully absorbed in their sweet dreams, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, a smile of happiness spreading across my face. I thought to myself: What a fulfilling and wonderful day!