The simple man and the big machines
The simple man and the big machines
This is a simple retelling of one of the most famous moments of peaceful protest in modern history - when an ordinary citizen courageously stood in front of military tanks, showing the world that individual bravery and humanity can triumph over force and fear.
Li worked at a small shop in the city.
Li worked at a small shop in the city.
Every day, he sold books and newspapers to people.
Every day, he sold books and newspapers to people.
He had a wife named Mei and two young children - a boy and a girl.
He had a wife named Mei and two young children - a boy and a girl.
Li loved his quiet life.
Li loved his quiet life.
In the morning, he would buy fresh food at the market.
In the morning, he would buy fresh food at the market.
In the evening, he would read stories to his children.
In the evening, he would read stories to his children.
On weekends, the family would walk in the park and feed the birds.
On weekends, the family would walk in the park and feed the birds.
But for many weeks, the city was different.
But for many weeks, the city was different.
Young people were meeting in the big square.
Young people were meeting in the big square.
They wanted changes in their country.
They wanted changes in their country.
They sang songs and held signs.
They sang songs and held signs.
They wanted a better life for everyone.
They wanted a better life for everyone.
The government did not like this.
The government did not like this.
They sent soldiers to the city.
They sent soldiers to the city.
On this day, Li went to buy food like always.
On this day, Li went to buy food like always.
He bought red apples for his daughter.
He bought red apples for his daughter.
She loved red apples.
She loved red apples.
He bought fresh bread for dinner.
He bought fresh bread for dinner.
His son loved warm bread with butter.
His son loved warm bread with butter.
The market was almost empty.
The market was almost empty.
The sellers looked worried.
The sellers looked worried.
"Go home quickly," an old woman told Li.
"Go home quickly," an old woman told Li.
"Big trouble is coming."
"Big trouble is coming."
Li walked toward his house.
Li walked toward his house.
But then he saw them - huge green machines rolling down the street.
But then he saw them - huge green machines rolling down the street.
They were war tanks.
They were war tanks.
Inside each tank was a young soldier.
Inside each tank was a young soldier.
One soldier was named Wang.
One soldier was named Wang.
He was only nineteen years old.
He was only nineteen years old.
Wang did not want to hurt anyone.
Wang did not want to hurt anyone.
But his captain told him: "Drive to the square.
But his captain told him: "Drive to the square.
Move everyone away."
Move everyone away."
The tanks stopped when they saw Li.
The tanks stopped when they saw Li.
Li was just a normal man.
Li was just a normal man.
He was not tall or strong.
He was not tall or strong.
He wore simple clothes.
He wore simple clothes.
He held two plastic bags with food for his family.
He held two plastic bags with food for his family.
But Li thought about his children.
But Li thought about his children.
What kind of world did he want for them?
What kind of world did he want for them?
A world where big machines could scare people?
A world where big machines could scare people?
Or a world where people could speak freely?
Or a world where people could speak freely?
Li did not move.
Li did not move.
Wang looked at this small man through his tank window.
Wang looked at this small man through his tank window.
Wang thought about his own father.
Wang thought about his own father.
His father also carried bags home from the market.
His father also carried bags home from the market.
The whole world watched.
The whole world watched.
Li stood there for many minutes.
Li stood there for many minutes.
He showed everyone that one ordinary person can be stronger than the biggest machine.
He showed everyone that one ordinary person can be stronger than the biggest machine.
People in many countries saw Li on television.
People in many countries saw Li on television.
They said: "If this man can be brave, we can be brave too."
They said: "If this man can be brave, we can be brave too."
Wang could not drive his tank forward.
Wang could not drive his tank forward.
How could he hurt a man who was just carrying food home to his family?
How could he hurt a man who was just carrying food home to his family?
Li walked away slowly.
Li walked away slowly.
But his message was clear: sometimes love is stronger than fear.
But his message was clear: sometimes love is stronger than fear.