Xiaogang skipped through the vast fields, overgrown with bluegrass and wheat. The wind blew gently; the sky a mix of orange and blue. The temperature was slightly chilly, and Xiaogang continued his journey into the never-ending plain. He was alone in this vast, vast field, and with high spirits he sang a song. "The east is red, the sun is rising. China has brought forth a Mao Zedong." Familiar lyrics from school.

The skipping motions of his feet soon broke into a walk. Black strokes of paint added to the orange sky. Soon, it was dark, and the walk was now a trudge. Xiaogang kept walking, his song getting softer and softer. "He works for the people's happiness, he is the people's great saving star" the words listlessly forming at his lips.

He finally stopped, finding himself still in the middle of the vast field. North, south, east and west were just captors of the repetitions of that Kentucky bluegrass. The moon shone brightly, and owls made their owl noises though there seemed to be no trees. Xiaogang felt alone, albeit that was the case since the day. He sat down with a jolt and looked up into the sky. It was as vast as the field he was in now.

He looked at the stars, some of them clouded. He tried to make out the constellations he had learnt in school; yet the school had never taught him such things. Feeling the strain in his neck, he decided to lie down on the soft cool grass. His hands tucked themselves behind his head, his eyes began to close.

The lyrics of the song started to ring in his head again, and tears began to form at his eyes. "The Communist Party is like the sun, bringing light wherever is shines. Where there's the Communist Party, there the people will win liberation."

He tried to feel liberated, and kept on trying.