(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-16 07:40

Were it not for the fatal earthquake that has forever taken their youthful lives, they might never even be known to us, nor their noble characters.

Even in reports from the spots, their stories took only two short paragraphs. But in a moment of life's cruelest test, they provided, at the cost of their lives, a heart-breaking footnote to the greatest virtue of humanity.

Let us remember and cherish their names, Zhang Laiya, and Lian Fang, two ordinary teachers of Yingxiu Primary School at the epicenter of the deadly tremor.

The school's six-storey classroom building was reduced to rubble in the earthquake, leaving 200 or more students and teachers stranded underneath.

Teacher Zhang was already dead, lying prostrate under chunks of concrete, when he was dug out from the ruins.

But under his body were two of his students held by his arms, one safe and unscathed, the other with only a bruised hand.

Teacher Lian was found dead, too, in a strikingly similar posture as that of Teacher Zhang's. Under her body and in her embrace, too, were two students, who remained unhurt.

The strongest of imaginations cannot picture for us what the last moments of their lives were like. They may not even had time to say anything beyond hurried safety instructions to the students before the light was abruptly snuffed out from their lives.

No words are adequate. The almost identical positions in which their bodies were found tell a tear-drawing story of heroism. When their very own lives were at stake, the two teachers spontaneously chose to turn the slim ray of hope to save their students.

Nothing can better illustrate their love for the students, their loyalty to their duties as teachers, and their noble humanitarian qualities. They represent the most precious, and in a sense often scarce, presence of idealistic concerns in an increasingly pragmatic society. Their heroic deeds will inspire new confidence in the existence of beautiful minds right in the rather plain crowds around us.

We share the profound sorrow of their bereaved families, colleagues and students. With their students rescued and now safe and well, the two great teachers can rest in peace.

We believe they would have had better consolation if they could see that their heroic stories are having a spontaneous resonance in the general public.

Their touching stories of bravery and idealism are having unending sequels in the acts of numerous but nameless civilian heroes and heroines as well as of an ever-expanding contingent of volunteers.

(China Daily 05/16/2008 page8)