小白鸽

A hawk swoops down toward a flock of pigeons flying toward the mainland. A little white pigeon is injured by the hawk while shielding the flock, its feathers scattering in the air. Da Niu, just out of school, sees this, takes out his slingshot, and hits the hawk, which flees. The injured little white pigeon drifts down and is picked up by Da Niu and the other children. In the pigeon’s message tube, they find a note that reads: “Departed from my island on June 10th. Little White Pigeon’s first long-distance flight training. Upon returning to Beijing, please contact immediately—Chinese People’s Liberation Army.” Da Niu and his younger sister take the pigeon home to nurse it back to health. Worried that the little tabby cat might harm the pigeon, Da Niu covers the cat with a bamboo basket, leaving the cat feeling wronged. At night, a mouse tries to steal the pigeon’s food. The little tabby cat overturns the basket and pounces on the mouse. Startled, the little white pigeon flies out of the house and struggles to land on a large tree by the door. Da Niu and his sister wake up and search everywhere for the pigeon. With the help of the little tabby cat, they finally find it. Da Niu and his sister help the little white pigeon practice flying. Once the pigeon has recovered and can fly again, all the children come to see it off. Some suggest that Da Niu write a letter to the PLA uncle to tell him who nursed the little white pigeon back to health. But his younger sister says, “We should learn from the PLA uncle and do good deeds without seeking praise.” Her brother agrees. He only writes about the pigeon’s condition in the letter. Then, the little white pigeon reluctantly leaves the children and flies toward the PLA uncle.