The minds of children and very young people often work this way: they trust those who are with them. Look at all the events in life and you will see that the innocent mind is infinitely wise.
However, very young people are naive by nature. Because they are not paying attention, they are not afraid of the dangers they are walking through.
***
I remember every change in the schoolyard scenery from the early 1990s until now. Miraculously, in 2008 I was still a student! But perhaps not as miraculous as what happened in the University yard in the early morning and late afternoon, in the early 1990s.
Early in the morning, you can see many old people and children in the school yard. They do light exercise and enjoy the new sunshine. My parents told me to come home before 7am so that “everyone can study and work”. But when my parents went to work, my friend and I secretly invited each other to run around the school yard and meet many other groups of children.
In the late afternoon, the school yard was bustling with students doing their own exercises. Back then, there were no feng shui balls (which are no longer there), but in front of the current E building yard, there were many horizontal and parallel bars, uneven parallel bars, and basketball poles. The students back then were so light-bodied, it seemed like everyone knew how to stand on a bar, stand on one leg, and hold on with one hand.
Then there were some evenings when the 7x generation students camped on the school grounds. They didn’t have outdoor LED screens, lighting systems, and smoke machines like today. But you know, the MC of a student camp said, “Let’s dance, students!” And they danced, they really danced. There was joy and fire in their innocent movements.
***
I remember my teacher at the University. She often went to work early, I greeted her, then she asked about my play and study. One time, I told her that it was my birthday. She took me to the gate of the University and bought me a cute little stuffed dog. The teacher I met that day was Professor, Doctor of Science in Biology Pham Thi Tran Chau.
Later, on the school grounds, I saw many small, warm gestures of love that people gave each other. I vaguely heard words of comfort for friends after exam seasons, after the experiences of both uncertainty and discovery of youth. I saw colleagues helping each other. When we give, not because it is the right thing to do, but because of the kindness that exists, that giving has the power to last through the years.
***
I remember one day, a beautiful car was parked in the yard of the University. At that time, everyone wanted to own a Honda 80, 81. Honda 82 was a dream. The black car, with a design that is still fashionable today, parked in the yard of the University brought hope for a civilized future. My mother took a picture of me next to that car. That day was so much fun, I laughed so hard that my neck shrank when the picture was taken.
In 2020, beautiful, colorful cars are parked in the schoolyard, under the bougainvillea. Sometimes people want to enjoy a virtual corner without cars, only flowers. But there is a real corner, with cars, with flowers, that is worth admiring.
In any case, the Nhân Văn bougainvillea trellis is beautiful regardless, right?
***
I remember one day in 1995, the name “General University” became a part of history. People were getting used to a new, long name “University of Social Sciences and Humanities”. I liked this name, immediately, very much. Many words mean luxury, that was my belief at that time.
Following the birth of that name were… piles of gravel on the schoolyard. My friend and I liked to climb on those piles of gravel, looking for colorful pebbles mixed in. Then the piles of gravel gradually decreased, new buildings were built. The most beautiful was building D with the familiar name: White House. It was white. It was for the Principal's office. The first floor was where the Board of Directors worked, the upper floors were for the departments. My father worked on the third floor. Maybe that was why I liked the White House so much. I was proud to point out to my friends that my father worked there.
Now the building has changed color, I work on the first floor.
***
I remember at the side gate of my school, an old man used to sit there. Some teachers and students at that time gave him some coins. I used to go out and play with him every afternoon. I also grew up a little, only cycling past without running back to play like before. Then one day, I no longer saw the old man. And today, I think about that day.
***
On the campus of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, there are familiar and unfamiliar faces, people we meet again and people from the past, places we pass by every day but witness stories that grow with us over the years.
In the yard of Nhan Van School this season, there is also a magnolia tree with bright white flowers, but the branch leaning against the window of G building has no flowers blooming on it. For those who love the smell of magnolia: a piece of magnolia leaf torn off is also very fragrant and cool. Oh, that's not good, if you're not careful, the low canopy of the magnolia tree will lose all its leaves.
***
I am in a present autumn, looking at a resting corner in the school yard. The milk flower has been fragrant since mid-afternoon.
Source:Dang Hoang Ngan
