Shengliver’s Note: The Chinese teenager was inspired by an elderly man who ignored taboo and cared about the environment.

It was the first morning of the lunar Chinese New Year. It was freezing when dawn broke. In Chinese culture, being up early on the first day is supposed to be an auspicious start to a new year. So I arose without delay and decided to go for a walk about the neighbourhood. After pulling my new boots on, I headed out into the crisp air.

It was unusually quiet. The whole neighbourhood seemed to be deserted, without another soul in sight. Fireworks are banned in town, but the ground was littered with all kinds of stuff. The night before, a lot of folk had come out with their kith and kin to see the old year out and to welcome the new year in. All the litter left behind was an eyesore. Walking in such an environment was no good, so I decided to stop and head back home.

I was about to quit the walk when I saw an elderly man sweeping the sidewalk and taking to the bin the wastepaper, plastic and bottles. What a surprise! I went over to him.

He greeted me first, “Hi, lad. Happy New Year!”

After exchanging pleasantries, I asked him tentatively, “Why do you come and do the cleaning the first day?” Even to street cleaners the first day is a day off.

He replied, “Eating festive delicacies makes me feel unwell. Doing some physical work is good exercise. I am killing two birds with one stone, you see. And the litter is so ugly.”

Working on the first day of the Chinese New Year is taboo traditionally, yet this elderly gentleman did not mind it. I admire him for his care over the environment and for his great wisdom.