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       Contents of ESL                         By Lisa Lee                            

      It was a beautiful day, and Kui Hua helped her mother-in-low to take a walk outside. The old woman stood silently in front of the flower bed.
       A boy was running toward them and yelling, "Auntie Ming, your letter!"
       The two women looked at each other happily. Kui Hua took the letter and grinned. "Good boy. Thanks." She read the letter fast. "Mama, Tin Ming has safely arrived in San Francisco." The old woman closed her eyes and smiled. "That's fine. Buddha blesses him."
      At night, Kui Hua reread the letter slowly. During the two months' voyage, Tin Ming got a terrible sea-sickness. But when he saw the splendid Golden Gate Bridge and the beautiful city sights, he forgot all suffering. Then he described some interesting things, such as the hot water pouring out of the pipe in the kitchen, also into the washbasin and bathtub, so he didn't need to boil hot water in a pot; the flushing water toilet; the little box that could let you listen to somebody talking or to wonderful music; the big box that you stood inside, which could lift you up to the higher floors, etc.
      Tin Ming said he felt deaf and mute because he absolutely did not know English. In addition, his father's little store was not located in Chinatown. He was very anxious about how to adapt to the new language. Uncle Liu Ta recommended him to a church to learn English before Liu Ta moved to Texas with his boss.
      The worst news was that his father had a tumor in his stomach and might only live for about three months. Tin Ming begged Kui Hua to conceal this bad news from his mother.
      At the end of the letter, Tin Ming asked about the sunflowers.
      Reading Tin Ming's letter, Kui Hua yearned for her boyish husband and deeply worried about his difficult situation. She wrote back to Tin Ming with warn concern and encouragement. She put two pieces of dried sunflower petals with the letter.
      Month by month, Tin Ming's mother was pulled down by her inner grief and extreme anxiety. Kui Hua felt so helpless when death was approaching near the old woman.
      One rainy day, Tin Ming's mother demanded to wear her best clothes and to sit on the big chair in the hall. She looked around the hall. It was so familiar; it made her recall the joyful scenes of her own and Tin Ming's weddings, but now the hall was so empty. Suddenly, she felt pain in her heart. Kui Hua held her immediately. The old woman looked at her beloved daughter-in-low, and said sadly, "My dear child, thanks for taking care of me so well. You gave me great happiness. But, I'm sorry; I can't be with you anymore." Then she stretched out her arms and cried, "Ming's Pa, give me back my son!" This was her first complaint about her husband, and also her last words to him.
      "Mama!" Kui Hua's despairing crying resounded in the hall.
      Two days later, Meili came to help and comfort Kui Hua. She asked Kui Hua to stay with her in Canton. But Kui Hua answered solemnly, "No, thank you. I'm a member of Tin Ming's family. If I died, I'll be the ghost of his family too."
     Meili sighed. "You are a most faithful wife. You know, the Japanese have attacked and occupied many provinces in northern China. They'll attack the south soon. You have to be careful."
      Kui Hua hugged Meili and nodded.

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