Canaries and warblers, greenhouses and freedom

 　　Since I was old enough to understand, I have always been well protected by my parents.

　　-- Prologue

　　For various reasons, I cannot be as carefree as my friends. Cooking, karaoke, drinking, barbecue, instant noodles, cycling, smoking, etc.—anything a little crazy or dangerous is taboo for me. Touching these things would have dire consequences. Moreover, among my friends, I'm the only one who can't play ping-pong.

　　Therefore, I am mostly quiet and gentle in front of them, and my limbs aren't as developed as theirs; they often teased me when I was little.

　　Year after year has passed, and I've grown older. I've experienced certain things and seen through certain people. Sometimes I hide my true self, and few people can see my cuteness.

　　In the whole family, the people who love me most are naturally my dear parents. I am deeply grateful and fortunate to have such loving parents. However, sometimes I really feel that my parents' overprotectiveness makes me feel like a frog in a well, unable to understand the outside world.

　　Several years ago, since I was diagnosed with this illness (the old ailment mentioned below), my parents have taken even better care of me. My mother once even mentioned helping me find a good partner. I was against it! I said I wanted to rely on myself. She said that having someone to rely on meant I wouldn't have to work so hard. I continued to argue, saying I'd rather work hard. I honestly forgot what she said next, but she didn't agree with me.

　　I remember last year, because my old illness flared up again, I had to be expelled from school and go home to recover. Since returning home, I feel like I'm isolated from the world, confined to this small place, while most of my friends, relatives, and classmates are out there striving and learning, trying to keep up with the times. Every time I bring up the idea of ​​going out to find a job with my mother, she flatly refuses, saying, "No, your health isn't good enough yet, we'll talk about it later!" At that time, I thought, if this is how my life is going to be, am I going to rely on others for the rest of my life? The attending physician who treated me said, "You're still young, you have time to strive, and this illness isn't a big deal. Does your mother really want you to get married right away?" Hearing this, I was speechless, unable to utter a word, and almost afraid to look the physician in the eye. I was incredibly conflicted. But in the end, I lied to him, "No!" Actually, I didn't think it was a big deal either.

　　People who are always protected are often simple-minded because they don't understand the treacherous nature of the outside world. Not everyone in the world is kind; we must understand this. Of course, environment can influence a person. Good people can become bad because of greed, and bad people can become good through reform.

　　For me, I prefer a life where I can rely on myself to live well every day. I yearn for a life where I can travel wherever I want with money I earn through my own efforts. Therefore, I prefer the oriole to the canary.

　　Although the canary can be well-fed and clothed, it lacks freedom, and more importantly, it must depend on its owner. That magnificent home could also be considered a cage.

　　While the oriole may not have a lavish nest like the canary, it can have its own thoughts and dreams; it is free and carefree.

　　Resilient people are often forged through repeated setbacks and blows. In life, there can't always be someone to shield you from the storms; sometimes, you have to face difficulties alone. For example, when I fell into the pond as a child and had to fight for my life; for example, when I had to endure surgery without anesthesia; for example, when I had to wake up from anesthesia after surgery and couldn't sleep; for example, when I had to endure being expelled from school.

　　Staying in a greenhouse for too long makes one increasingly lazy; staying at home for too long makes one increasingly decadent (like me now).

　　Honestly, right now, I want to be a free oriole, flying wherever I want. As long as I have the ability, anywhere can be a home.

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