Nanfang Dushi Paper, by Yan Yan

对应中文版原文

Gong Jin is a young obstetrician doctor working for Donghua Hospital, an affiliate of Zhongshan University. When the devastating earthquake struck Sichuan, he happened to be in Chengdu, the capital, on a family visit. Gong Jin became a volunteer rescuer in Dujiangyan city. For the past three days he was able to help over 200 people injured in the earthquake. When a reporter interviewed him, he was in shock from one particular experience.

In the afternoon of May 13th, he and a dozen rescuers were digging hard for survivors in a collapsed residential building. What he saw next was something he would never forget: A young mother was laying on her side in the rubble, with an infant girl about 3-4 months old in her arms. The mother had already died, with her head lowered and her shirt rolled up. The baby was still suckling at her breast. The baby's healthy face was such a shocking contrast to her mother's dust-covered lifeless face.

"When we carefully lifted the baby away, she cried, protesting loudly, the moment her lips left the mother's nipple." Gong Jin said. All the rescuers broke into tears upon watching this scene.

"I cannot imagine that a mother who had died was still nursing her baby. You can tell from her curved body that she was trying to protect her baby. Maybe she put her nipple into the baby's mouth right before she passed away." Gong Jin said, crying. One young doctor in his 30s, he has seen countless young mothers suckling their baby. Yet at this moment, a common scene that radiated happiness and love has reduced him to uncontrollable sorrow.

On May 16th, Gong Jin took part in the second rescue medical team sent to Mian Yang, using his skills as a doctor to save more lives and voicing out his encouragements to the victims.

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The above story is translated by some volunteers at         

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