鴕鳥小騎士 節(jié)選

　　《中國兒童文學走向世界精品書系：鴕鳥小騎士（英文版）》：　　Significantly, the deputy county head was in charge of the protection of forestry and wildlife. When the public discussed this matter, some said the black muntjak came to petition and some said it came to complain of the disastrous ecological imbalance.　　It was reported that one county head had instructed the protection station to investigate the ecological situation as soon as possible and would hold a meeting to work out countermeasures.　　The wounded black muntjak was taken to the wildlife rescue center after treatment for special protection. Engineer Wang said it had only suffered a flesh wound and would recover in one or two weeks.　　Teacher Li knew I had once participated in the investigation of black muntjaks. In May the previous year, we planned to enter the South Mountain on the Jiangxi border to investigate ancient fir communities and the black muntjak population. A staff member of the county Wildlife Protection Station told us: "After the mountain was sealed, there have been more five-step dragons, kraits and cobras in recent years. Your article 'Snake Fun' described that development so you must know the danger of those guys. Who would dare to go in the mountain in this season with lush vegetation and no trace of a path?"　　I still did not give up, being ready to go with Teacher Li alone. Though Li was timid sometimes, she had always followed me to trek in the wild. As long as I made a decision, she would finally accept and go anywhere. However, we were finally persuaded not to venture into the area.　　The brave, resourceful black muntjak became our topic of conversation that night and we decided to participate in the investigation. This was mainly because it reminded me of my experience with black muntjaks more than 20 years earlier.　　　　Finding a Snake with Feet　　That fall, the investigation team entered the west fringes of the YellowMountain, with a view to clearing up the mystery of "Pegasus" legend among local people and gaining an understanding of the autumn ecological status of spotted deer, leiothrix and serow, and so on. I was only a supernumerary. Restricted by my editorial work, I often couldn't go with them.　　This time, I also set off two days later than the others. Taking a coach and then walking along the mountain trails for tens of li, I finally got to the camp of the investigation team just as night came. Unexpectedly, the camp was empty. At that time, the conditions were poor - the so-called camp referred to two vacant rooms of a family home in the mountain village we had borrowed. The landlord, with a lantern, led me into the room. There was a letter left by the team leader for me.　　The letter was brief, telling me that they couldn't wait for me because the situation had changed and the time was very limited. They had been divided into several groups and begun their investigations, agreeing to meet here seven days later. Because ofinsufficient manpower, it was hoped I would go to the Chongyang Mountain Ridge to look for a hunter called Xiao Zhang to get to know the distribution and ecological status of black muntjaks in this area. If I could capture one alive, I would indeed have rendered outstanding service. If there were too many difficulties, I could select one of the groups and try to catch up with them. Then, the letter enumerated the route and schedule of each group.　　The seasonal factor should be taken into consideration when conducting wildlife investigations. The life rhythm of wild animals strictly conforms to the operation of nature.　　……