Models and Moralities: The Parable of the Two "Heroic Little Sisters of the Grassland"

Abstract

There is a supposedly true story, set in Inner Mongolia, that is famous throughout China. One day in the middle of the harsh winter of 1964, Longmei and Yurong, two Mongolian sisters aged eleven and nine, were entrusted by their father to look after one of the collective's flocks of sheep and keep them close to home while he went out to help his neighbours. The two girls, ignoring their father's instructions, drove their herd further away to a better pasture. The weather in February on the grasslands is subject to sudden change. A blizzard swept in before they could round up their flock and head home. The frightened sheep ran with the roaring wind. Fearing that their sheep would be lost in the blizzard, the two sisters followed the sheep. The temperature dropped to 37 centigrade degrees below zero, but the two sisters ran after their sheep in the blizzard, taking care that they not be scattered. They encountered many difficulties. Yurong, the younger sister, lost one of her boots while running. They drove off eagles hovering above. They also protected the flock against a Mongol class-enemy pastoral-lord who attempted to steal the sheep. Having run after the flock for a whole day and a night, covering 35 kilometres in the blizzard, they finally