This is a selection of the best eight short stories written by the well-known Chinese writer Ma Feng between 1949 and 1959. They reflect the life and struggles in China's countryside after the coming of agricultural co-operation and portray the new things and personalities which have appeared on the agricultural front. At the same time these stories reveal the struggle over the two roads, socialism and capitalism, during the socialist transformation of China's agriculture.
It is characteristic of the author to write his short stories in a light, optimistic and humorous vein. He is adept at showing the heroism and high spirits, determination and inspiration of the Chinese people during the big leap forward through the medium of one or two well-drawn characters.
In this selection of short stories, the author focuses mainly on the progressive personalities of the countryside such as Uncle Chao who works so enthusiastically; and Han Mei-mei, the elementary school graduate who resolutely responds to the call of the Party and chooses farming as her career.