Eloquent Words on the Grassland, a Generous Sharing of Writing Secrets — A Record of the Literary Sharing Session between Mainland Writer Hei He and CFSS Students
On 20 September 2026, following the successful conclusion of the opening ceremony of the “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants” programme, our school (Chinese Foundation Secondary School, CFSS) had the great honour of inviting the renowned mainland nature writer Hei He (Gerileqimuge Hei He) to visit our campus. The small lecture theatre was packed to capacity with students passionate about literature. This towering “Mongolian giant”, with his signature long hair and ethnic silver jewellery, captivated the students with his humorous and sincere personal charm, offering them a refreshing literary feast.
A Upbringing Nurtured by the Grassland
At the sharing session, Mr Hei He began by recounting his upbringing to the students. Born in Inner Mongolia, he spent his childhood on the vast grassland. It was this boundless land that endowed him with a bold and unconstrained character, and fostered his lifelong bond with nature and animals from a young age. He admitted that these early experiences were not only his most treasured memories, but also became an inexhaustible source of inspiration for his subsequent literary creations. As seen in the on-site photographs, the screen behind him displayed images of grassland scenery and wildlife, which, complementing his narration, seemed to transport all the teachers and students present to that distant and mysterious land.
A Profound Bond Between Humans and Animals
As a highly influential contemporary Chinese animal novel writer, Mr Hei He shared many true stories of his interactions with animals. He recounted how he coexisted with creatures such as dogs, horses and wolves on the grassland. These animals were not only his playmates, but also his teachers for observing the world and understanding life. He stressed that the key to writing a good animal story lies not in ornate rhetoric, but in a sincere reverence for life and meticulous observation. The vivid animal characters in his works stem precisely from the bits and pieces of his personal experience. This deep affection for nature deeply moved every member of the audience.
Sharing the Secrets of Captivating Readers and Listeners
Beyond the moving stories, Mr Hei He placed his emphasis on the writing and presentation techniques of “how to captivate readers and listeners”. He demonstrated on the spot how to drive the atmosphere of the whole room through “building suspense”, at times posing thought-provoking questions, and at other times pausing to let his words sink in, firmly capturing everyone’s attention. He helped the students understand that a good piece of writing or a good speech must not only have solid content, but also know how to achieve emotional resonance with the audience, moving others through vivid details and a sincere attitude. The students alternated between listening attentively and eagerly raising their hands to ask questions and share their thoughts, resulting in an exceptionally lively interaction. Mr Hei He’s sharing was itself a perfect demonstration of “how to captivate an audience”.
Inter-school Exchange: Connecting Through Books with Enthusiasm
Drawn by his reputation, the attendees of this meeting included not only members of our school’s Young Writers’ Class and students who love literature, but also students from the Young Writers’ Classes of several other schools. Literature enthusiasts from different schools gathered together, immersing themselves in the literary world created by Mr Hei He.
Mr Hei He gifted 25 copies of his works to the students and signed each one as a memento. Furthermore, with his heart tied to the grassland and its creatures, he also brought some small postcards featuring him and animals to give to the students. This thoughtful gift delightfully surprised the students present. This literary passion transcending age and region not only deeply moved every teacher and student present, but also fully demonstrated the students’ profound affection and admiration for this author.
As Mr Hei He said with deep feeling at the session: “Perhaps we will never meet again in the future, but we will remember this joyful afternoon and me.” This unforgettable literary encounter not only broadened the students’ horizons, but also sowed the seeds of a love for nature and literature in their hearts. Our school will continue to use the platform of “Growing with Me, Walking with China Merchants” to guide students to thrive and grow on the path of literature and life.
