Fiction: Group 2
Grandpa’s Old Diary
Po Leung Kuk Choi Kai Yau School (Primary), Lam, Rachel - 11, Fiction: Group 2
oday was Tom’s grandpa’s funeral. Although Tom was very sad about his grandpa passing away, he
still managed to go to the funeral. After the ceremony, Tom went back to grandpa’s house to pick
up his remaining stuff. Tom looked through the albums, and the pictures of him and grandpa.
Suddenly, an old diary fell on to the ground. Tom picked it up, and started to flip through the pages.
Although the diary was tattered and some pages were missing, Tom could still picture his grandpa’s life in
the remaining diary entries.
April 19, 1973
The storm last month was disastrous. All the farmlands were destroyed. It took away the lives of my
parents. There is nothing left in my hometown. That’s why I left and came to Guangdong, hoping to have a
better life. It took me a few days to sail on the boat. Guangdong is mostly a rural area, which made me think
of my homeland. I hope to find a shelter and maybe, also land for me to continue farming as I did in the
past. I hope thing will go well and I will regain my normal life again.
July 23, 1985
There is good news! I got a new job today, working at the port as a porter. Since the amount of foreign
trade increased a lot in Guangdong, the demand for workers at the port also increased. Since I changed from
farming to a porter, I hope to earn more in the future and have a better life. Although being a porter
requires more strength and is a tough job, I earn more with this than farming.
Guangdong has changed a lot in these few years. It is now one of the Special Economic zones and
is undergoing rapid economic development. It’s no longer the rural area of when I arrived. The whole area
has more foreign trade and businesses developing here. I think this continuing development will help
Guangdong turn into a commercial city.
Today, my friend who also works at the port told me that one of the British companies, ABC
Company, will open a manufacturing factory here next month. I heard that the wage is even higher than
working as a porter. Maybe I can try my luck.
November 12
th
1988
This is the third year I have worked in ABC Company. Next week, I am heading to Shenzhen. My
company just opened a new factory there and they asked me to go there and monitor the work of the new
workers. The economic development in the Pearl River region is fast. Recently, the development is focused
in Shenzhen. I hope I can find more opportunities when I get there.
May 28
th
1993
This year is a busy year. My first manufacturing company opened this year. The company focuses on the
producing and exporting of high technology equipment such as computer hardware. I have made a lot more
money and my life is getting better. I chose to start this manufacturing business in the Pearl River region
because of the continuing economic development, which is attracting lots of people to move here.
Therefore, it is easier to hire cheap workers here. The Pearl River Delta’s main advantage is its location. It is
located near to the sea, which makes transportation more convenient. I think my decision of opening a
factory here is absolutely correct.
Even my children went to Hong Kong for work. Hong Kong is also an important part of the Pearl
River region. Hong Kong is known as a financial and service area and may give my children more chances
to be successful. I hope my children can learn more and gain more knowledge there.
December 5
th
2010
I am blessed that I have a happy family and my decision of coming to Guangdong has changed my life. I am
an old man now and I hope I can pass this diary to my next generation, letting them know my story and the
past.
Tom closed the diary. He missed his grandfather, but he was happy to now know his story. He felt a great
sense of pride to have had such an amazing grandfather and learning about the Pearl River Delta.
T
