In 2000, this Chinese soldier, who had lost both legs, started tree planting. Throughout the years, he cultivated 17,000 trees, converting a mountain into a forest.
Here are his accomplishments throughout 24 years. As a youngster, my grandpa often recounted tales of heroes—not those from literature, but genuine individuals who do remarkable deeds without anticipating any reward.
One narrative that really impacted me is that of Ma Sanxiao, a 70-year-old man with remarkable resolve. Ma Sanxiao, hailing from Maiyu, a town in China, started his extraordinary voyage in 2000. Following the loss of his legs, he resolved to cultivate trees to sustain his family.
What begun as a need evolved into his life’s goal. The area next to the Taihang Mountains was experiencing extensive deforestation, jeopardising its transformation into a desert. However, Ma persevered. Over many years, he planted 17,000 trees, contributing to the restoration of the region’s ecology and averting an environmental catastrophe. Each morning around 5 a.m., he enters his tuk-tuk, travels to the impacted regions, removes his prosthesis, and crawls to plant trees. He has persevered through several injuries despite the arduous nature of the task.
In 2008, the government acknowledged his contributions and granted financial support. Nonetheless, for Ma, financial gain is not the primary concern. He wants to restore to society what has been lost and feels secure amid the trees he has planted, as if they are an extension of himself.
