CHAPTER 11

Original: January 7, 2004

Reposted: April 14, 2025

In order to give Lun peace of mind, I, father of Lun, drove to a convenience store after midnight and bought some batteries for emergency use, so that the power-deficient music box could be restarted. After listening to the music, Lun fell asleep peacefully.

For Lun, a dead battery is a big deal.

He has several favorite toys that are all battery-powered, including flashlights of various styles and light-up music boxes. Last year (2003), when he was sixteen years old, he saw a TV-shaped music box suitable for young children in a supermarket. There were a few plastic fish swimming around on the screen, and buttons could be used to select several songs. The screen would light up when playing.

He loved this toy so much that he carried it with him all day and put it next to his bed when he slept.

Later, after midnight on a Sunday in late November, we had both gone to bed for some time and Lun quietly walked into the bedroom to look for something. It turned out that there was something wrong with the precious toy in his hand. There was only music, but no light.

We both got up to find out what happened. It turned out that he had been looking for batteries in the living room. We looked around and confirmed that there were no new batteries in the house. When we told him the truth, he didn't understand and thought we hid the batteries like we collected soda.

We told him that Dad would buy new batteries tomorrow, but he didn't understand and started making a fuss. When I scolded him, he made more noise and went to look for the locker. In order to appease him, I had to empty the locker in front of him, hoping he would give up, but he refused.

It was almost four in the morning. If the quarrel continued, we would have to stay up all night. After thinking, I realized there must be a convenience store selling batteries, so I changed my clothes and drove out. Finally, I bought four large batteries and brought them home at a price 60% higher than usual.

My wife told me that Lun becomes quiet as soon as I leave the house. (Looking back now, he was the one who insisted that I go out and buy batteries for my family. He was very thoughtful.)

After replacing the new batteries, the music box resumed normal operation, he returned to the bedroom with the toy, and we could sleep peacefully until dawn. In fact, what I fear the most is that the toy itself is faulty and has nothing to do with the batteries. Where can I buy a new toy for him then?

The next day after work, I immediately went to the same supermarket and bought another identical toy and four large batteries. When I got home, I hid them in a locked box in case of an emergency. (To this day, the toy has been hidden for more than 21 years.)

Is he spoiled? At a time like this, we can only seek "survival", the survival of life. If we lived in a remote and uninhabited place, we wouldn't have to worry about complaints from the neighbors if he made noise all night long. But the two of us, with just flesh and blood, cannot resist the sleepiness and endless noise in the middle of the night.

After Lun's uncle knew this, he bought him a rechargeable flashlight for Christmas. It would light up if you shook it several times. This uncle also gave us a charger, which was really thoughtful.

Lun is a long-life battery. He consumes little power but is very durable. It is never easy to deal with him. Even if we can recharge ourselves frequently, we can only cope with him.

Don't take Lun too seriously, and don't deduce too much from his behavior, because he means no harm. It's just that his thoughts and understanding are different from ours. As time passes, he is smiling again. What can you do about it?