Why be the Silence of the Lambs

One word and one story per week”默”

It’s time for me to tell a story a week again, why don’t you move a small stool and listen to the story?! Ha ha.

First of all, let’s talk about the written meaning of the word “默”[Mo] that I will talk about today.

“默”[Mo]- Textual Explanation: From the characters “犬” (dog) and “黑” (black sound), it signifies silence, not speaking. "Shuo Wen":“犬 (dog): temporarily pursue people. Derived from the character 犬 (dog) and the sound 黑 (black). Pronounced like 墨 (mo)." "Yi, Xici Shang": "Sometimes going out, sometimes staying in, sometimes silent, sometimes speaking."

‘Mo’ can also represent secretly or privately. “Lun Yu, Shu Er”:“The Master said,’To silently understand something, to study without tiring, to teach without becoming weary — what is there for me to feel guilty about?’”

'Mo' can also signify seclusion or hardship. In Jin Huan Wen's "Recommendation for Qiao Yuanyan": "Although Yuan Yi resides in Shangluo, known for its beautiful gardens, and Guan Ning finds solace in seclusion by the Liaodong Sea, their excellence is almost unsurpassable."

Recently, Budget Girl wrote me a letter, teasing me by saying, "You write articles and draw pictures every day, but do you not feel guilty for not creating any value?"

I replied to her, quoting what the philosopher Bertrand Russell once said:"Do not feel guilty for sleeping in. Because even if you wake up, you won't create any value. If you can find pleasure in wasting time, then it is not wasted."

She also criticized me for always mocking the politics of the Soviet era and feeling frustrated about remaining silent on the flaws of the current government. After thinking for a moment, I told her the following story:

During the Soviet era, there was a historical incident related to 'mo' in a small town, showcasing the absurd and contradictory aspects of a Kafkaesque society.

In this small town, an official caused serious consequences due to oversleeping. To cover up his mistake, he began to shift blame and search for a scapegoat. Thus, he accused an ordinary farmer, labeling him as a saboteur and counter-revolutionary. The farmer was arrested and forced to stand trial.

At the beginning of the trial, the entire courtroom was occupied by party officials and the military. The town's residents knew deep down that the farmer was merely an innocent scapegoat. However, in this Kafkaesque society, obedience provided temporary safety, while disobedience would immediately incur a price.

The trial proceeded fervently, with the officials performing their roles and portraying the farmer as a terrifying enemy. Everyone in the courtroom knew it was a farce, but they chose to remain silent because they knew that if they stood up against it, they would become victims as well.

In the end, the farmer was found guilty of oversleeping and sentenced to a severe punishment. He was sent to a labor camp, while the residents of the small town continued to maintain their silence. They all knew it was a miscarriage of justice, but they were afraid of becoming the next sacrificial lamb.

As the people in the town immersed themselves in fear and silence, an elderly man stood up. He took to the streets and shouted loudly, "This is an absurd decision! This is injustice!" However, his voice was quickly suppressed by the town's officials and secret police, and he was immediately detained.

People understood the truth, knowing that they would pay a price in the future. Obedience provided temporary safety, while disobedience would result in punishment. People chose to remain silent, afraid of becoming the next scapegoat.

The farmer was sent to a labor camp in an attempt to make him realize the value of time. In the labor camp, he was required to work diligently every day, without any leisure time. However, he discovered an interesting phenomenon.

He noticed a guard in the camp who, during his duty, held a book and seemed to thoroughly enjoy it. Curiously, the farmer asked the guard, "You seem happy. How can you enjoy reading in such an environment? Shouldn't your time be spent guarding us?"

The guard smiled and replied, "You know, comrade, I was also accused of wasting time. But I discovered that as long as I hold this book, no one disturbs me and allows me to do what I enjoy. So every day, I use this book as my tool of guardianship, and a book becomes my refuge during leisure time."

Two days later, the guard was exposed by the farmer for breaking the silence, and both of them were sent to the Gulag islands together.

My grandfather returned from Europe to participate in the Anti-Japanese War for New China, but ultimately died in a cowshed similar to the Gulag islands. My parents and my generation have also experienced hardships, with three generations unable to change our fate. Therefore, for the sake of my family, I will continue to sleep in, write in my diary, and draw to record fragments of life in silence.