Time breaks memory into fragments like scattered pearls. Overlapping memories appear following the traces of time. Understood—vigor and firmness from the boatmen’s work songs; Known—liveliness and delight from the agile and vivacious shadow puppet’s play; Realized—trains of thought like floating kites; Memorized—the amusements of gamboling children on summer nights; Perceived—the teenagers’ innermost thoughts from the * “flower” flown from the cols…

Time breaks the memory into fragments like the scattered pearls. They are the pearls in life…

• “Flower” signifies love songs, the way young girls are called by their lovers in northwest of China.