Tuition fee

The parents of Yu Rongda, a fourth-year student in Suwon Primary School, went out to do business for half a year without receiving any letters. Rongda barely lived on the money his grandmother earned from picking up rags every day. Rongda, whose grandmother was ill and unable to pay three months' tuition, did not go to school. His friend's sister, Guilan, sent rice to Rongda's house. Teacher Tashiro, the head teacher, also visited the home and handed over the tuition fees to his grandmother. But the landlord used the money to pay the rent, so Rongda couldn't go to school again. Grandma asked Rongda if she could go to Pingtaek’s aunt’s house to collect tuition fees. Rongda set off very early in the morning by bullock cart, fetched water at an izakaya, walked 6 miles (about 20 kilometers), and arrived at his aunt's house in Pingtaek safely. The next day, Rongda got the tuition and rice and took the bus back. After saying hello to his grandmother, he ran to school to pay the tuition. Teacher Tashiro showed Rongda the friendship box where his classmates had saved money for him, and said that he should not worry about tuition fees in the future and should study hard. When Rongda came back from school, he received a letter from his father. The letter said that his mother was sick so he could not contact Rongda. He also sent a package containing money, clothes and shoes. During the Obon Festival held by the non-profit band, Rongda's parents returned to their hometown.