When NASA sent the Pioneer 10 space probe to explore the solar system in 1972, they placed on board a metal plate, engraved with various pictures and signs. On one part of the plate was a diagram of a hydrogen atom, while on another was a diagram of the relative sizes of the planets in our solar system, indicating the planet from which Pioneer 10 came. The largest picture on the plate was a line drawing of a naked man and a naked woman, with the man's right hand raised in greeting.

The puzzle of representation.

    

I want to walk down these paths with you. No matter what season it is, I want you to be by my side, holding my hand, and walk in the falling blossoms or autumn leaves. When we are tired, we can sit on the grass, watching the seasons go by, or you can carry me up and walk some distances before we find another place that we want to go.

When I was in primary school, I remembered there was once a teacher indirectly criticised me for something which I cannot remember. Although she was a very strict and stern teacher, and scolded people very often, that was a very rare thing, which is why to date some of my friends and I, or maybe the teacher herself still remembers it today.

She was teaching some usual lessons when she suddenly started a story about a kite, and hence I wasn't paying much attention to it though it was a very random move. She implicitly referred me to the kite, saying that I am flying too high and did not realise the string was cut off. I used to think of that as an insult, as she was just trying to say I am not obediently under control anymore.

However, today I have a new revelation. When you are flying a kite, you want it to fly higher and hence hold onto the string tight. Sometimes a pull, a slack, a tug can make it soar up higher into the sky, for a strict control might not yield the best result. Many understand this, and give an occasion release, but always hold back to make sure it is within control. From the philosophy of the Buddha, it is said that letting go is hard, because you see how pretty the thing you are holding is, and obviously by letting go you are losing it - same here. But little did one know, the only way for the kite to soar its greatest height is to cut off the string holding it, so that it will be able to fly in the wind.

Maple shall cut the string off.