Want China Times, Yang
Han-sheng and Staff Reporter 2013-03-09
Wang Chin-tsai in front of the cyclist rest area he built. (Photo/Yang Han-sheng) |
An old
farmer in eastern Taiwan has made headlines for offering free fruit to passing
cyclists, reports our Chinese-language sister paper China Times.
The fruit
orchard belonging to 62-year-old Hualien resident Wang Chin-tsai was severely
damaged three years ago during a typhoon, rendering the fruits unmarketable to
customers because of their unappealing appearance. Rather than let the fruit go
to waste, Wang built a shack on the side of the local bicycle track as a rest
stop for cyclists who would like to take a break and enjoy some fruit. Wang
does not charge for the fruit but accepts donations from those who appreciate
the gesture.
Wang spent
more than a month building the shack on the side of the 193 county highway with
wood from a tree near his orchard in Fenglin. He admits it was not an easy task
because he had no assistance.
None of the
fruit at the shack used pesticides. Banana is provided all year round, while
orange is available in spring and grapefruit in autumn. Besides fruit, Wang
also spends NT$1,000 (US$33.70) a month on mineral water, also provided to the
riders free of charge.
"I
only want to share. It has now become a habit. So I come back every week to see
if everything is okay," Wang said.
"All
the fruits and mineral water are for free [to have there], but it costs NT$10
(US$0.37) for take away. There is an old cash drawer in the shack and visitors
are free to pay and take their change. Although these fruits do not look
appealing from their appearance, they are still good on the inside. Even birds
fly in here to taste them," Wang said.
The cash
drawer is usually filled with coins of all denominations as well as banknotes.
People who
have tasted Wang's fruit sometimes leave him a kind message on the walls, one
of the most touching is "You taught me what sharing actually is."
References:
Wang Chin-tsai 王金財
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