The sixth grade students at Maple Middle School were excited about their two-day camping trip to Green Valley Farm. Before they left, their teacher, Mr. Lee, told everyone to bring a pen and a notebook to record their observations. Each student would later write a composition about the trip. He also reminded them to pack cotton clothes and a pair of gloves, since farm work could get quite dirty.
When the class arrived, the farmer, Mr. Wang, greeted them warmly and showed them around. A long wooden shelf along the wall of the main building held books about farming and animal care. On the counter nearby, there was a jar filled with coins from many countries. Mr. Wang held up an Australian coin and smiled. "A wise friend from Sydney gave me this," he said. He was clearly a clever man who loved to share what he knew.
Next, everyone went outside to meet the animals. There was a large brown cow near the barn, a group of pigs rolling in the mud, and several rabbits hopping around inside a wooden pen. While walking past the storage room, one student spotted a rat behind some old boxes and dared his friend to catch it. His friend shook his head and laughed. "Don't be silly — that is rubbish," he said. "It will run away the moment you get close."
In the afternoon, dark clouds appeared, and a heavy shower began. Everyone rushed to put up their tents. Amy struggled with her orange tent in the strong wind and discovered that she had left her trousers and a silk scarf outside. Both were soaked. Mr. Lee had planned an outdoor cooking activity, but he decided to cancel it. "It is wise to stay safe and dry," he told the class, and no one disagreed.
After the shower passed, the students helped with the evening chores. While Tom was carrying a heavy bucket across the yard, he slipped on the wet ground and got a wound on his knee. Mr. Wang's daughter rushed out with a first aid kit. "This kit is hers," said Mr. Wang, "and she knows exactly how to use it." She cleaned the cut carefully and wrapped it in a bandage. Tom thanked her and went upstairs to rest before dinner.
That evening, Mr. Wang shared many stories over dinner. He said that a wise farmer does not just work hard — a wise farmer also observes, listens, and learns every day. The students filled their notebooks with ideas. Back at school the following week, they all had so much to say that writing their compositions felt easy and natural. It had been, without a doubt, the most memorable school trip of their lives.