Once upon a time, there was a young farmer who planted an area of rice. After he planted the seedlings(幼苗), every day he went to the field to watch the seedlings grow. He hoped the plants would grow fast because he wanted to have a great harvest(丰收) soon. But one month later, he only saw the young shoots(发芽) break through the earth and after that, they grew a little taller each day, but still, he thought they were growing too slowly and got excited with the young plants. His neighbors knew his trouble and told him the plants would grow according to their growth rules. But the young man didn't think so. Then one morning he came up with a fantastic idea-one by one, he pulled up the young plants by half an inch(英寸). He did the work from half past seven in the morning till eight at night, feeling tired but happy. The next early morning, the young man couldn't wait to check his "great work", but when he saw the plants, he cried his heart out.
