CCTV series of feature stories on the nation's Unsung Heroes continues. Today we hear a story of self-sacrifice involving Zhang Lili, a 29-year-old teacher from No.19 middle school in Jiamusi City in north-east China's Heilongjiang province.

Zhang Lili, a 29-year-old teacher from No.19 middle school in Jiamusi City in north-east China's Heilongjiang province.

A self-organized class is held every night at this middle school. But one person is missing. Even without their teacher present, students voluntarily come to the classroom with a common purpose.

"We're grateful, and will continue to wait until she returns someday."

They're waiting for Zhang Lili, who they last saw 9 months ago.

Last May, a school bus suddenly lost control and dashed toward students who were waiting at the school's gate. Zhang Lili pushed the students to safety and was run over in the process. She lost two legs.

The heroic teacher was also very generous. She secretly used to put money in the desk of a poor student to support his studies. The student's mother waited outside the emergency room for hours, to express how grateful she felt towards Zhang. The secret had been kept for 3 years.

In a coma for 4 days, Zhang was later sent to the biggest hospital in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province for intensive care. Locals began gathering outside the hospital to wish Zhang a speedy recovery.

"It was a huge sacrifice, we wish her good luck."

Fleets of taxis and private cars showed their support too. Two weeks after Zhang came out of her coma, she wrote a letter to her students, wishing them good luck on their entrance exams for high school. Her letter, 200 words long took three days to write.

She said, the greatest gift she can give to her students is optimism and a love for life.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)