"I would use my own life to exchange for mom's survival."

With the medicine donated by his teachers and classmates, Ge Jun from the South China Normal University in Guangzhou was heading for his hometown Beichuan of Sichuan, where his mother Song Rong was missing after the earthquake. The last time the boy heard Song's voice was on the Mothers' Day. In his mobile phone there was a photo: the happy mother smiled clutching his two cousins.

"Today is my 20th birthday. I would never forget this day."

Jiao Zhengjiao was buried in the debris of a residential building in Dujiangyan. She asked Ye Jianqing, vice director of the emergency rescue department of Zhejiang Seismological Bureau to wipe off the dust on her face this Tuesday to celebrate her 20th birthday. The girl was rescued one day later, 54 hours after the earthquake.

"I am not afraid. Please save others first."

In the ruins of Qushan primary school in Beichuan, rescuer Zhu Yunneng found a boy covered with blood lying on several bodies. When Zhu stretched out his hand, the boy refused him, until hours later when about ten other kids were dug out.

"I will not leave."

Under a cement plate, 13-year-old Xiang Xiaolian from the Xuankou Middle School of Chongzhou city neighboring Wenchuan was in a coma after the quake until his classmate Ma Jian woke her up. "Please be by my side until I die. Don't leave," cried the girl helplessly. Ma nodded, began digging the plate with his own hands. Four hours later, Xiang was freed, while Ma's hands were badly hurt.

"You have promised. You can't break your word."

Xiao Xue and Xiao Ya were both buried when the quake toppled their school, the Xiang'e Middle School in Dujiangyan. In darkness, the girls held hands, encouraging each other and promising never to give up. Five hours later, the 15-year-old Xiao Xue was rescued, whereas Xiao Ya has been dead for quite a while.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)