1 . Rain or shine, Tsering Chopa treks (艰苦跋涉) for long hours to deliver mail. For 18 years, the Tibetan mailman has been an important link between a remote, high-altitude settlement and the rest of the world. At 5,373 meters above sea level, Pumachangthang in Nakarze county of the Tibet autonomous region is China’s highest township(乡镇). The oxygen level is less than 40 percent and the annual average temperature is –7℃ . However, these weren’t the biggest challenges for a postal service. The area of the township is about 1,500 square kilometers, but its population is less than 2,000. The distance from the county town is some 70 km and a single trip to all the six villages can be as long as 160 km. The dogged perseverance required to get the job done under such conditions needs no further explanation.
The busiest time for Tsering Chopa is between July and August each year, when students are waiting for their admission letters from various universities. He recalls once he had to deliver mail to one student whose family had already moved away. He had to quiz neighbors several times to find the new address. It was summer and the usual road to the village was blocked because of rain. He trekked for more than 20 km and grappled with shortness of breath all the way to finally deliver the letter. “I don’t mind the hardships because it is not easy for students from remote villages to get college admission. It was my duty to deliver the mail on time,” he says.
One night in February 2019, a local resident Nyima Tsering’s daughter had fainted and desperately needed help. Knowing that, the mailman arranged for a car right away and sent her to the county hospital. He also gave some cash to the family for the girl’s treatment. Nyima Tsering’s daughter recovered soon, and Tsering Chopa became an idol in the village. “I will never forget his compassion and kindness,” says the grateful father.
In 2019, Tsering Chopa received the China Youth May Fourth Medal. “It is an acknowledgment of what I do and a token of encouragement as well,” he says. “And I want to help more people living in remote areas. I want to bring the world closer to them and take them closer to the world.”
1. Which is the most challenging part of Tsering Chopa’s work?| A．Trekking for long distances. | B．Suffering from cold temperatures. |
| C．Standing extremely bad road conditions. | D．Adapting to the high-altitude environment. |
| A．Optimistic and cautious. | B．Generous and intelligent. |
| C．Courageous and ambitious. | D．Persistent and responsible. |
| A．Tsering Chopa fixed his car for free. |
| B．Tsering Chopa saved his daughter’s life. |
| C．Tsering Chopa delivered his admission letters quickly. |
| D．Tsering Chopa drove him to a hospital for treatment. |
| A．Hardship Makes a Good Postman | B．A Mailman Shows Kindness to Students |
| C．A Postman in Tiebet Bridges Huge Gap | D．Post Service Creates a Convenient Life |
