In a small town in Russia, there was a very special clock shop. The shop was filled with all kinds of clocks, each seeming to tell stories from the past. However, at the very back of the store, there was an old and mysterious clock. This clock looked like it had been around for quite some time. Its case was made of wood, with exquisite carvings on it. The carved patterns were traditional Russian motifs, as if narrating ancient Russian legends.
The most magical thing about this clock was that it could talk. But it didn't just talk randomly. Only at every hour on the hour would it softly utter some words about time. For example, when the hands pointed to one o'clock, it would say, "It's one o'clock. A new hour has begun, just like a new hope is sprouting."
One day, a little girl named Xiaoli followed her grandfather to this clock shop. Xiaoli was full of curiosity about everything in the shop. Her eyes were bright as she wandered among the various clocks. When she walked up to the mysterious talking clock, she was deeply attracted.
Xiaoli moved closer to the clock and stared at it without blinking. Just then, it was two o'clock, and the clock gently said, "It's two o'clock. Time is like flowing water, and a part of it has slipped away without notice." Xiaoli opened her mouth in surprise. She couldn't believe her ears. She looked up at her grandfather, and her grandfather said to her with a smile, "This clock is magical."
Xiaoli became even more curious and started to have a conversation with the clock. She asked, "Why can you talk?" The clock replied, "I have existed for a very long time. I have witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets, and people coming and going. I want to share my insights about time with everyone who is willing to listen."
Xiaoli nodded as if she understood a little while listening to the clock's words. She asked again, "Then what exactly is time?" The clock said slowly, "Time is the fairest thing in the world. No matter who it is, there are only 24 hours in a day. Some people cherish it and will gain a lot; some people waste it and will lose a great deal."
Xiaoli thought about the times when she played and sometimes forgot about time, and she couldn't help blushing a little. She secretly made up her mind to cherish time from then on.
Xiaoli and her grandfather were about to leave the clock shop. Before leaving, Xiaoli looked back at the talking clock one more time. The clock seemed to be looking at her too, as if saying to her, "Remember our conversation." Xiaoli waved at the clock and then followed her grandfather out of the clock shop.
Since then, Xiaoli has arranged her time reasonably every day. She will finish her homework within the allotted time and then go play. She will also remind her friends around her to cherish time, just as the talking clock told her.
