Grain Buds
In an isolated village with limited resources, a little girl XiaoMan and a boy Kun were friends. When a drought happened and brought starvation and destruction, she found he was secretly a little weak deity who possibly had the power to save her family. As things went worse, their friendship faced challenges. All these things forced XiaoMan to choose between friendship, survival, and unthinkable sacrifice.
A 12-year-old naive and kind girl in a farming class family. She wants a big harvest to share with her family in the new year, but is faced with the harsh reality of drought and starvation.She is forced to grow up rapidly and realizes that she can only rely on herself, which causes a rift in her friendship with Kun.
Kun is a weak deity in the temple and no one knows how long he has existed. He has always been alone until XiaoMan finds him and becomes his only friend. Facing the drought, his ability is limited and he’s unable to save XiaoMan and her family which is a gap and conflict between him and XiaoMan.
From the perspective of agricultural development in China, history is a long struggle between people, natural disasters, and man-made crises. In 1941-1942, a severe drought hit Henan, triggering a devastating famine. Countless farmers were forced to abandon their homes and embark on desperate journeys for survival.
Therefore, a deep respect for food has been etched into the Chinese collective memory.
Ironically, in today’s social media age, some creators chase views by pouring food into bathtubs or sinks purely for shock value. Some even begin their videos by showing people who lack these basic resources, heightening the contrast. This exploitation of human suffering for spectacle — and the deliberate waste used to magnify that disparity — is something I find deeply disgraceful.
Grain Buds is inspired by my grandmother’s experiences. When she was young, she lived through times of famine and hunger–experiences that have left a lasting mark on her. She never wastes any food; even keeps leftovers that might be spoiled. That;s why I wanted to turn this piece of family history into a story–To remember the hardships and appreciate the sweetness of the present. Never take anything you have for granted.
