漂亮的小珠子

The friend is Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong is a girl.

She's at home.

Xiao Ming walks into the house.

Xiao Hong is sitting at a table.

What's on the table?

There are lots of beads on the table.

The beads are small.

And very pretty.

There's red, yellow, blue, green.

There's pink, white, black.

So many colors.

Xiao Ming says: wow!

What is this?

Xiao Hong says: these are beads.

Xiao Ming says: a lot.

Xiao Hong says: yes.

I'm making something.

Xiao Ming says: what?

Xiao Hong says: look.

Xiao Hong picks up a board.

The board has lots of small holes.

Xiao Hong puts one bead into one hole.

She puts a red bead into one hole.

Then a yellow bead into another hole.

Then a blue bead.

Then a green one.

She places them one by one.

Slowly placing them.

There are more and more beads.

The board gets prettier and prettier.

Xiao Ming says: is this a picture?

Xiao Hong says: yes.

It's a picture made with beads.

Look.

After it's done,

it'll be a little cat.

It could also be a rabbit.

It could also be a flower.

Anything is fine.

Xiao Ming says: that's great.

So once it's done, what next?

Xiao Hong says: after it's done,

you use a tool.

Xiao Hong says: it's called an iron.

The iron is hot.

You put the iron on top of the beads.

The beads will become soft.

Then, the beads will stick together.

Becoming one solid piece.

It won't fall apart.

Xiao Ming says: oh.

Xiao Hong says: then,

you can take it with you.

You can put it on your backpack.

You can put it on your desk.

You can give it to a friend.

Xiao Ming says: that's really nice.

How long have you been making it?

Xiao Hong says: one hour now.

And about another hour to go.

Xiao Ming says: that long?

Xiao Hong says: yes.

But that's okay.

I love making it.

While I'm making it,

I'm not thinking about anything.

Just placing beads.

One, then another.

My heart is very quiet.

Xiao Ming says: oh.

I get it.

Is it kind of like watching stars before sleep?

Xiao Hong says: yes.

That's exactly the feeling.

After finishing, the heart is very comfortable.

Xiao Ming says: can you teach me?

Xiao Hong says: sure.

Come here.

Xiao Ming sits down.

Xiao Hong gives him a board.

Xiao Hong says: what do you want to make?

Xiao Ming says: I want to make a little dog.

Xiao Hong says: okay.

First put black.

Make the eyes.

Xiao Ming places them.

Xiao Hong says: now put white.

Make the face.

Xiao Ming places those too.

The two of them work slowly.

They place beads together.

They don't talk.

But both are happy.

Time goes by quickly.

Xiao Ming says: wow, has it been an hour already?

Xiao Hong says: yes.

Now we'll iron together.

The two of them finish together.

They've made a little dog.

And a little cat.

Both are cute.

Xiao Ming says: great.

I want to make another.

Xiao Hong laughs.

She says: you're hooked too.

Now let's talk about the real story.

These beads are called pindou.

Pindou — putting beads together.

In the past year,

pindou has become extremely popular in China.

Many young people are doing it.

Not only children.

But also college students.

And office workers.

They go to stores.

The stores have many beads.

They have tables, boards, and irons.

They sit there and slowly make things.

Some people make for an hour.

Some make all day.

Either is fine.

One session is about eighty or ninety yuan.

Not too expensive.

Why do so many people love it?

There are a few reasons.

First, the beads are pretty.

Many colors.

Just looking at them makes you happy.

Second, while you're making, your heart is quiet.

You don't have to think about work.

Or about anything else.

Just placing beads, one, then another.

Very slow, very comfortable.

Third, after finishing you have something.

A real thing.

You can take photos.

You can also give it to a friend.

Or put it at home.

So young people all love it.

In the past year,

they've posted many photos on Xiaohongshu.

Over thirty billion views in total.

That's a lot.

Some shops

sold over twenty thousand sets in one year.

Also a lot.

So today Xiao Ming learned something new.

He learned about pindou.

He's hooked too now.

He wants to come back next week.

He wants to make another.

Xiao Hong says: okay.

We'll do it together.

Both are happy.

That's the story for today.

Pindou is a small thing.

But it can make a person happy.

And quiet.

And let friends do something together.

And that's enough.