Every year, when spring nears its end, the bamboo shoots from Pot-breaking Pond are always sent here in this way: A small boat glides over, and the broker picks the largest shoot, tosses it onto the water, and calls out to the gardener in the garden,“Fetch the shoot!” Then he rows away with a drumbeat of the oar. The gardener takes a small boat to retrieve it. The shoot is shaped like ivory, white as snow, tender as lotus roots, and sweet as cane frost. When boiled and eaten, its flavor is beyond words—one can only feel a sense of humility at being so fortunate to taste it.

 

    Zhang Dai, who was born into a family of hereditary officials, described in his work Tianjing Garden how he tasted the Pot-breaking Pond bamboo shoots sent by peddlers when spring was drawing to a close. In Zhang Zongzi’s writing, the beauty of spring bamboo shoots lies in their elegance and freedom from vulgarity.

 
    Now that the gentle breeze has drifted into the shade of trees, the spring bamboo shoots at this moment are round in shape, pure white in color, crisp and tender in texture, and sweet in taste. Just a small bite is enough to make the national treasure, giant pandas, enraptured.
 

 

 

 

 

Run Ze
 

    The spring light tints the spring bamboo shoots in the giant panda's moist paws into the color of autumn wheat ears—warm yellow, bright, and glowing with a faint golden luster. As the seasons change, spring and autumn meet at this very moment. 

 

 

 

 

Jin Dou
 

    After peeling off the thin bamboo shoot shells, the giant panda Jin dou Dou takes a gentle bite of the tender shoot. In an instant, the cool, refreshing juice bursts between its  lips and teeth, while the slightly crisp texture of the shoot's skin delights Jin dou's Dou's taste buds and adorns its her  years. 

 

 

 

 

 Xing Yun and Lun Wu
 

    Spring bamboo shoots are rich in dietary fiber, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. When giant pandas Xing yun Yun and Lun wen Wen feed on them, they promptly replenish their daily nutritional needs. And through sharing bamboo shoots meal after meal, their friendship has grown as solid and mellow as spring shoots breaking through the soil—steadfast and deepening with time.

 

 

 

 

 

 Ke Nan and Ke Da
 

    ‘One must tend the young shoots to see them grow into bamboo; let guests chide if I fail to greet them when they arrive.’ The tender spring bamboo shoots will eventually grow into tall, straight bamboo in the fertile soil. Similarly, amid love and expectation, the giant panda Ke Nan will ultimately learn from its  - mother Ke Da and thrive vigorously.