As a journalist, I tend to pay more attention to reports about journalists in Sichuan on the earthquake, and I came across this very touching story.

On the fourth day after the earthquake, Wang Gang, the forty-two-year-old Deputy Director General of the Sichuan Wolong Forestry Public Security Bureau, was told to caution people about the danger when helicopters landed in the Wolong Natural Reserve to unload relief supplies. Wang suddenly saw a female journalist about to be struck by the helicopter's propeller blades, and in the nick of the time he rushed forward to save the journalist's life, only to be hit by the rear of the helicopter himself and was killed.

Humanity shines when you are willing to sacrifice your valuable life so that some other totally unrelated person may survive. Perhaps it is only at times like this that heroes come about.

After he was killed, people found out that Wang Gang was carrying some 60 prayer notes, and on them were almost 390 telephone numbers of family members of people that were trapped in Wolong, who had all asked Wang to help them ring up their families to report they were safe and well. Unfortunately Wang was unable to complete this task.

The journalist that Wang saved did not forget his deed, and the moment she returned to Chengdu she and two other university volunteers opened the 60 prayer notes and started calling up each number to complete Wang's last mission. One mother who received her son's message said that Wang's work was so great that, when the rescue work was completed, she would ask her son to pay Wang's parents a visit.

Natural disasters might be unforgiving yet there is love among us – and Wang's story will be passed on through these 390 or so telephone numbers. His spirit might not encourage any more sacrifice, but this story could at least encourage people to reflect on the meaning of life.

By 心米也樂

*Translation from Chinese article.