[Explanation] In the classroom of Erjie Elementary School in Renqiu City, Hebei Province, 51-year-old Zhao Menghui was holding yellow clay in his hand and was demonstrating clay modeling for the students. The students surrounded Zhao Menghui and stared intently at the movements of his hands.

Pushing gently and twisting slowly, rubbing up and pressing down, an animal clay sculpture took shape in Zhao Menghui's hands.

Zhao Menghui is a security guard. Three years ago, he came to work at the Second Street Primary School in Renqiu City. The school learned that he was good at clay sculpture and invited him to teach the children.

　　[Same period] Zhao Menghui, security guard of Erjie Primary School, Renqiu City, Hebei Province

　　We hold a (clay sculpting) class every Thursday. The class lasts about two hours. There are about 40 children. Watching the children have a lot of fun, I am also working hard.

　　[Explanation] According to Zhao Menghui, the process of making clay sculptures is very complicated. The yellow mud used for clay sculptures is dug from the ground. First, the soil must be washed and dried to make it into special clay for clay sculptures.

To make a clay sculpture work, it has to go through many processes such as modeling, scraping, cutting, picking, pressing, and coloring.

It takes about a week to complete a simple clay sculpture, and more than a month for a complex one.

　　[Same period] Zhao Menghui, security guard of Erjie Primary School, Renqiu City, Hebei Province

　　(Clay sculptures) can not be exposed to the sun and must be dried in the shade. There are also small (cracked) openings in the shade, and then they are filled with mud. After filling, the last process is to sand with sandpaper. After sanding, use the finest mud to coat the whole. (Clay sculpture works) ) surface is particularly smooth.

　　[Explanation] Because Zhao Menghui's clay sculpture class is fresh and unique, it fits the children's playful nature, so it is welcomed by many students, and the children learn with relish in every class.

At present, Zhao Menghui, combined with his own teaching, has created more than 50 works such as "Sinking Fish", "Falling Geese", "Closed Moon", "Shame Flower", and "Tiger Tiger Grows Might".

The school also specially prepared a room to display Zhao Menghui's clay sculpture works.

　　[Concurrent] Li Haoran, a student of Erjie Primary School, Renqiu City, Hebei Province

　　We were very happy in Mr. Zhao's clay sculpture class. Teacher Zhao was very careful and patient when he taught us. I hope to have the opportunity in the future to learn more about traditional Chinese crafts like clay sculpture.

　　[Same period] Zhao Menghui, security guard of Erjie Primary School, Renqiu City, Hebei Province

　　I'm very tired but I'm very happy, because I'm doing what I like. It's a child's nature to play with mud. At the same time, they use their hands and brains, and they don't play with their phones anymore, which is a good thing.

In fact, I now have a job and two senses of gain. I am very satisfied with my job, and the school also supports the clay sculpture class. I hope to continue working.

　　Ai Guangde and Jia Aoxi reported from Cangzhou, Hebei.

Responsible editor: [Wang Kai]