When Mr. Ouyang Xiu was only four years old, his father passed away, and his family was in poverty, without the means to support his education. His mother used reed stems to write and draw on the sandy ground, teaching him to write characters. She also taught him to recite many ancient texts. As he grew older, with no books at home to read, he would borrow books from neighbors and sometimes copy them. In this way, he studied day and night, neglecting rest and meals, solely devoted to his studies. From a young age, his poetry and prose were written at a level comparable to that of an adult, so high.

His diligence and maturity are worth our learning.
Ouyang Xiu's success, in addition to his own efforts, was also due to his mother's effective teaching, which was a reason that promoted his growth.