(Minghui.org) My husband and I are both Falun Dafa practitioners. On May 12, 2016, our son asked me for one yuan so he could pay his teacher for the red scarf first graders are required to wear.

I had decided long ago not to allow the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to coerce our son into wearing the Young Pioneers' red scarf. However, this is a mandatory school rule in our area, and is under strict supervision. School-age children not wearing their red scarves will be penalized with marked-down grades or even refused entrance to any of the school buildings.

Although I was a bit anxious over this dilemma, the fact that the following day would be World Falun Dafa Day and Master’s birthday gave me courage and confidence.

Our son is not diligent in Fa study. His father and I constantly tell him about Dafa and how the CCP persecutes practitioners, and that the practice is welcomed around the world because it is good and Dafa practitioners are good people.

So, I put the question to him, “Are you going to wear the red scarf or not?”

He replied, half speaking to himself, “If I don’t wear the red scarf, my teacher will definitely be unhappy. But if I wear it, won’t I be a part of the Communist Party?”

Then he answered, “No. I won’t wear it!”

I told him that I would go talk to his teacher the next day. That evening, my husband and I decided that it might be better to call the teacher first to inquire if wearing the red scarf is mandatory.

The “Chinese Young Pioneers Charter” clearly states that children aged 6 to 14 years who are “willing” may submit an application and become a member upon approval. However, in recent years, schools have made it mandatory for all school-age children to wear the scarf whether there is any willingness or not.

The teacher told us over the phone, “It’s not up to me, but generally speaking, every child should wear a red scarf or there might be consequences that would affect the child.”

My husband and I decided that a visit to the school was a must. We haven't had a chance to talk to anybody at school about Dafa, so this would be the perfect opportunity to do so.

But then, all kinds of human notions popped up. What if the school insisted on our son wearing the red scarf? What if he would be ridiculed and abused by classmates and teachers for not wearing the scarf? If that happened, I would have to talk to the principal. What if the principal wouldn’t see me?

I knew these thoughts were wrong, and I tried hard to get rid of them.

I decided to study the Fa, believing that the Fa would enlighten me and grant me righteous thoughts.

Master said:

“As long as you come into contact with someone, you are doing something to save him—including when you solicit advertisements. Which side a person stands on, and whether he will make it—these are all things placed along the way as Dafa disciples go about interfacing with ordinary people in various capacities, and you shouldn’t attach too much importance to those activities in and of themselves. The bigger you perceive the challenges to be, the harder things will be to carry out, since “the appearance stems from the mind.” (“Fa Teaching Given at the Epoch Times Meeting” from Teaching the Fa at the Conference X)

The next morning when I arrived at my child’s school, I first sought out the classroom teacher. I introduced myself and asked who I needed to talk to regarding the matter of wearing the red scarf.

When I was told it would be the Moral Education Department on the second floor, I went looking for the director of that department.

The director was very warm and friendly. When I asked him if joining the Young Pioneers was voluntary, he replied, “In principle, it's voluntary. However, it’s best for the child to join as it relates to their future. Of course, if you say it’s against your wishes, we won’t insist.”

He then asked me to write a few words stating that it was my decision that my child would not be joining the Young Pioneers. This was a precautionary measure, so he wouldn't be blamed for my child not becoming a member.

I thought that was easy enough. I didn’t spend time talking to him about Dafa or the persecution, but instead started to chitchat about something else.

I went home in a happy mood, not yet aware that the old forces had already grasped onto my loophole.

The director called me half an hour later to tell me the principal would like to see me. I realized at once my mistake. I went to the principal’s office with firm determination to tell him about Dafa.

The principal was also exceptionally polite, and wanted to know why I refused to have my child join the Young Pioneers.

I began to tell him about the persecution my family had suffered because we practice Falun Dafa and live by the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance.

My husband was illegally arrested last year, and detained for 10 days because he had filed a criminal complaint against Jiang Zemin, the former head of the CCP and instigator of the persecution of Falun Dafa.

My husband has a dental clinic in a busy commercial district in the town. My mother-in-law and I were both present when the police came. We tried to stop them, and protested loudly. Many people came over to see what was going on. The entire street was blocked, impeding traffic. The incident became sensational news over the entire town.

As soon as I started to relay my story, the principal knew what I was talking about. I then told him how my father had been taken to prison and persecuted for 10 years.

The principal said, “I have no personal objection to your belief. The Communist Party has done a lot of things that are wrong. But, you have to think about your child. If he is the only one not wearing a red scarf, and the other 400 to 500 children are, he could be bullied. It’s not good for your son. We need to think about his feelings.”

The principal decided that the classroom teacher would talk to our son. If he chose not to be a Young Pioneer, then the school would not object.

On the way home, I kept asking myself why the principal insisted on having my child declare his personal feelings on this issue.

I realized that it was based on my strong attachment to sentimentality towards my son. I eliminated this attachment.

When my son came home from school, he said to me happily, “The director talked to my teacher to let her know that I don’t have to join the Young Pioneers. My teacher also said that there are six other parents in my class who don’t want their children to join either.”

When I heard out about the six other parents, I felt very happy for them.

My son came to me after school at a later date, and said “The teacher wanted to know why I don't want to join the Young Pioneers. I told her it is because I am not interested in joining any of the Party organizations.”

He also brought home a little red flower, on it was written the words: “You are awesome!” It was from his math teacher, because he received full marks on his test.

“Isn’t the flower encouragement from Master?” I remarked. “But you mustn’t feel overly pleased with your achievement. Now that more people at school know our family practices Falun Dafa, you have to show them how a Dafa disciple behaves. You have to be a credit to Dafa.”

My son nodded in agreement.

He came home with a big smile on his face the following day, saying, “Mom, I have a surprise for you.” It was another full mark on another test, and another red flower.

From then on, my son constantly came home with full marks on his tests.

He's never been the best of students, but his heartfelt decision not to join the Young Pioneers has earned him blessings, and these are coming along thick and fast.

At the same time, I realized that I must continue to guide my son to be more diligent in Fa study. After all, it is for the Fa that he has been born into this world.

He has become a better child and more loving toward his little sister. His handwriting has also improved.

They had a flag raising ceremony one day at his school. His classmates all lined up with their red scarves, singing the Young Pioneers song, but he didn’t sing. He just kept repeating in his heart: Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good! Falun Dafa is good!

After singing, the children all raised their fists to say the oath. My son's teacher went over to tell tell him that he didn’t have to raise his fist. He said, “I had no intention to anyway.”

My son is now the only student in his school who does not have to wear a red scarf. He has not suffered any repercussions, nor has he had any of his grades deducted.

I write this article to share with fellow practitioners who are also raising young children in China. Please put serious consideration into this matter. If more and more people refuse to join the CCP's organizations, the Party will be less and less emboldened.

There are a lot fewer old force factors around, so we must do better to be good examples and be more responsible for sentient beings.