Each stage of life presents different landscapes and charms, much like the distinct flavors of fine teas.

The First Cup of Tea

"At birth, humans are like uncarved jade." Children speak their minds without pretense—laughing when happy and crying when upset. The story of "Zengzi Killing the Pig" illustrates how a child's innocence cannot tolerate deceit. Children rarely do wrong; if they occasionally misbehave, it is often due to adult influence. Their minds are untainted—swallowing an orange seed might even make them dream of a golden fruit-bearing tree. Childhood, the purest phase, resembles a light green tea: natural, clear, and transparent.

The Second Cup of Tea

Steam rises like poetry, fragrance lingers like dreams—and so does young love. Youth is like a cup of floral tea: rich, refreshing, and aromatic. Cupid favors the young, whether it’s the longing of "searching a thousand times in dreams, only to find them by the dimming lights," the shyness of "turning back to sniff the plum blossoms," the vows of "only parting if winter thunders and summer snows," or the sorrow of "love lingering between brows and heart." Love enriches youth, making it even more poignant.

The Third Cup of Tea

Middle age is like golden autumn rice, plump and sturdy; it is October sunlight, warm but not scorching. Middle age resembles a strong green tea—rich in color, deep and mellow in taste. By this stage, one no longer weeps over romantic tales or seeks validation from celebrity autographs. With elderly parents above and children below, spare moments are rare. When time allows, one might dust off long-neglected books or prepare dinner for an exhausted spouse. Middle age brings honesty—no more deceitful excuses to bosses or mocking others’ flaws. Calm and generous, maturity defines this phase.

The Fourth Cup of Tea

As Wang Meng said: "Children are kind, and so are those who truly understand life’s depths." The latter refers to the elderly. In old age, ambition fades, replaced by rare tolerance and a return to simplicity. Friendships are cherished, honesty prevails. Decades of trials shape noble character and profound thought. As the saying goes: "Character is the finest scenery; thought, the greatest wealth." The elderly are treasures. Old age is like oolong tea, blending the clarity of green tea and the richness of black tea, with "green leaves and red edges." To understand the elderly is to savor oolong tea—what lingers is their indomitable spirit.