One sunny afternoon, a group of children were playing in their village's dusty streets. Among them was seven-year-old Wang Rong, a boy with a curious mind and keen sight. He was observing the world around him, taking in the sights and sounds of his everyday life.

Among the many sights that the village offered, one particular sight caught the children's attention - a plum tree, laden with ripe, juicy fruit. The tree was near the road, its branches heavy and bending under the weight of the plums.

The sight of the plum tree, overflowing with fruit, had the children excited. They thought of the sweet, juicy plums they could pluck and eat. One by one, they started to run towards the tree, leaving an excited Wang Rong behind.

However, Wang Rong didn't join them. He merely stood still, eyes fixed on the plum tree. He noticed that the tree was growing by the roadside, and the fruits were abnormally large. Something was off.

Another child, Zhang Wei, noticed Wang Rong standing still. He was surprised as Wang Rong was usually the first one to join in the fun. He paused and asked him why he wasn't going forward.

Wang Rong calmly shared his observation, "This tree is growing by the road, and its fruits are too many and too large. I suspect these plums might be bitter." The unusual response left Zhang Wei puzzled, but he continued towards the tree.

The children, unaware of Wang Rong's caution, couldn't resist the call of the juicy fruit. They reached the tree and started plucking and eating the plums enthusiastically. Their joy abruptly ended when they bit into the fruits.

The plums were not sweet like they imagined but were instead extremely bitter. The children's joy turned into disappointment, and some even grimaced at the unpleasant taste. Wang Rong's words from before echoed in their minds.

Feeling defeated, the children abandoned the bitter plums, their excitement replaced by a shared feeling of regret. They looked at Wang Rong, who stood at the same spot, watching them with a knowing look.

Zhang Wei approached Wang Rong, "You were right. The plums are indeed bitter. But how did you know?" Wang Rong simply smiled and pointed at the tree, reminding him of the clues he picked up earlier.

Wang Rong explained, "The tree was near the road, which means it's exposed to dust and vehicle exhaust all the time. This could have affected the taste of the fruit. And the abundance of fruit may suggest it lacks care, which could also lead to bitterness."

Zhang Wei was amazed by Wang Rong’s logical reasoning. He realised that Wang Rong was not just steady but also wise beyond his years. He pledged to learn from his friend’s discerning nature.

The other children too slowly began to understand Wang Rong’s wisdom. They learnt a valuable lesson that day - that appearances can be deceiving. And they admired Wang Rong all the more for his perceptive nature.

From that day on, the children made sure to consider Wang Rong’s opinion before jumping into any decision. And Wang Rong, with his calm and thoughtful demeanor, subtly taught his friends to be more observant and thoughtful.

The memory of the bitter plums stayed with the children long after that day. The plum tree, once a symbol of temptation, became a reminder of their shared experience and the lesson they learnt.

Over the years, the children grew, and so did their wisdom. Zhang Wei often recalled the incident and Wang Rong’s wisdom. The bitter fruit of the plum tree had taught him a life-long lesson in discernment.

The village children often recounted the story of the bitter plums to the younger generation. And so, it became a part of the village folklore. The story served as a valuable lesson, reminding them not to be swayed by mere appearances.

Wang Rong, with his wisdom and calmness, left an indelible imprint on his friends and the village. His story became a beautiful legend that continued to inspire children in the village.

The plum tree standing by the roadside, still bearing bitter fruit, became a living testament to that fateful day. It stood as a reminder of the wisdom and discernment of a seven-year-old boy named Wang Rong.

Whenever someone passed by the tree, they would remember the story of the bitter fruit and Wang Rong's wisdom. The tree, and its bitter fruit, remained a symbol of wisdom and discernment in the village.

The story of the bitter plum tree and Wang Rong's wisdom instilled a valuable lesson among the villagers - to not judge by appearances and to always trust in wise discernment.

Wang Rong's story became a part of the village's culture, spoken time and again, and fondly remembered by everyone. The boy who stood his ground and trusted his judgement became a hero in the village folklore.

Time passed and children grew into adults, but the story of Wang Rong and the bitter plum tree lived on. The tree still stands by the roadside, a silent teacher, reminding everyone of the wisdom of a seven-year-old boy.

The lessons learned from the bitter plum tree were not just about the fruits but about life itself. The village children, who were now adults, continued to apply the wisdom they learned from Wang Rong in their daily lives.

So, the story of Wang Rong and the bitterly sweet plum tree continued to echo in the village. A symbol of wisdom and discernment, the plum tree became a part of the village's identity, just like Wang Rong.

The next generation of children in the village grew up knowing the story. The plum tree was more than just a tree for them, it was a living sign of Wang Rong's wisdom, a story of discernment, and a reminder of life's sweet and bitter lessons.