In ancient China, emperors longed for immortality and pursued the medicine of immortals.
Qin Shi Huang once sent envoys to Penglai Xiandao to find it, wanting to rule the Great Qin Dynasty.
However, this is pure superstition, and life is finite after all. And in Indonesia, an old man stood tall in two world wars, as if death had forgotten him.
Until 2017, he chose to end his 146-year-old life through a voluntary hunger strike, and his children and grandchildren expressed his greatest wish to be buried as soon as possible.
The old man's name was Mbah Gotho.
At the age of 122, he was seriously ill, but miraculously**, rumors were widely spread. Indonesian** staff confirmed after investigation that Godot was born on December 31, 1870, and although his age is doubtful, his longevity was officially confirmed.
Godot's life spanned several historical periods.
Born during the Dutch colonial period, he was involved in Indonesia's national awakening movement and lived through two world wars.
After the war, he started a family, witnessed Indonesia's independence, and enjoyed the warmth of family. However, the years are merciless, his wife is gone, his children and grandchildren are gone, and Godot gradually feels lonely.
He had thought about life and death many times and even prepared a coffin for himself, but death seemed to have forgotten him.
Over the long years, Godot has experienced parting again and again, watching the familiar people around him drift away, and the changes in his hometown make him feel very emotional.
Despite the dullness of life and the fading of the public's attention, Godot still held on to his life.
On his 146th birthday, Godot felt his life waning, and he chose to go on a hunger strike to meet his long-awaited death.
Relatives tried to persuade him to be healed, but Godot resolutely returned home and ended his life. His passing was a relief for him.
In accordance with his wishes, the relatives changed him into a funeral robe, placed him in a coffin that had been prepared long ago, and buried him in the designated place.
That place, where his wife and children are buried, may be a long-lost reunion.
In Godot's world, parting is also a kind of reunion.