中国网站品牌栏目（频道）
About one year ago, a man wearing a big yellow-green whistle around his neck suddenly appeared in the middle of the crosswalk in front of No 15 Primary School in Huizhou, Guangdong province.
He began blowing the whistle to stop traffic while gesturing for students to cross the road.
At times he angrily banged on the hood of cars when drivers ignored his commands. At times he had to grab students who refused to cross safely. Many wondered about the man in the crosswalk.
Now, 21-year-old Zhao Yuanwu has become one of the most revered people in the city. People online even kindly refer to the Huizhou native as "Brother Whistle" for his voluntary year-round presence in front of the school.
"He behaves so responsibly and always arrives before my own shift," said a traffic officer surnamed Lin with the Xiajiao traffic police detachment of the Huizhou Traffic Police Division.
Zhao works four shifts a day - like a real traffic officer: 7:10 am when the pupils go to school; 11:10 am when morning school finishes; 2:10 pm when the other half of the school day begins and 4:10 pm when the first group of children leave the schoolyard.
Lin said Zhao's manners have improved a lot over the past year.
"He learns quickly. But I hope he takes more care of himself. He seems to be unaware of the danger when he stands in the middle of the street," Lin said.
When he is not directing traffic, Zhao, who has a slight mental disability, collects waste paper or plastic bottles around the Xiajiao community. He once worked in a nearby factory.
In his unclear voice, Zhao explains that his mother has passed away and "(my) father works outside during the day time So no one is at home in the day".
Zhao always appears quietly, seemingly out of nowhere. Then suddenly they all hear his whistle.
（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
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