A single spark can start a prairie fire.

On January 5, 1930, Mao Zedong wrote a long letter to Lin Biao in Gucun Village, Shanghang County, Fujian Province, criticizing the pessimistic thoughts within the Party at that time and elaborating on the development laws of the Chinese revolution. At that time, the Red Army was in a difficult situation under enemy encirclement and suppression, and some comrades had become skeptical about the prospects of the revolution, raising the question "how long can the red flag last?" Mao Zedong used the vivid metaphor "a single spark can start a prairie fire" to demonstrate that although the Chinese revolution was temporarily weak, it possessed strong vitality and bright prospects for development.

This famous saying profoundly reveals the dialectical law of development: small forces under specific conditions can develop into tremendous forces, and local victories can expand to overall victory. It is both a scientific generalization of the development laws of the Chinese revolution and a vivid embodiment of revolutionary optimism. "A single spark" represents the seeds and embryonic state of revolution, while "prairie fire" symbolizes the comprehensive victory and widespread influence of revolution, embodying the philosophical principle from quantitative change to qualitative change.

Around New Year's Day 1930, Lin Biao, commander of the First Column of the Fourth Red Army, wrote to Mao Zedong expressing pessimism about the situation and the prospects of the revolution, believing that revolutionary victory was far away. In his reply, Mao Zedong systematically elaborated his views on the situation of the Chinese revolution and criticized Lin Biao's pessimistic thoughts. The letter stated: "China is covered with dry firewood throughout the country, which will soon burn into a raging fire. The saying 'a single spark can start a prairie fire' is an appropriate description of the development of the current situation." When this letter was later included in the Selected Works of Mao Zedong, it was titled "A Single Spark Can Start a Prairie Fire," becoming an important document guiding the Chinese revolution.

This famous saying guided the Chinese revolution from weakness to strength, from local areas to the entire country, ultimately achieving the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution. It became an important component of Mao Zedong Thought and provided valuable experience for revolutionary movements around the world. During the socialist construction period, this saying continued to inspire the Chinese people to overcome various difficulties and achieve one victory after another. Today, it remains a powerful spiritual force encouraging the Chinese people to strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

1. Establish lofty ideals: Set grand goals worth striving for 2. Start small: Break large goals into executable small steps 3. Persevere: Maintain patience and persistence, believing in the power of accumulation 4. Seize opportunities: Be good at discovering and utilizing favorable conditions and opportunities 5. Unite and cooperate: Combine individual small forces into collective powerful strength 6. Continuous learning: Constantly improve capabilities to accumulate energy for development 7. Innovative thinking: Use innovative methods to solve seemingly small problems 8. Optimistic spirit: Maintain a positive attitude and believe in a better future