The ending of To the Wonder, also known as My Altay, is a poignant culmination of various characters’ journeys. Each of them takes a different path, leading to a reunion that encapsulates their growth and changes over the years.
The Characters’ Journeys
After the Eid al-Adha festival, Token returns to the county town with his children, where they attend school, and he develops a sweet relationship with Chao Ge. Sulitan, in contrast, decides to sell some of his livestock and retreat to the mountain pasture alone, seeking solitude and perhaps introspection.
Zhang Fengxia, on the other hand, follows Ayibek back to Rainbow Bulak. Her memories of the past resurface, blending with the present as she revisits familiar places. Batai leaves without a word, returning to Boer alone. Meanwhile, Wenxiu also returns to the county town, immersing herself in literary work.
Three years later, all the characters find themselves reunited in Rainbow Bulak. This reunion is marked by a blend of nostalgia and personal growth, showcasing how time and experiences have shaped their lives.
A Celebration of Life and Love
As the story progresses, Li Wenxiu’s journey becomes a focal point. After parting with her mother, she learns that Batai has gone to Qingdao to study. Comforted by her mother, Li Wenxiu embarks on her own literary journey, eventually finding herself at Liyuan Publishing House. Here, she discovers that Liu Haibo has been searching for her, eager to publish her collection of articles.
Li Wenxiu shares her experiences over dinner, revealing the emotional rollercoaster she has been through. She speaks of learning to love and live, getting hurt, and inadvertently causing pain to others, filling her with guilt. Despite these hardships, she fulfills her literary dream and starts working at the publishing house, earning her first royalties.
Years pass, and Li Wenxiu saves enough money to travel and explore the world, always carrying her experiences with her. Eventually, she feels the pull of home and decides to return to Rainbow Bulak for the New Year, bringing fireworks and a sense of celebration. She invites Chao Ge, Ayibek, Sulitan, and others to join her.
As fireworks light up the sky, a familiar sound of horse hooves approaches. Batai appears, and Li Wenxiu, overwhelmed with emotion, bursts into tears. This reunion, under the sparkling night sky, symbolizes the end of one journey and the beginning of another, filled with hope, forgiveness, and renewed connections.
In To the Wonder, the characters’ individual paths intertwine in a touching finale, reminding us of the power of love, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds that bring us back together, no matter how far we roam.
