Ma's works of root carvings. Screenshot of China Comment

A 75-year-old man surnamed Ma from Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, who suffered from stomach cancer, created more than 150 root carvings from discarded tree roots and built a "zoo" in his home. During the five years of fight against cancer, Ma taught himself the art of root carving. His "sculptures" include leaping tigers, lying pigs and clumsy old cows.

Ma's optimism and determination to work hard have touched many netizens. "Young people should learn from his optimism and passion for life," one netizen said. "It seems that mental strength really can overcome illness," another netizen commented. 

According to Ma, he has basically recovered from the cancer. Ma felt very happy to be able to turn waste into "treasure" while improving his own health at the same time. Ma said that he has gained a sense of accomplishment from these works and that the root carvings are not for sale.