Not having eyelids has made Penghu's scorching sun and bitter winter winds especially difficult for her to endure. When she finally entered the first grade at the age of ten, Mei-chu was held in awe by her classmates. A self-taught painter, she was already well-known locally for her talent. She was good in sports and had a bright personality.
十歲才上小學一年級的美珠，倒是威名顯赫，她無師自通的繪畫天份早已名傳鄉里，再加上運動細胞發達、個性開朗，在學校儼然一副大姐頭模樣。