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Three Days to See
Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that on day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty tasks, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life.
I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
Now and then I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. “Nothing in particular,” she replied. I might have been in credulous had I not been accustomed to such reposes, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.
How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In the spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter’s sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. I am delighted to have the cool water of a brook rush through my open fingers. To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. To me the pageant of season is a thrilling and unending drama, the action of which streams through my finger tips.
Excerpt from The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
海伦 凯勒(1880-1968),一个幽闭的盲聋哑世界的人,竟然毕业于美国哈佛大学德克利夫学院。她是一位作者和老师,她撰写了14部著作,并用生命的全部力量四处奔走,筹建慈善机构,为残疾人造福。她的名字对于全世界的残疾人来说具有特殊的意义,她的成功给予他们希望。海伦 恺勒被美国《时代周刊》评选为20世纪美国十大英雄偶像之一。 |  |  |  |  |
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