Most of us,however,take life for granted.We know that one 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.
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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 incredulous 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 waters of a brook rush through my open finger.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 seasons is a thrilling and unending drama,the action of which streams through my finger tips.
Helen Keller:Three Days to See
但是,我们大多数人把生活认为是理所当然的.我们知道,某一天我们一定会死,但通常我们把那天想象在遥远的将来.当我们心宽体健时,死亡几乎是不可想象的.我们很少想到它.时日在无穷的展望中延展着.于是我们干着琐碎的事情,几乎意识不到我们对生活的倦怠态度.
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我常想如果每一个人都看不见和听不到的早些时候,有几天在他成年.黑暗将使他更珍惜光明;沉寂将教他知道声音的乐趣.
我不时地询问过我的能看见东西的朋友们,以了解他们看到什么.最近,我的一个很好的朋友来看我刚从一片森林里散步许久,我问她看到了什么…“没什么特别的.”她回答.我可能不若非我已经习惯了这样的回答,安放在,因为很久以前我就相信的.
怎么可能,我问自己,在树林中走了一个小时而没有看到任何值得注意的吗?我是看不见的东西感兴趣.我想知道,仅仅通过触摸.我感觉到叶片的精致的对称.我用手爱抚着光滑的白桦、或者一个银色的粗糙、毛茸茸的树皮松树.在春天,我满怀希望地触摸树枝,冀求找着一颗幼芽最初的大自然经过冬日沉睡重又苏醒.我觉得这个令人愉快的天鹅绒般的质地,并发现它的花卷绕,一些大自然的神奇透露给了我.有时,如果我很幸运,我把手轻轻地放在一棵小树上,能感到愉快颤抖的歌唱的小鸟.我很高兴有清凉的溪水从我张开的手指流淌过去.对我来说,一片茂密的地毯式的松针叶或松软而富弹性的草地比最豪华更受欢迎的波斯地毯更惬意.在我看来,一年四季的是一个令人激动的、无穷尽的戏剧,它的情节似水般徐徐从我指尖流过.
海伦·凯勒:3天
