Half a Day (1989)学英语有什么用
Translated by Denys Johnson-Daviescyborg
I proceeded alongside my father, clutching his right hand, running to keep up with the long strides he was taking. All my clothes were new: the black shoes, the green school uniform, and the red tarboosh. My delight in my new clothes, however, was not altogether unmarred, for this was no feast day but the day on which I was to be cast into school for the first time.
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, and I would turn toward her from time to time, as though appealing for help. We walked along a street lined with gardens; on both sides were extensive fields planted with crops, prickly pears, henna trees, and a few date palms.
“Why school?” I challenged my father openly. “I shall never do anything to annoy you.”
激怒是什么意思>中国石油大学远程教育学院
basketball的音标
在职研究生mba “I’m not punishing you,” he said, laughing. “School is not a punishment. It’s the factory that makes uful men out of boys. Don’t your want to be like your father and brothers?”smile
I was not convinced. I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from the intimacy of my home and throwing me into this building that stood at the end of the road like some huge, high-walled fortress, exceedingly stern and grim.
delay no more When we arrived at the gate we could e the courtyard, vast and crammed full of boys and girls. “Go in by yourlf,” said my father, “and join them. Put a smile on your face and be a good example to others.”
I hesitated and clung to his hand, but he gently pushed me from him. “Be a man,” he said. “Today you truly begin life. You will find me waiting for you when it’s time to leave.”
I took a few steps, then stopped and looked but saw nothing. Then the faces of boys and girls came into view. I did not know a single one of them, and none of them knew me. I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way. But glances of curiosity were directed at me, and one boy approached and asked, “Who brought you?”
“My father,” I whispered.
“My father’s dead,” he said quite simply.
I did not now what to say. The gate was clod, letting out a pitiable screech. Some of the children burst into tears. The bell rang. A lady came along, followed by a group of men. The men began sorting us into ranks. We were formed into an intricate pattern in the great courtyard surrounded on three sides by high building of veral floors; from each floor we were overlooked by a long balcony roofed in wood.
“This is your new home,” said the woman. “Here too there are mothers and fathers. Here there is everything that is enjoyable and beneficial to knowledge and religion. Dry you tears and face life joyfully.”
We submitted to the facts, and this submission brought a sort of contentment. Living beings were drawn to other living beings, and from the first moments my heart made friends with such boys as were to be my friends and fell in love with such girls as I was to be in love with, so that it emed my misgivings had had no basis. I had never imagined school would have this rich variety. We played all sorts of different games: swings, the vaulting hor, ball games. In the music room we chanted our first songs. We also had our first introduction to language. We saw a globe of the Earth, which revolved and showed the various continents and countries. We started learning the numbers. The story of the Creator of the univer was read to us, we were told of His prent work and of His Hearafter, and we heard examples of what He said. We ate delicious food, took a little nap, and woke up to go on with friendship and love, play and learning.
英文铃声
As our path revealed itlf to us, however, we did not find it as totally sweet and unclouded as we had presumed. Dust-laden wins and unexpected accidents came about suddenly, so we had to be watchful, at the ready, and very patient. It was not a matter of
playing and fooling around. Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give ri to fighting. And while the lady would sometimes smile, she would often scowl and scold. Even more frequently she would resort to physical punishment.
slavery In addition, the time for changing one’s mind was over and gone and there was no question of ever returning to the paradi of home. Nothing lay ahead of us but exertion, struggle, and perverance. Tho who were able took advantage of the opportunities for success and happiness that prented themlves amid the worries.
