If given a chance to see in three days

Have you ever heard or come across the name Helen Keller, the woman who became blind at an early age but never lost hope of seeing the world?

She has often thought it would be a blessing if every human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time. According to her, darkness perhaps would make her more appreciative of sight and silence and would teach her the joys of sound.

If she got so much pleasure from mere touch, how much more beauty must be revealed by sight? If given three days to use her eyesight, she wished to divide the period in three days. On the first day she would want to see the people whose generosity and companionship had made her life worth living. She would like to see into their hearts true friendship. How many of those whose eyes are normal can see the inner nature of a friend? Isn’t it true that most of those seeing people grasp casually the outward features of a face and let it go at that?

Then she would feast her eyes on the face of a baby; so she could visualize the innocent beauty which presides the person’s consciousness of the conflicts which life develops. Then Helen should like to see the books which had been read to her and which had revealed to her the deepest mysteries of human life.

In the afternoon, she would like to take a long walk in the woods and see the beauties of the world of nature, and glorify the splendor of the colorful sunset.

On the second day, she wishes to arise with the dawn and see for herself the exciting miracle by which night is transformed into day. This day she would like to go to the museum to get a glimpse of the past of the past and present world, especially the art museum. The paintings of Michelangelo, Picasso, and other great world painters would surely amuse her. Artists used to tell her that for a deep and true appreciation of art one must educate the eyes.

In the evening of the second day, she would like to spend at a theatre or at the movies. How she should like to see Hamlet staged, Pavlova Pirovette in her light fantastic toes. How wonderful to see grace in motion.

On the third day, she would like to spend in a workaday world, a world where men do brisk business. The city becomes her destination. Helen would stand in a busy corner merely looking at people. When they smile, she is happy; when they are determined, she is proud; and when she sees sufferings, she is compassionate. At a later time, she would make a tour of the city – to the slums, to factories, to parks where children play. Always, her eyes will be opened wide to all sights of both happiness and misery; so that she may probe deep and add understanding of how people work and live.

On the night of the third day, Helen would like to engage in many serious pursuits. 0of course, in those three short days she could not have seen all she wanted to see. Only when darkness had again come should she realize how much she had left and seen.

She gives one piece of advice to those who see: “Use your eyes as if tomorrow you would be stricken blind”. But of all senses, to her, sight must be the most delightful. (taken from previous class readings/topics)

Questions: To my "Reading Students", have fun reading and exploring and most of all have fun answering the following questions too. Copy the questions please. See you around.

1. What is being talked about in this essay?
2. Who is being referred to in the title?
3. Accordingly, the sight is the most delighful of all senses. Why?
4. If you were depived of sight and given chance to see in 3 hours, what is the most
important thing would you like to see? Why?
5. How will you descibe the following things to somebody blind?
a. the color red, blue, yellow, green, white, black (choose only one color
to describe)
b. the environment
c. yourself


"Prof. D"