英语优秀作文范文10篇实用20篇

When autumn comes, I feel so excited, because the sports meeting comes. I

like sports so much. When I was very small, my father took me to watch the

basketball match, in the long time, sports have become part of my life. When I

started to come to school, I join the basketball team, I had the great time to

practice with my friends. Though high school life is very busy and I have to

learn so many subjects, I still keep taking exercise everyday. Sports meeting

time is my favorite time in the semester. I can take part in many activities,

such as basketball and high jump. I am full of energy, I just want to enjoy the

moment of taking exercise. Sports meeting indeed brings students many energy and

make the students become active. They can also exercise their bodies.

Unlike Martin Luther King’s, my dreams are fair and plain, and there are

many of them. I have a dream from the first time I sit in a car—I want to

drive.

Driving is like running without foot, racing without strength. It’s the

most meaningful way to meet human being’s desire of “faster”. When driving, I

have to put all my spirit to. Operating a car at ease will cost years of

experience.

Driving will take me to my wanting destination, no matter it rains or snows

or winds. I never am afraid of shoes wet, umbrella broken or ears frozen. A car

is rather like a moving house, which protects me completely and helps me rush

directly to the aim hanging ahead. That suits my nature perfectly: love to take

risks conservatively. A smooth ride in a good car is an enjoyable satisfaction.

Seeing rows of trees moving backward rapidly, a feeling of stepping forward will

fill fully in my mind. With music hovering, breeze blowing, my soul flies in the

air.

I was always sick when took a ride of a car, especially when I was young.

Father told me that a driver would never have carsick. That may be one of the

important reasons for me to desire driving.

This summer I am going to learn driving and get my car license. The dream

with all my heart will follow the promise it had made.

Currently,?there?is?a?widespread?concern?over?(the?issue?that)__作文题目_______?.It?is?really?an?important?concern?to?every?one?of?us.?As?a?result,?we?must?spare?no?efforts?to?take?some?measures?to?solve?this?problem.?

As?we?know?that?there?are?many?steps?which?can?be?taken?to?undo?this?problem.?First?of?all,?__途径一______.?In?addition,?another?way?contributing?to?success?of?the?solving?problem?is?___途径二_____.?

Above?all,?to?solve?the?problem?of?___作文题目______,?we?should?find?a?number?of?various?ways.?But?as?far?as?I?am?concerned,?I?would?prefer?to?solve?the?problem?in?this?way,?that?is?to?say,?____方法_____.?

The Huang Mountain is a place of interest. here are lots of tourists seeing sights every day. Years ago, some of them paid no attention to environment protection. They threw about waste paper, plastic bags and tins. Besides, they killed animals, caught birds, destroyed trees and flowers. Worse still,

they often made a fire to cook in the forest. That was dangerous. Changes have taken place now. When tourists leave, they take away rubbish with them. They no longer hunt animals. Plants are also protected. All the tourists carry their lunch in order not to start forest fire. We must sing high praise of the good deeds.

When a guest comes to my home from afar on a cold night, I light bamboo to

boil tea to offer him. Ancient Chinese poem.China is the home country of tea.

Before the Tang Dynasty, Chinese tea was exported by land and sea, first to

Japan and Korea, then to India and Central Asia and, in the Ming and Qing

dynasties, to the Arabian Peninsula. In the early period of the 17th century,

Chinese tea was exported to Europe, where the upper class adopted the fashion of

drinking tea. Chinese tea like Chinese silk and china has become synonymous

worldwide with refined culture. At the heart of the culture of tea the study and

practice of tea in all its aspects is the simple gesture of offering a cup of

tea to a guest that for Chinese people today is a fundamental social custom, as

it has been for centuries.China traces the development of tea as an art form to

Lu Yu, known as the Saint of Tea in Chinese history, who lived during the Tang

Dynasty and who wrote The Book of Tea, the first ever treatise on tea and tea

culture. The spirit of tea permeates Chinese culture, and throughout the country

there are many kinds of teas, teahouses, tea legends, tea artifacts and tea

customs. Better-known places to enjoy a good cup of tea in China include Beijing

noted for its variety of teahouses; Fujian and Guangdong provinces and other

places in the southeast of China that serve gongfu tea, a formal serving of tea

in tiny cups; the West Lake in Hangzhou, also the home of the Tea Connoisseurs

Association, noted for its excellent green tea; and provinces in southwest China

like Yunnan where the ethnic groups less affected by foreign cultures retain tea

ceremonies and customs in original tea-growing areas.

In an instant, and to the winter vacation, our winter vacation life rich

and colorful, I most love to my grandmother went to the winter vacation, my

grandma has a large yard, evergreen camphor, a colorful chrysanthemum, there is

a special season quiet hibernating turtle, up to the number of dust, all kinds

of vegetables with the above, if some snow would be more fun, but this holiday

isnt snowing, but Im not lost, there is so much mud, I can play with mud and

sister together, do "ceramic" play.

Although it was winter, it didnt feel cold at all. We were still happy to

get ready, spades, boards, and water. We caught a lot of dirt on the prepared

board, with a small amount of water and together, we had two small wooden mix,

but that is not only cumbersome and very slow, so we cut out by hand mix up, we

got two hands red with cold, also dirty, but his face was filled with happy

smile. I accidentally put mud on my face, my sister laughed I became a big

cat.

Then we grabbed the mud and fell to the ground, put it onto the semi soft

semi hard degree, as we fell awfully, my hand suddenly a pain, I looked at the

hand, turned out to be a stab into the palm, drew a deep hole, I can dont hurt

you call up. My sister hurried over to see what I see, a hand scratched, still

bleeding, hurried to help me wash away the mud and water stains, and then find

out carry off all that one has a small perturbation, give me the clip out of the

thorn, looked distressed. I am very grateful, kept saying thank you, sister to

help me put a bandage. Looking at my sisters wary look, the pain relieved a

lot.

We went on to work again, and finally, under our joint efforts, we made a

nice bowls. Our works were so successful that we forgot the pain.

In this winter day, although there is a pain, more harvest is happiness and

friendship. Enjoy the tail of my childhood. Find the joy of our childhood.

According to the Chinese tradition，at the very beginning of a new year，

when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky， there should be thousands

of colorful lanterns hung out.

During the Lantern Festival， people will try to solve the puzzles on the

lanterns and eat yuanxiao (glutinous rice ball)。

In the Sui Dynasty in the sixth century， Emperor Yangdi invited envoys from

other countries to China to see the colorful lighted lanterns and enjoy the gala

performances.

By the beginning of the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century， the lantern

displays would last three days. The emperor also lifted the curfew， allowing the

people to enjoy the festive lanterns day and night.

In the Song Dynasty， the festival was celebrated for five days and the

activities began to spread to many of the big cities in China.

Today，3the displaying of lanterns is still a big event on the 15th day of

the first lunar month throughout China.

The fillings inside the dumplings or Yuansiao are either sweet or salty.

Sweet fillings are made of sugar，Walnuts，sesame，osmanthus flowers，rose petals，or

jujube paste etc. A single ingredient or any combination can be used as the

filling . The salty variety is filled with minced meat，vegetables etc.

Music is the important part of my life. The world needs music to amuse

peoples life. As they live in the fast pace, music can bring them the great joy

and relax. Since I was very small, I fell in love with music and every time when

I heard music, my body would move and feel relaxed. The function of music is

various.

There is a famous song, which called let the music heal your soul. A lot of

young people have their favorite singers. When they see their idols face to

face, they would say thank you to the singers, because their songs inspire these

young people to move on in the dark days. The songs deliver positive messages to

the public and inspire them to never give up.

Listening to the music is the main way for the young people to release

their pressure. Every day before I sleep, I will listen to the light music,

which helps me to take relax and make me sleep well. The reason why so many

people like to KTV after their work lies in releasing pressure. They need to

shout and then forget about the annoyance.

Music is favored by everyone and it is the indispensable part of our

life.

背影有大有小，有悲伤也有不舍的。最让我感动的是2020年白衣天使们逆行的背影。

There are big and small back, there are sad and reluctant. What moved me

most is the back of the angels in white in 2020.

新的一年来了……以往的春节都是热热闹闹的，大街小巷都挤满了人，超市、菜场更是人山人海，每个角落都能听到人们的笑声。

The new year is coming In the past, the Spring Festival was full of bustle,

streets and alleys were full of people, supermarkets and vegetable farms were

even more crowded, people could hear peoples laughter in every corner.

可今年的年却没有了年的样子，新型冠状病毒来到我们的身边，破坏了热闹非凡的春节和无忧无虑的假期。

Novel coronavirus came to our side light of heart from care and the

carefree holiday.

新型冠状病毒长得像一个皇冠，因此得名。他就像一个高傲无知的国王，把人们都锁在家里，不能出去。

The novel coronavirus is named after a crown. He was like a proud and

ignorant king who locked people in his home and could not go out.

疾风知劲草，大浪现英雄。钟南山爷爷带领着医护队研究药品，李兰娟奶奶也为此疫情做出了极大的贡献。一方有难，八方支援。无数医护人员听到消息纷纷从四面八方赶往武汉支援。

The wind knows the grass, the waves show the hero. Grandpa Zhong Nanshan

led the medical team to study drugs, and Grandma Li Lanjuan also made a great

contribution to the epidemic. If one side is in trouble, support from all sides.

Countless medical staff rushed to Wuhan from all directions to support when they

heard the news.

每当在新闻中看到白衣天使们穿着7层厚厚的防护服时，我都想对他们说一句:谢谢，你们辛苦了!在密不透风的防护服里，医者们大汗淋漓。他们几乎没有休息时间，因为他们还要争分夺秒从死神手里夺回病人的生命。

Whenever I see angels in white wearing 7 thick protective clothing in the

news, I want to say to them: Thank you, youve worked hard! In the airtight

protective clothing, the doctors are sweating profusely. They have little rest

time because they have to fight against the clock to take the patients life

back from death.

我希望这次没有硝烟的战争早日结束。白衣天使们，你们辛苦了!

I hope the war will be over as soon as possible. Angels in white, you work

hard!

Spring Festival is coming,I am very happy.On this winter holiday,I went to

visit my grandparents with my parents. My grandmother is very zeal.Our dinner is

very delicious.After the dinner,the people gave me money in red envelopes.I am

very happy in this family with my grandparents.

Sometimes,we go to climb the mountains.The mountain is very high.Look!There

is a clean river near the mountain.And there are some beautiful flowers,grass

and big trees.Some trees are orange trees,the others are banana trees.Oh,I am

very tired but interesting.

I am very happy on this holiday because I like Spring Festival very

much.What about you?

So many children take what their parents do for them for granted, they

haven’t realized the meaning of being grateful. So they always get angry with

their parents, because they don’t get what they want. According to the news that

a little girl went out of the house and refused to go home because her parents

did not give her enough pocket money. I was so shocked to hear it, I would never

ask much from my parents, because I knew they were not easy to make a living and

I am always feel so thankful for what they offer me. Even the one who gives me a

hand when I am in need, I would remember him and when I have the chance, I will

return. A grateful heart makes us a kind person and create a harmonious

environment.

In my hometown, the air is polluted seriously. However, in recent years,

the pollution gets from bad to worse, because of the increasing number of

private cars. Especially during the rush hours, too many private vehicles move

slowly on narrow roads, emitting a large amount of waste gas. Moreover, the

poisonous gas sent by the nearby factories is also one of the main causes of

pollution. Therefore, it’s demanded that immediate and effective measures must

be taken to restrict private cars and public transportation must be developed to

the largest extent. Besides, we should use renewable and clean energy

recourses.

The animal is the friend of our human beings. We live in the same earth.

Animals and human beings can’t be separated from each other. But some animals

are getting less and less. So it’s necessary for us to protect animals,

especially wild animals. Some people kill wild animal because of money. It’s

illegal. Beside, because of the development of society, human needs more space

to live in, so we explore the forest. Animals have less space to live in. The

number of wild animals decreases year by year. It’s high time to take actions to

protect wild animals.

I always dream about returning to the past. As many people say, childhood

is the happiest and easiest time in one’s life. Children show you their true

emotions.

They know what is compassion and what is tolerance better than adults.

In their world, all real thoughts are presented.

They may easily have different opinions with others, but they never

understand what is animosity.

They enjoy making friends but they never think about making social

communication net. Every child talks from the bottom of his heart without evil

plans hidden and never intrigues against each other.

Only in children’s way can adults make our life simple, more real and more

enjoyable.

I wish everyone’s heart would keep as innocent and lovely as they ever did

in their childhood. Then, the walls between our hearts can be broken down and

the world would be a better place to live in.

There is an old Chinese saying: Top students come from strict teachers.

Perhaps affected by this saying for a long time, we believe it right. However,

as time flies, lots of things have changed. Therefore, I am eager to discuss

what relation is the best between teachers and students.A teacher can treat a

student in two ways .One is strict, and the other is friendly. Most teachers

prefer the first way.To start with, we certainly have to admit that strictness

is very effective, especially to the naughty pupils.

As pupils we aren’t able to control ourselves well or fix our attention on

one thing for a long time. We do most things because they are interesting or we

feel like doing. We are always looking out of the window in class. Sometimes, we

get to play games and forget our homework. On this occasion, strictness is a

must. It not only forces us to do the right thing, but also helps us develop a

good learning habit, which is of great importance during our whole life .In

other words, it is the first step to success.Still, everything has two sides.

Its weak points are very obvious. You see, there’re top students in a class,

where average students make up the majority. Then teachers’ orders or

suggestions are for the majority, not for top students. However, top students

always have their own study plans and prefer special homework, so orders usually

won’t take great effect on them.

Maybe you have thought out that teachers can give orders only to the

majority and set some freedom to top students. However, it’s impossible .For a

whole class, teachers couldn’t give order to part of the class, for the majority

would question why they needn’t do such work, but we need? It would be probable

that they think teachers treat them not equally, and will not obey teachers’

orders any more. This is a difficulty for teachers.It also has another

disadvantage——the communication problem .Since teachers are strict, we never

tell teachers our personal affairs or secrets. Mostly we just tell them to our

friends, but as students too, they couldn’t help to solve our problem, such as

puppy love, communication problems or study problems .Not being solved

completely, they always disturb us, influencing our daily life and study. I’m

sure that you think that making friends with teachers can solve the problem, and

you are eager to do so as well. But if we do so, new problems will come out .You

see, an adult couldnt control himself well at times, let alone us students.

However if teachers are our friends, I doubt whether their orders will take

effect any more .You see, have we ever treated our friends’ orders as orders? We

think they’re only jokes. This is another difficulty for teachers.Additionally,

our parents have the same problem. Yes, we need to be friends, but not complete

friends. We need to keep a certain distance, making us communicate well and

willing to take your orders. I remember a story.One day, a lady had her rest

room decorated. And a skilled worker was bricking up the wall. Seeing large

cracks between the bricks, she questioned why. The worker told her after this

summer, the bricks would become bigger, and those cracks would disappear.That is

not only decoration, but also communication. The principle is the same.

There are many different beliefs about the origin of the Lantern Festival.

But one thing for sure is that it had something to do with celebrating and

cultivating positive relationship between people, families, nature and the

higher beings they believed were responsible for bringing/returning the light

each year.

One legend tells us that it was a time to worship Taiyi, the God of Heaven

in ancient times. The belief was that the God of Heaven controlled the destiny

of the human world. He had sixteen dragons at his beck and call and he decided

when to inflict drought, storms, famine or pestilence upon human beings.

Beginning with Qinshihuang, the first emperor to unite the country, all the

emperors ordered splendid ceremonies each year. The emperor would ask Taiyi to

bring favorable weather and good health to him and his people. Emperor Wudi of

the Han Dynasty directed special attention to this event. In 104 BC, he

proclaimed it as one of the most important celebrations and the ceremony would

last throughout the night. They clean it all up in the morning.

Another legend associates the Lantern Festival with Taoism. Tianguan is the

Taoist god responsible for good fortune. His birthday falls on the 15th day of

the first lunar month. It is said that Tianguan likes all types of

entertainment, so followers prepare various kinds of activities during which

they pray for good fortune.

Yet another common legend dealing with the origins of the Lantern Festival

speaks of a beautiful bird that flew down to earth from heaven, which was hunted

and killed by some villagers. This angered the Jade Emperor in Heaven because

the bird was his favorite one. Therefore, he planned a storm of fire to destroy

the village on the 15th lunar day. The Jade Emperors daughter heard of this

plan, and warned the villagers of her father’s plan to destroy their village.

The village was in turmoil because nobody knew how should they escape their

imminent destruction.

However, a wise man from another village suggested that every family should

hang red lanterns around their houses, set up bonfires on the streets, and

explode firecrackers on the 14th, 15th, and 16th lunar days. This would give the

village the appearance of being on fire to the Jade Emperor. On the 15th lunar

day, troops sent down from heaven whose mission was to destroy the village saw

that the village was already ablaze, and returned to heaven to report to the

Jade Emperor. Satisfied, the Jade Emperor decided not to burn down the village.

From that day on, people celebrate the anniversary on the 15th lunar day every

year by carrying red lanterns on the streets and exploding firecrackers and

fireworks.

There are many stories on how this festival was created. One other story is

about a maid. In the Han Dynasty, Mr. Eastern was a favorite advisor of the

emperor. One winter day, he went to the garden and heard a little girl crying

and getting ready to jump into a well to commit suicide. Mr. Eastern stopped her

and asked why. She said she was a maid in the emperors palace and her name was

Yuan-Xiao.

She never had the chance to meet her family after she started worked at the

palace. She missed them so much every 12th lunar month. If she couldnt have the

chance to show her filial piety in this life, she would rather die. Mr. Eastern

promised her to find a way so she could reunion with her family. Mr. Eastern

left the palace and set up a fortune-telling stall on the street and disguised

himself as a fortuneteller. Because of his reputation, many people asked for

their fortunes.

But every one got the same prediction - a severe fire accident on the 15th

lunar day. The rumor spread quickly. Everyone was worried about the future and

asked Mr. Eastern for help. Mr. Eastern said, "On the 13th lunar day, the God of

Fire will send a fairy lady in red to burn down the city. If you see a lady in

red wearing green pants riding a black horse on that day, you should ask for her

mercy." On that day, Yuan-Xiao pretended to be the red fairy lady. When people

asked for her help, she said, "Im the messenger of the God of Fire and came to

check on the city and Im going to set up fire on 15th. This is an order from

Jade Emperor. He will watch from the heavens.

I will give you a copy of the imperial decree from the God of Fire. You

should go to ask your emperor to find a way out." After she left, people went to

the palace to show the emperor the decree which reads "The capital city is in

trouble. Fire burns on the palace, and fire from Heaven burns all night long on

the 15th." The emperor of Han Dynasty was very shocked. He called and asked Mr.

Eastern for advice. After pondering for a while, Mr. Eastern said, "I heard that

the God of Fire likes to eat Tang-Yuan (Sweet dumpling). Does Yuan-Xiao often

cook Tang-Yuan for you? On the 15th lunar day, let Yuan-Xiao make Tang-Yuan.

Your Majesty will take charge of the worshipping ceremony and you will give

an order to every house to prepare Tang-Yuan to worship the God of Fire at the

same time. Also, deliver another order to ask every house in the city to hang

red lantern and explode fire crackers. Lastly, everyone in the palace and people

outside the city should carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern

decoration and fireworks. If everything goes this way, the Jade Emperor would be

deceived.

Then everyone can avoid the fire accident." The emperor happily followed

the plan. Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city on the night of the 15th

lunar day. People were walking on the street. Fire crackers kept making lots of

noise. It looked like the entire city was on fire. Yuan-Xiaos parents went into

the palace to watch the lantern decorations, and Yuan-Xiao made a big lantern

and wrote her name on the lantern. They happily reunited together after her

parents called her name. Everybody was safe during the night. The emperor of Han

Dynasty had a new order that people should do the same thing every year. Since

Yuan-Xiao cooked the best Tan-Yuan, people called the day Yuan-Xiao

Festival.

Young people were chaperoned in the streets in hopes of finding love.

Matchmakers acted busily in hopes of pairing couples. The brightest lanterns

were symbolic of good luck and hope. As time has passed, the festival no longer

has such implications.

Those who do not carry lanterns often enjoy watching informal lantern

parades. In addition to eating tangyuan (simplified Chinese: 汤圆; traditional

Chinese: 湯圓; pinyin: tāngyuán), another popular activity at this festival is

guessing lantern riddles (which became part of the festival during the Tang

Dynasty), which often contain messages of good fortune, family reunion, abundant

harvest, prosperity and love.

As an outgoing junior school student, I have many interests, such as

watching movies, reading books, searching the Internet, playing computer games,

attending various sports. In the spare time, the one thing I like most is

watching movies, because it’s very convenient and interesting. Usually, movies

tell wonderful stories to us. They are humorous, sad, happy, intricate or

thought-provoking. You can get many from a good movie. Besides, my favorite

sport is basketball. Every time after I play basketball, I feel relaxed. I focus

on the game and I don’t let anything to influence on me. It’s really a wonderful

feeling.

A sunny Sunday， usually every day and sleep until the sun father-drying

bottoms climb to get up early and get up in red， wake up my mother。 Drowsily

mother slowly said: "Today what the section， from Why so early?" Little Red said

excitedly: "Mom， do not install confused， you said that today took me to the

park!"

Came to park， mother and son were two beautiful scenery attract: kids， some

kite-flying， and some shooting while playing ball red bumper cars， while also

playing slippery slides， played with enjoying themselves， was sweating

profusely。

Little Red hobbled down to holding mothers hand while walking while

singing。 Suddenly， a banana peel， a red block of the avenue， little red slip

banana skin reminded once again to see if the banana peel to her protest， then

do not fight a gas， the foot kicked the banana peel。 Mom saw， as if aware of her

mind like， and did not criticize her， she just pulled the banana skin side next

to her while saying with great earnestness: "I know you have been slipping on

banana peel， very angry， but you should From the perspective of others think

that if you somehow accidentally stepped on a banana peel how to do red listened

to， very ashamed， the banana peel thrown into the bin。

Little Red looked at the move， my mother smiled。

Yes ah! Would it not everyone should be protected?

Without exception,everyone has to make choices in life,whether they concern

school,career,or love.While some choices are simple,one cannot avoid the task of

making difficult decisions.

Choices are often directly related to ones happiness.University

students,for example,face a hard and crucial decision upon graduating.Many

students have difficulty deciding whether to continue studying or begin

developing a career.Every individual is different,and one must take the factors

of ones personal life into consideration.In addition to an awareness of

specific circumstances,however,making the right choice also depends on correct

appraisal of oneself.

In order to choose correctly,therefore,one must be both realistic and self

aware.Furthermore,once having made a decision,one should seriously accept and

pursue the path one has chosen,and strive towards the realization of ones goal

with spirit.

Pressure seems to be a natural part in our daily life in this competitive

society. Like it or not there is always pressure of one kind or another. And it

seems there is hardly any way to avoid it or get rid of it. Moreover, as the

pace of modern life continues to quicken, pressure seems to be on the increase

all the time.

Different people have different ideas about pressure. Some hold that

pressure is something very vicious. If there is too much of it, it will lead to

the decline of ones physical and mental health. So they are always complaining

about it or trying to flee from it. They think, only relaxation, the opposite of

pressure, is what we should desire. On the other hand, others argue that

pressure is not as bad as is often thought. In fact a certain amount of pressure

is essential to provide motivation and meaning to our life. It is pressure that

propels our progress and contributes to our success.

Personally, Im in favor of the latter idea. I believe that a little

pressure is certainly an important incentive in life. It is only when the

pressure gets out of control can it lead to poor performance and bad health.

Since it is impossible to avoid pressure, certainly there is no sense trying to

do so or complaining about it.

When memory began for me, my grandfather was past sixty-a great tall man

with thick hair becoming gray. He had black eyes and a straight nose which ended

in a slightly flattened tip. Once he explained seriously to me that he got that

flattened tip as a small child when he fell down and stepped on his nose.

The little marks of laughter at the corners of his eyes were the prodnct of

a kindly and humorous nature. The years of work which had bent his shoulders had

never dulled his humour nor his love of a joke.

Everywhere he went, "Gramp" made friends easily. At the end of half an hour

you felt you had known him all your life. I soon learned that he hated to give

orders , but that when he had to, he tried to make his orders sound like

suggestions.

One July morning, as he was leaving to go to the cornfield, he said :

"Edwin, you can pick up the potatoes in the field today if you want to do that.

" Then he drove away with his horses.

The day passed, and I did not have any desire to pick up potatoes. Evening

came and the potatoes were still in the field. Gramp, dusty and tired, led the

horses to get their drink.

"How many bags of potatoes were there?" Gramp inquired. "I dont know.

"

"How many potatoes did you pick up?"

"I didnt pick any. " "Not any! Why not?"

"You said I could pick, them up if I wanted to. You didnt say I had to.

"

In the next few minutes I learned a lesson I would not forget: when Gramp

said I could if I wanted to, he meant that I should want to.

Gram hated cruelty and injustice. The injustices of history, even those of

a thousand years before, angered her as much as the injustices of her own

day.

She also had a deep love of beauty. When she was almost seventy-five, and

had gone to live with one of her daughters, she spent a delightful morning

washing dishes because, as she said, the beautiful patterns on the dishes gave

her pleasure. The bird, the flowers, the clouds-all that was beautiful around

her- pleased her. She was like the father of the French painter, Millet, who

used to gather grass and show it to his son , saying , "See how beautif ul this

is ! "

In a pioneer society it is the harder qualities of mind and character that

are of value. The softer virtues are considered unnecessary. Men and women

struggling daily to earn a living are unable, even for a moment, to forget the

business of preserving their lives. Only unusual people, like my grandparents,

manage to keep the softer qualities in a world of daily struggle.

Such were the two people with whom I spent the months from June to

September in the wonderful days of summer and youth.