If You Give Me Three Days of Light: The Best Collection of Helen Keller

Chapter 40 Helen Keller Letters (8)
... I am spending the summer vacation with my dear parents, lovely little sister, little brother Phillips, and my respected teacher in a peaceful and comfortable environment. Our place is sunny and I feel very happy. I will read a book first, Then go for a walk, write and write, and then play with the children, the life is really pleasant...

Compared with last year, my speaking and lip-reading skills have improved significantly, and my friends are very happy for me.This has strengthened my confidence to continue to study in New York. I look forward to studying there for another year. In the past, I always felt that New York should not be regarded as my home, but since I made progress in my studies, I also met After making so many friends, I found myself wanting to return to the "metropolis", looking forward to the arrival of the new semester, and I will strive for more significant progress in the new year.Whenever I hear "Venice" mentioned, I seem to hear the sound of Mr. Hughton's pen gliding gently on his new book. It is a pleasant sound, and what it conveys is a deep feeling. How great it would be if I could read such a book!Please give my sincerest respects to Mr. Hughton, Mrs. Riggs and Mr. Warner.

PS: Please forgive me for typing this letter to you, dear Mrs Hughton.Since I got home, I have tried to write with a pencil on my "small writing machine" (an instrument for the blind, but not a typewriter), but I found that due to the heat, my sweaty wet hands easily put The letter paper is dirty, so I have to use the typewriter to write the letter...

Helen Keller
letter 53

To Mrs. William Shaw
New York, March 1895, 10

We left Holden on Friday night, arrived in New York on Saturday morning, and now we are in the metropolis again!Our arrival surprised friends who didn't think we'd be in New York until the end of the month.I have been resting on Saturday afternoon because I am so tired.I chatted with my classmates on Sunday, and now that I've had a break, I'm starting to write you a letter.Let me describe in detail what happened along the way.For some reason we had to change cars in Philadelphia, but it didn't affect our mood.

After breakfast, the teacher asked a railroad steward if there was a train to New York, and he said no, not for at least fifteen minutes.So we sat down and waited. After a while, the flight attendant came back and asked the teacher if we would like to leave now.The teacher said of course we wanted to go right away, and then the conductor led us across the tracks and put us on the train again.This way we avoided the crowds on the platform and we also visited the station before the train departed.Is this flight attendant very friendly to us?His love has made our journey to New York smooth and joyful.

In fact, this kind of thing happens often.On the road we walk, there will always be a kind person who will help us...

Our stay at Holden was both relaxing and enjoyable.Mr. Wade is still so kind!He has recently specially printed several books for me in the UK, such as "The Dying Old Man", "The Castle of the Strait of Otranto", "The King Without Land"...

Helen Keller
letter 54

To Miss Caroline Derby
New York, 1895: February 2

... We saw many old friends again, Mrs. Dodge, Mr. and Mrs. Hughton, Mrs. Riggs and her husband, and many famous people, including Miss Ellen Terry, Mr. Henry Owen and Stowe Mr Keton!This makes me and the teacher very happy, aren't we very lucky?
Miss Tally was very humorous, and when she kissed the teacher, she said: "I don't know if I should be happy to see you, because when I think of what you have done for this little girl, I feel so ashamed. "I think her looks should be as beautiful as an angel's, and, oh, her voice is so pure and melodious!We also met Mr and Mrs Terri, Miss Terri's brother and sister-in-law.We saw Miss Tally and Mr. Owen again at the performance of King Charles I, last Friday night.After the performance, they warmly invited me backstage, and let me touch their appearance on the stage with my hands.What a poor queen that was, so beautiful and so faithful!How noble and merciful the king is, his misfortunes are lamentable!And their performances are so realistic that we almost forget where we are, and we believe that everything in front of us is the recurrence of history.The last scene moved us deeply, and we were all in tears when the executioner's heart was so staggering that he could bear to pull the king from the arms of his beloved wife.

I've just finished "Ivanhoe," and it's a very moving story, but I must admit I don't like it very much.The only exception is the lovely Rebecca, who is both brave and generous—arguably the only character in the book I admire.Right now I'm reading the thrillingly wonderful Tales of Scottish History...

Helen Keller
letter 55

To Miss Caroline Derby
New York, March 1896, 4

…Same as last time I saw you, I am doing my studies as usual, except that I am already learning French, and the French teacher gives lessons three times a week.But because the French teacher doesn't understand the sign language alphabet, I can almost only listen to her lectures through lip reading, and we get along very well.I have read Molière's hilarious "Medical", which is a very good French comedy.People say I speak pretty good French, and German as well.In short, the French and the Germans can understand me, which multiplies my message.When it comes to voice training, I'm still plagued by the same old problems.

The desire to speak fluently seems out of reach!Sometimes I'm sure I've spotted an object ahead, only to lose sight of it in the blink of an eye, the road turns suddenly, and I'm groping around in the dark again!In any case, I believe that as long as I continue to pursue, I will eventually realize my ideal, and I will not retreat in spite of difficulties...

Helen Keller
letter 56

To Mr. John Heitz

Brewster, Massachusetts, July 1896, 7

... When I sit by the window and write to you, the breeze blowing on my face is soft and cool, and it is very pleasant.I like this book very much, and it is precisely because of this book that the friendship between me and my teacher has grown deeper and deeper.My feeling is that last year's hard work is over!The teacher also seems to be aware of the benefits of the change, as she has begun to return to herself.We can only achieve our happiness by relying on you, dear Mr. Hetz.Both the teacher and Mrs. Hopkins say you'll be here soon!We will make sure you feel at home.

Have you ever worked in Dr. Klute's institute?Mr. House may have explained our affairs to you in detail.I spent nine days in Philadelphia with my teacher.Be busy all day.We spoke to hundreds of people, including the venerable Dr. Bell, Mr. Benay from Calcutta, and Mr. Magnet from Paris, with whom I spoke in French.We also attend various conferences.There are many other well-known figures in attendance.We were looking forward to seeing you at the meeting, and we were very disappointed that you did not come.We miss you so much, really miss you!Our hearts have gone out to you, how happy we are with you!Of course you understand that it is difficult to express our thoughts just by relying on this poor letter!
On July 7th, I gave a "speech" and everyone said that I gave it very well and it was easy to understand.I told the members of the "Association" how painful it was for me not to be able to speak normally, and I strongly suggested that they give every deaf child a chance to learn to speak.After my little "speech" we went to a reception with over 8 people in attendance.Actually, I don't like such a large reception.There were so many people that we had to keep talking.However, because of this, we will make many new friends.

On Thursday night we left Philadelphia, and on Friday afternoon we arrived in Brewster.We missed the Cape Cod train on Friday morning, so we went to Provence to catch the steamer Longfellow.I'm happy with our choice, as it's fun and cool to walk by water, and Boston Harbor is always such a draw.

After leaving New York, we spent about three weeks in Boston.I don't need to tell you, we had a great time.We visited our good friends Mr and Mrs Chamberlin who have a lovely home in the country in Wrantham.There is a lovely lake near their house, and we swam a few times in the lake, and sometimes went boating in the lake, which was great fun. On June 6, Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin hosted a picnic for their literary friends.About forty people attended the party, and these guests were either writers or publishers.Also came our friend Mr. Alden, editor of Harpers.I was so happy to see him coming...

Helen Keller
letter 57

To Mr Charles Dudley Warner

Brewster, Massachusetts, July 1896, 9

...I have been meaning to write you a letter all summer long.There are so many things I want to tell you, but with so many happy things to do every moment, I don't even have time to express my thoughts in words, let alone write to you.I thought you might like to hear about our study plans for next year, or about our seaside holidays, the days of pleasant idleness slipping away so quickly.I wondered what the lost opportunity would end up being.Maybe when we throw them away, a guardian angel around us will collect them, and at some beautiful moment in the future - when we grow wiser and learn to use them properly - the angel will take them again Give it back to us.However, having said that, I still can't express the thoughts accumulated in my head into words.

But at this moment, my heart is so full of sadness that I have no time to think about the joy this summer has brought me.Last Saturday my father passed away at his home in Tuscumbia, he passed away, unfortunately I was not home at the time.O my beloved father!Oh dear friend, I really can't bear this grief...

Helen Keller
letter 58

Helen Keller entered Cambridge Women's College on October 10, and the dean of the college was Mr. Arthur Gilman.The "examination" referred to in this letter is nothing more than an admissions test, with questions drawn from past Harvard exams.And Helen had fully prepared for some of the subjects in order to be able to enter Radcliffe College, and this time it came in handy.

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
37 Concord Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 1896, 10

...I know you want to hear my impressions of the school.So I got up early this morning so I could write you a few lines.I really hope you can come here to see for yourself, the campus is beautiful!There are about a hundred girls here, and it makes me so happy to be around them.I am happy to tell you that I have successfully passed the entrance examination to enter Harvard

exams, which include English, German, French, Greek and Roman History.I am very satisfied to pass the exam.This year is going to be a very busy one for me and the teachers.I am studying arithmetic, English literature, English history, German, Latin and advanced geography.I had to read a great deal of assigned books, but only a few books were printed in embossed letters.The poor teacher had to spell out everything in the book for me, which was a very difficult job.

If you see Mr. Howells, please tell him for me that we are staying at his house now...

Helen Keller
letter 59

To Mrs. William Shaw
37 Concord Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 1896, 12

…Because none of the textbooks I used were printed in embossed letters, and I had to spell every word in the book by hand, so the preparation took me a long time.And I can't read so many books with my own strength alone. It's the teacher who keeps helping me by my side, but the teacher encounters more difficulties than me. In order to help me, she is not good at all. Eyes will be more tired, which worries me a lot.Sometimes you do get the feeling that we put in more work than we get.

But I don't care about these, because the happiness I enjoy from studying is beyond words.I'm studying Latin, German, arithmetic, and British history.I like all these subjects except arithmetic.I'm afraid I'm not very math-savvy because my numbers keep finding ways to go to the wrong places...

Helen Keller
letter sixty
Helen Keller and Miss Sullivan returned to Cambridge College at the end of September, where they stayed until early December.Later, Mrs. Keller picked up Helen Keller and her sister Mildred from school because of Mr. Gilman's interference.Helen Keller and Miss Sullivan came to Ransome, where they lived under a man named Merton S.Keith's enthusiastic and experienced teachers are the only way to continue learning.

To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
Ransome, September 1898, 2

...Not long after parting from you, I resumed my studies.The horrific experience I had suffered a month ago dissipated like a dream.I can't describe to you how happy I am now, the air in the countryside is so fresh, I enjoy the tranquility and freedom very much!If my family allows, I think I can study all day now without feeling tired at all.

Although Algebra and Geometry were my headaches and made me feel a bit difficult, I enjoyed all knowledge, especially Greek.Come to think of it, I'm wrapping up my grammar studies soon!Then I will learn "Iliad", I will soon be able to read the legends of Achilles, Odysseus, Andromache and Athena, what an exciting thing.And these "old friends" of mine can finally tell history in their own language!Because I think Greek is the most beautiful language I know.For if the violin is the most beautiful instrument, the Greek language is the violin of the human mind.

This month we went on an exciting sledding ride.There is a steep hill on the north shore of the lake, where we go sledding for an hour or so every morning before class.Somebody fixed the sledge on the top of the slope, and when we were seated, the sledge pulled us straight down, one after another we had to go over a hill, break through a snow bank, and then slide across a frozen lake, The speed is really amazing...

Helen Keller
letter 61
To Mrs Lawrence Hughton
Ransome, September 1898, 5

…Every day is full and busy, but I bravely face the heavy schoolwork, because I hope to finish the courses as soon as possible, so that I can spend the summer vacation happily.Yesterday, I solved three geometry problems without any help.You must be delighted to hear this news. Mr. Keith and the teacher are very encouraged by my achievements. I must admit that I am also a little proud. Now I feel as if I can make a difference in mathematics. Although I still don't get it - the line joining the midpoints of each side of an equilateral triangle is equal - is it that important to know?This kind of knowledge does not make life sweeter or more enjoyable, but words are different. When we learn a new word, we get a key to unlock unknown treasures and see a different world. You Say is it...

Helen Keller
letter 62

To Mr Charles Dudley Warner

Ransome, Massachusetts, June 1898, 6

Your letter about bicycles was put on hold by me for a week without reply.Would you take me for someone who isn't interested in tandem bikes, but I want to say, God decides!I definitely haven't forgotten about the tandem bike thing!It's actually because I've been busy with schoolwork ever since we got back from New York.I don't have time to think about anything else, even the joy of having a bike!Right now, I'm trying to finish my homework for the long summer vacation.When I think of this, I am glad that I can leave the books aside for the time being.Before long, the sun, the flowers, and the beauty of the big lake outside my door will be alluring enough to lead me away from Greek and math classes!But I must add that daisies and buttercups, blooming so beautifully, I believe, are as indifferent to geometry as I am in our lives.

(End of this chapter)