I did not know what to say. The gate was now closed. 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 by high buildings; from each floor we were overlooked by a long balcony roofed in wood.
"This is your new home, "said the woman.
"There are mothers and fathers here, too. Everything that is enjoyable and beneficial is here. So dry your tears and face life joyfully. "
Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. From the first moments I made many friends and fell in love with many girls. I had never imagined school would have this rich variety of experiences.
这时我不知道该说些什么了,突然,大门关上了。立刻就有一些孩子哭了出来。接着铃响了,一个女人走了过来,她身后跟着一群男人。男人们开始把我们编成队列。我们在高楼间的庭院里被排出复杂的队形,那会我可以望见每层楼都有木顶的阳台。
“这儿就是你们的新家 !”那个女人这么说道:“这里一样也有家人和父母,所有有益处和舒适的东西都在这儿。所以,擦干你的眼泪准备享受这里幸福的生活吧。”
的确如此,看来我的疑虑和痛苦是毫无根据的。从第一刻起,我就认识了许许多多的新朋友,我与许许多多女孩坠入爱河。我从没想到学校生活会是如此多姿多彩。
We played all sorts of games. In the music room we sang 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 numbers, and we were told the story of the Creator of the universe. We ate delicious food, took a little nap, and woke up to go on with friendship and love, playing and learning.
Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. We had to be observant and patient. It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give rise to fighting. And while the lady would sometimes smile, she would often yell and scold. Even more frequently she would resort to physical punishment.
In addition, the time for changing one' s mind was over and gone and there was no question of ever returning to the paradise of home. Nothing lay ahead of us but exertion, struggle, and perseverance. Those who were able took advantage of the opportunities for success and happiness that presented themselves.
我们玩转了各式的游戏,在音乐教室里唱起了第一首歌,还第一次感触了文学的魅力。我们从地球仪上认识了神奇的不同大陆和迥异的国度。我们学习了数学,还听到了造物主的传说。在学校里,我们品尝了美味的食物,睡了那么香甜的午觉。然后又从睡梦中新来去继续我们的友谊、爱情、玩乐和学习。
当然了。我们的旅程也不是那么甜美而惬意。我们得遵纪和耐心,因为这一切也不总是游戏人生和无所事事。事实上到处都伴随着竞争,竞争带来了伤痛和仇恨,抑或助长了那些争斗,然而那位女士出现时却总是以微笑替代鼓励或斥责,即便她可更常的诉诸体罚。
最后,已经不再有什么能改变我们的想法了,我们甚至不会去想念那温暖如天堂般的家。在我们的脑海里,只剩下了努力,奋斗,锲而不舍。为的是在机会出现时能抓住属于自己的幸福与成功。