Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that one day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista（远景）. So we go about our petty tasks, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life.

…

I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.

Now and them I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I was visited by a very good friends who had　just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed.. "Nothing in particular, " she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such reposes, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.

How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In the spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. I am delighted to have the cool waters of a brook rush though my open finger. To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. To me the pageant of seasons is a thrilling and unending drama, the action of which streams through my finger tips.

Excerpt from Story of My Life Helen Keller

但是,我们大多数人把生活认为是理所当然的.我们知道,某一天我们一定会死,但通常我们把那天想象在遥远的将来.当我们心宽体健时,死亡几乎是不可想象的,我们很少想到它.时日在无穷的展望中延展着,于是我们干着琐碎的事情,几乎意识不到我们对生活的倦怠态度.
恐怕,同倦的懒散也成为利用我们所有的本能和感觉的特点.只有聋子才珍惜听力,唯有瞎子才体会到能看见事物的种种幸福,这种结论特别适合于那些在成年阶段失去视力和听力的人们,而那些从没有遭受视觉或听觉损伤之苦的人却很少充分利用这些天赐的官能.他们模模糊糊地眼观八方,耳听各音,毫无重点,不会鉴赏,还是那相同的老话,对我们所有的官能不知珍惜,直至失去它,对我们的健康意识不到,直至生病时.
我常常想,如果每个人在他成年的早期有一段时间致瞎致聋,那会是一种幸事,黑暗会使他更珍惜视力,寂静会教导他享受声音.
我不时地询问过我的能看见东西的朋友们,以了解他们看到什么.最近,我的一个很好的朋友来看我,她刚从一片森林里散步许久回来,我问她看到了什么,她答道:"没什么特别的."如果我不是习惯了听到这种回答,我都可能不相信,因为很久以来我已确信这个情况:能看得见的人却看不到什么.
我独自一人,在林子里散步一小时之久而没有看到任何值得注意的东西,那怎么可能呢 我自己,一个不能看见东西的人,仅仅通过触觉,都发现许许多多令我有兴趣的东西.我感触到一片树叶的完美的对称性.我用手喜爱地抚摸过一株白桦那光潮的树皮,或一棵松树的粗糙树皮.春天,我摸着树干的枝条满怀希望地搜索着嫩芽,那是严冬的沉睡后,大自然苏醒的第一个迹象.我抚摸过花朵那令人愉快的天鹅绒般的质地,感觉到它那奇妙的卷绕,一些大自然奇迹向我展现了.有时,如果我很幸运,我把手轻轻地放在一棵小树上,还能感受到一只高声歌唱的小鸟的愉快颤抖,我十分快乐地让小溪涧的凉水穿过我张开的手指流淌过去.对我来说,一片茂密的地毯式的松针叶或松软而富弹性的草地比最豪华的波斯地毯更受欢迎.对我来说四季的壮观而华丽的展示是一部令人激动的,无穷尽的戏剧.这部戏剧的表演,通过我的手指尖端涌淌出来.
有时,由于渴望能看到这一切东西,我的内心在哭泣.如果说仅凭我的触觉我就能感受到这么多的愉快,那么凭视觉该有多少美丽的东西显露出来.然而,那些能看见的人明显地看得很少,充满世间的色彩和动作的景象被当成理所当然,或许,这是人性共有的特点;对我们具有的不怎么欣赏,而对我们不具有的却渴望得到.然而,这是一个极大的遗憾,在光明的世界里,视力的天赋仅仅作为一种方便之用,而没有作为增添生活美满的手段.

 From: http://www.hxen.com/englisharticle/mpmd/2009-05-12/76540.html