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Upholding Dignity in Adversity |
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It was a story from a long time ago. The protagonist of the story was
studying in college at the time. During the era of educated youth being sent
to the countryside, he was inevitably sent to the northeast by the
relentless wheels of fate.
Life in the northeast was extremely harsh, something that ordinary people
couldn't even imagine. The weather was painfully cold, there were not enough
warm clothes, and there was little to eat. They had to make do with eating
tree bark and roots, and they couldn't even dare to sleep at night. Firstly,
because there were many wild beasts in the area, and secondly, because they
feared that once they fell asleep, they would never wake up again.
In such circumstances, it was easy for people to despair and even regress to
the most primitive state of humanity. Many people resorted to stealing and
robbing, seizing anything they could eat or wear. But he, in silence,
nibbled on his tree bark and roots, sucking on the snowballs in his hands.
In the end, he managed to survive and return to the city.
When asked by others many years later why he didn't act like everyone else
at the time, he replied, "I always remembered that I was someone who had
read books. Those piles and piles of books were constantly swirling before
my eyes. They prevented me from crossing that last moral boundary. They
constantly reminded me that I was a human being, not a beast."
This story left me speechless for a long time. To think that it was the
books he had read that enabled him to maintain dignity in the most difficult
circumstances! I don't know what kind of power drove him to make such a
choice. He was not ignorant, and yet his choice might as well have been
sacrificing his own life!
Perhaps, sometimes, books are nothing. They are not sunlight, air, bread,
nutrition, wisdom, or courage... They only provide dignity and the strength
to persevere. With their distant and enduring power, they shape healthy and
complete souls.
I have always believed that those who have sailed through the sea of books
will not completely extinguish their conscience. Books are like spirits;
they always leave something that moves and touches us. Unconsciously, they
imbue us with justice and kindness, and they allow us to approach others
with sincerity and trust.
Isn't that right? Why did Bing Xin, in her old age, still retain that
childlike innocence? Why was Sanmao still capable of offering her genuine
heart after traveling through countless rivers and mountains? The influence
of books on people is indelible. Even if you travel to the ends of the
earth, even if you experience countless vicissitudes, it will always remain
deep within your soul.
Harvard University has a motto: "You cannot choose your natural homeland,
but you can choose the homeland of your soul." Accompanied by books, let
your soul be sublimated through countless baptisms. Many years later, you
will discover how familiar and genuine your soul's homeland is, and how
beautiful and pure your life is! |
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Answer |
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This is a story set in a bygone era, where the protagonist, a college
student, is sent to the harsh conditions of the northeast during the time of
educated youth being sent to the countryside. While others resorted to theft
and desperation, he silently endured the extreme cold and scarcity of food
by consuming tree bark and snowballs. When asked why he didn't follow the
same path as others, he credited his ability to maintain dignity and
humanity to the books he had read. The story highlights the power of books
to shape and preserve one's character, providing strength, dignity, and a
moral compass in the face of adversity. It suggests that books have an
enduring impact on individuals, instilling justice, kindness, and trust, and
transforming souls. It encourages the reader to choose books as companions
for their journey through life, as they can nurture a beautiful and pure
existence. |
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