Children

Children
by Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said. Speak to us of Children.
And he said:

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls, For their souls dwell in the house of to-morrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the Archer’s hand be for gladness; For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

Four Freedoms

Four Freedoms
by Franklin D Roosevelt (1882-1945)

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of speech and expression — everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way — everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from want – which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peace time life for its inhabitants — everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from fear – which, translated into world terms, means a world wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor — anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation.

That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called new order of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.

To that new order we oppose the greater conception — the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear.

Since the beginning of our American history we have been engaged in change — in a perpetual peaceful revolution — a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly adjusting itself to changing conditions — without the concentration camp or the quicklime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society.

This nation has placed its destiny in the hands and heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women, and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights or keep them. Our strength is in our unity of purpose.

To that high concept there can be no end save victory.

Dialogue:Furniture

Furniture

Can I put this chair near the table?
Yes, After you finish it, could you help me with the sofa?
Wait a minute. Paul is waiting for me. He has to lift the refrigerator.
Did you see the air conditioner in the truck?
Yes, it’s next to the desk, near the double bed.
The bed is in the bedroom, and the armchair is in the living room.
The computer is in the study room, and the oven is in the kitchen. Perfect!
Do you need some help to paste up the wallpaper?
Yes, I also have to paint the hall.
I almost forgot. Can you ask Peter to clean the windows and mirrors?
I will hang a picture on the wall in a second.
The piano is too heavy! Can somebody help us?
I have to close the door; otherwise the mosquitoes will come in.
There is a lot of dust in the cupboard. I cannot put the plates in it.
Put them in the sink. I will wash everything later.

Dialogue:House

House

How many rooms are there in your house?
There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two study rooms, one living room and one kitchen.
Who is in the living room?
Father is in the living room watching television.
Where is Mother then?
She is in the study room helping our younger brother do a puzzle.
Where is the bathroom? I want to wash my hands.
Your big sister went out to buy the newspaper.
What is going on in the kitchen?
Lily and her cousin are baking a cake.
I hear a car outside.
Yes, it is Uncle Bobby and his two daughters.
Maybe later Aunt Judy and her son will join us.
Do you have a guest room? Where are they going to sleep?
The adults will sleep in the study room, and the children will camp outside.

Dialogue:School

School

Every day, we go to school to study.
To write in my notebook, I need my pen, pencil and eraser.
—What grade are you in? —I am in primary school, Grade Two.
What is the most difficult subject?
It is mathematics of course!
Sophia likes English class, science and physical education.
But Lucy prefers art, history, Chinese and music.
—Do you like to go to school? —I like it very much. It is full of surprises!
What is your brother’s homework today?
He has chemistry and computer homework.
When is your graduation?
It will be next year. I am still in the second year of junior high school.
After that it will be senior high school and then the university.
What kind of work do you want to do?
I want to be an archaeologist, a historian, a philosopher, a writer or a lawyer.

Dialogue:Time and Place

Time and Place

What time is it?
It is twelve o’clock.
Hurry up! It is time to eat lunch.
Where do you and your best friend live?
I live in Europe, and my best friend lives in Taiwan.
Your aunt has traveled a lot. Where has she been?
My aunt has been to South America, the United States, Russia and Australia.
I have to go to the supermarket. Do you want to come with me?
Yesterday, she went to the movie theater, the hospital and the park.
He often goes to the library, the stadium, the tea shop and the restaurant.
What were you doing at 7:30 p.m., Monday?
I was finishing my homework and getting ready to take a bath.
I always wake up at eight o’clock and then go to the kitchen to eat breakfast.
—When is your birthday? —On the ninth of June, nineteen eighty-six.
—Where were you born? —I was born in New Zealand.

Dialogue:Animals

Animals

Where do lions, giraffes and zebras live?
Well, I think they live in Africa.
What about penguins, polar bears, and seals?
Those animals live in cold places like the North Pole.
What kind of animals can you find in the desert?
There are camels, snakes, lizards, scorpions…
And in the rain forest?
There are many species of mammals, reptiles, fish, insects and birds in the rain forest.
I also know koala, beaver, alligator, deer, cockroach and spider.
The sea is also full of life.
For example, tuna, whales, dolphins, salmon, jellyfish, shrimp, turtles, etc.
But my favorite animals are dogs and cats.
Do you also like farm animals, like horses, cows, hens and pigs?
For sure! The cutest is the little lamb.
—And you, what kind of pet do you have at home? —I have a mouse.

Dialogue:Plants

Plants

I like flowers, because they smell good and are beautiful.
In my garden, I have irises, lilies, daisies and carnations.
The perfume of the jasmine reminds me of your tender eyes.
At dawn, the butterflies fly around the tulips and the lilacs.
At dusk, the bees are still bouncing from the camellias to the lotus.
—How far can a dandelion seed go? —As far as the wind can blow.
It is said that red roses are for love and that white roses are for innocence.
Do you see the squirrel in the pine on your left?
Yes. I also see two morning-glories in the cedar in front of you.
The sounds of the wind in the bamboo make some people afraid.
Strange! I find it as pleasing as the willow tree’s song.
Are we going to the botanical garden today?
Yes. I am eager to see the maple trees, the palm trees, and the oak trees.
There is something big and yellow in your backyard!
What? Ho! Those are my sunflowers. They are vigorous this year.

Dialogue:Body and Sickness

Body and Sickness

My three classmates had headache and fever. They were sick.
The doctor said that they caught a cold. They have to take a rest.
That is why they were staying in the bed while watching the Chinese opera on TV.
—You are suffering from a lung infection, —Is it severe?
The worst is the medication. My hands, feet, legs, arms and head are OK.
Be careful with the knife! Oh, I knew it. See, you just cut yourself!
You are wearing glasses. Are your eyes often sore?
Yes. Somebody told me that the position of my neck and back are bad.
The elephant’s nose can smell very subtle odors; it is very sensitive.
So are its ears and tongue.
Does this patient have to take pills to cure his disease?
No need to. This is not a disease. He is injured.
When sorrow comes upon my mind, I never feel hungry.
When I feel pain, I like to recite poems. It makes my heart peaceful.
Michael has another way. He eats until his stomach is full.

Dialogue:Fruit and Food

Fruit and Food

To make a fruit salad, you have to prepare apples, oranges, pineapples and mangos.
Pear, peach, cherry and kiwi are all tasty fruits.
My monkey likes to eat fruits, especially bananas, watermelons, grapes and tangerines.
Ah! The caterpillar will eat all my carrots, cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes.
You should put some dishwashing soap on the leaves; it will protect them.
In my sandwich, I want onion, ham, cheese, red pepper and spinach.
Would you also like some broccoli, cauliflower, corn or cabbage?
No, thanks, It will be fine that way.
For a birthday party, usually we prepare some seafood and an ice cream cake.
Really? I think you also have some oat and honey cookies with green tea.
That’s true, but the cake was so delicious that I forgot about the rest.
I love the Chinese dumplings your uncle Sam made! May I have more?
Would you pass the milk, please?
My coffee will taste better with it.
With pleasure. Would you also like some sugar?
I would rather like some salt to put in my soup.