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D Read the following passage and ask the class to guess the disabilities
of the author.
When the moon rose, trembling with excitement, we got down into
the lake by means of a rope ladder. There we were, four alone with
ourselves and perfection of water and moonlight! The air was quite
cold; but the water was deliciously warm and our joy knew no bounds.
Then what a scramble we had up the ladder to see who could get to
her blanket first! We were up at dawn. As we came out on the deck
a storm of gulls burst from the island, veering and wheeling above
the lake, in whose golden arms day, like a mermaid, was combing
out the bright strands of her hair. At that hour there were great
flocks of gulls shaking the sleep out of their wings before diving
into the water for their breakfast. It was a magnificent picture
- worth lying awake to see, and we had slept lightly, so as not
to miss anything. Many years have passed since, but that happy night
in the old houseboat is as bright in my remembrance as the stars
which filled the sky.
(Midstream by Helen Keller, who was both blind and deaf,
published by Hodder & Stoughton, 1929.)
If you wish to read more about this remarkable woman the editors
recommend Helen and Teacher, by Joseph P. Lash, published by Alien
Lane, 1980.
Encourage the class to write in prose or verse what they have learnt
through this topic.
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