In this age of Internet chat, videogames and reality
television, there is no shortage of mindless activities to keep a child
occupied. Yet, despite the competition, my 8-year-old daughter Rebecca wants to
spend her leisure time writing short stories. She wants to enter one of her
stories into a writing contest, a competition she won last year.
As a writer
I know about winning contests, and about losing them. I know what it is like to
work hard on a story only to receive a rejection slip from the publisher. I
also know the pressures of trying to live up to a reputation created by
previous victories. What if she doesn’t win the contest again? That’s the
strange thing about being a parent. So many of our own past scars and dashed
hopes can surface.
A revelation
(启示) came last week when I asked her, “Don’t
you want to win again?” “No,” she replied, “I just want to tell the story of an
angel going to first grade.”
I had just
spent weeks correcting her stories as she spontaneously (自发地) told them. Telling myself that I was merely an
experienced writer guiding the young writer across the hall, I offered
suggestions for characters, conflicts and endings for her tales. The story
about a fearful angel starting first grade was quickly “guided” by me into the
tale of a little girl with a wild imagination taking her first music lesson. I
had turned her contest into my contest without even realizing it.
Staying back
and giving kids space to grow is not as easy as it looks. Because I know very
little about farm animals who use tools or angels who go to first grade, I had
to accept the fact that I was co-opting (借用) my
daughter’s experience.
While
stepping back was difficult for me, it was certainly a good first step that I
will quickly follow with more steps, putting myself far enough away to give her
room but close enough to help if asked. All the while I will be reminding
myself that children need room to experiment, grow and find their own voices.
1.What did the author say about her own writing
experience?
A.She was
constantly under pressure of writing more.
B.Most of her
stories had been rejected by publishers.
C.Her way to
success was full of pains and frustrations.
D.She did not
quite live up to her reputation as a writer.
2. Why did Rebecca want to enter this year’s writing
contest?
A.She wanted to
share her stories with readers.
B.She had won a
prize in the previous contest.
C.She was sure
of winning with her mother’s help.
D.She believed
she possessed real talent for writing.
3. The author took great pains to refine her
daughter’s stories because ________.
A.she wanted to
help Rebecca realize her dream of becoming a writer
B.she believed
she had the knowledge and experience to offer guidance
C.she did not
want to disappoint Rebecca who needed her help so much
D.she was
afraid Rebecca’s imagination might run wild while writing
4. What’s the author’s advice for parents?
A.Children
should be given every chance to voice their opinions.
B.Children
should be allowed freedom to grow through experience.
C.Parents
should keep an eye on the activities their kids engage in.
D.A writing
career, though attractive, is not for every child to pursue.