晨读英语美文 If I Were a Boy Again

If I Were a Boy Again

[00:08.57]If I were a boy again, 

[00:12.31]I would practice perseverance often, 

[00:15.25]and never give up a thing because it was hard or inconvenient. 

[00:19.95]If we want light, 

[00:22.27]we must conquer darkness.

[00:24.02]If I were to live my life over again, 

[00:28.39]I would pay more attention to the cultivation of the memory. 

[00:32.32]I would strengthen that faculty by every possible means, 

[00:36.92]and on every possible occasion. 

[00:39.20]It takes a little hard work at first to remember things accurately; 

[00:43.92]but memory soon helps itself, 

[00:46.75]and gives very little trouble. 

[00:48.85]It only needs early cultivation to become a power.

[00:52.56]If I were a boy again, 

[00:55.72]I would look on the cheerful side. 

[00:58.13]Life is very much like a mirror if you smile upon it, 

[01:02.84]it smiles back upon you; 

[01:04.71]but if you frown and look doubtful on it, 

[01:08.31]you will get a similar look in return.

[01:10.81]Inner sunshine warms not only the heart of the owner, 

[01:14.77]but of all that come in contact with it. 

[01:17.27]Who shuts love out, in turn shall be shut from love.

[01:21.86]If I were a boy again, 

[01:25.38]I would school myself to say No often. 

[01:28.87]I might write pages on the importance of learning very early in life 

[01:34.12]to gain that point where a young boy can stand erect, 

[01:37.83]and decline doing an unworthy act because it is unworthy.

[01:41.76]If I were a boy again, 

[01:45.94]I would demand of myself more courtesy towards my companions and friends, 

[01:50.84]and indeed towards strangers as well. 

[01:53.59]The smallest courtesies along the rough roads of life 

[01:57.73]are like the little birds that sing to us all winter long, 

[02:01.23]and make that season of ice and snow more endurable.

[02:04.63]Finally, instead of trying hard to be happy, 

[02:09.77]as if that were the sole purpose of life, 

[02:12.28]I would, if I were a boy again, 

[02:15.36]try still harder to make others happy.