Everyone wants to be respected. But it is more important that we know how to respect others. I had an experience that taught me how to respect others.
One afternoon, I walked along on a busy street with a bottle of beverage in my hand with my friend. We were discussing the film we had just watched. Unwittingly, an old man who wore dirty clothing, with a sack on his back, appeared in front of us. I immediately thought that the poor man earned his living by collecting empty cans, bottles and tins. When he drew near, I noticed that he looked at me and peeked at my bottle. At that time, I hadn't finished my beverage, and I knew that he wanted my bottle for selling. 'I must help this old man, because he is poorer than many people.' I said to my friend. So I gave him several coins instead of the bottle.
But it seemed like I did a wrong thing.
He stared at me for a few seconds and then handed me back the coins. I was puzzled. Then I asked, 'Why not? Isn't that what you want?' 'I'm mot a beggar." he said very seriously, word by word.
At that time, I felt so sorry and embarrassed. I wanted to help him, but at last I treated him as a beggar but not an ordinary person. Thus, I hurt him. 'What should I do?' I asked myself. In the next second, I drank up the beverage as fast as I could and handed him the empty bottle. This time, he gave me a sincere smile with gratitude in his eyes. I didn't only feel touched, but I also learned a good lesson.
The man is poor in material life, but still very respectable as a human being, as he earns his own living with his own hands. I'm so proud of him.
What is 'life'? Furthermore, what is 'death'? I don't have an answer for myself until I attended the very first funeral in my life. It gave me a clear picture of 'life' and death to me. It was so clear that no matter how long it passed. I still can't put it aside. It happened a long time ago, I think I was only six or seven at that time.
A place filled with black suits and tears, everything was monochrome and dull. To be frank, I really enjoyed being in an atmosphere like this. Everything was silent and peaceful. I didn't understand why people around me have to cry. 'It was just someone dying.' I thought to myself. Death didn't mean so much to me at that time. My parents were afraid that I couldn't face the death of that person so they told me that they would only let me look at that person's face once more. I think that is where my world started to change.
I walked towards the coffin where that person laid with my parents beside me. I remembered who this person was. He was my teacher's husband, a good church member of mine. His skin was as white as snow. He laid there as he was just sleeping. I didn't feel sad or negative. It was peace that filled my heart. I never thought that 'death' and 'peace' could be bonded together. I had read a story about life before. It said that before a person is born, we will make three wishes with God. We won't remember what wishes we made, but we will use our lives to search for and accomplish them. I think this is also the answer to 'life' and 'death.'
'Life' is the time we work and fight for the best. 'Death' is the time for us to rest. This is the reason why people look so calm when they die.
That funeral was really unforgettable. It wasn't because it was scary but it was because it taught me a very precious lesson which changed my life deeply.
My unforgettable experience happened when I was six years old. That was nine years ago. In my impression, I was extremely silly at the moment. I was dragged out of the cold water in Stanley. What recalled my memories back is the matter I am going to write below.
It was a great sunny day and it was also a great day for families to travel. My famiy and my grandma went to Stanley to visit the marvellous Stanley Bazaar. Not until evening, we were still shopping for some cheap goods like clothes and postcards, etc. After that, we went for the beach in order to enjoy the beautiful, fascinating view of sunset which shone her illuminating light on the seashore. As soon as I got there, excitement filled my heart and I hurried to the sea, where I found a peaceful and calming place.
When I sank my big, fat toes into the blistering water, I was wondering. 'Now that I am in water, I ought to show my swimming skills to grandma. She will be pleased to find my skills making progress so rapidly.' Then, without hesitation, I dropped myself into the water and began to swim even with my trousers on! Astonished to my behaviour, my parents and grandma shouted at me and commanded me to get back on shore immediately. Regrettably, I had not heard them since I was so determined to swim.
After swimming for some minutes, I felt tired and started to swim back to the beach. But then, the water around me vibrating and the waves were so huge that they could have covered me easily. Dreaded with fear and horror, I prayed that I could cope with the situation. Rarely a few minutes later, to my surprise, I saw a fin above water and I recognised it as a shark once. I saw the fin waving like a black flag. I was surrounded by the monstrous beast! Even though I swam with my best hope, it was useless and the situation was becoming worse and worse. Suddenly, I felt something around my body and I struggled, imagining that the shark would have swallowed me. It was not until I got on shore I discovered that a panting lifeguard saved me from being killed. According to my mother, she was so desperate to find me she asked the lifeguard a favour to save me. Indeed, I was rescued. After being calmed down by my grandma, I gave the lifeguard my sincerest thanks when my parents scolded me severely.
Since then, I would never, ever dare to swim in the sea. I had learnt to listen to my parents' advice seriously. What's more, I also learnt to deal with difficulties calmly. This was the most important thing that I have ever learnt.
Consequently, what made this experience unforgettabe is that my parents has scolded me the first time. I believe I in my parents' opinion am the most precious person for them to protect from harm at all costs.