Maksim is a famous pianist in the world. However, his Journey to be a pianist isn't1.At the age of eight, Maksim's best friend's piano2his eye. From then on, he decided to be a pianist when he grew up.3his parents knew nothing about classical music, they still supported (支持) him. Later his mother sent him to4classes.5went well with Maksim until he was 15.Just then, the war6in his motherland. All his family had to stay and sleep in the basement(地下室) for three years. But Maksim didn't give up his dream. He7to play the piano from time to time.
Maksim entered his8competition in 1993. After his performance, the judge announced9as the winner. The10Maksim won not only the competition but also the audience.
No matter how successful he has been now, the joy of that first win remains fresh in his mind.
One afternoon, I toured an art museum while waiting for my husband to finish a business meeting. I was looking forward to a quiet view of the art works.
A young couple viewing the paintings ahead of me chatted, non-stop between, themselves. I watched them a moment and decided the wife was doing all the, talk. I admired the husband's patience for putting up with, her continuous talk. Distracted(分心的) by their noise, I moved on.
I met with them several times as I moved through the different rooms of art. Each time I heard her constant(持续不断的) burst of words. I moved away quickly.
I was standing at the counter of the museum gift shop making a purchase(购买) when the couple came near to the exit. Before they left, the man reached into his pocket and pulled out a white object. He extended (伸长) it into a long stick and then tapped his way into the coatroom to get his wife's jacket.
"He's a brave man," the clerk at the counter said. "Most of us would give up if we were blinded at such a young age. During his recovery(恢复) he made a promise that his life wouldn't change. So, as before, he and his wife come in whenever there's a new art show. "
"But what does he get out of the art?" I asked. "He can't see!"
"Can't see? You're wrong. He sees a lot, more than you or I do," the clerk said. "His wife describes each painting so he can see it in his head."
I learned something about patience, courage and love that day. I saw the patience of a young wife describing paintings to a person without sight and the courage of a husband who would not allow blindness to change his life. And I saw the love shared by two people as I watched this couple walk away hand in hand.
