Su Shi, a famous scholar of the Song Dynasty, was (high) thought of in poetry, prose and painting.
At the age of 21, his fresh prose style earned him the (recognize) of Ouyang Xiu. Xiu, a Chinese historian and politician of the Song dynasty, (say) that Su Shi's writings were outstanding, which made Su Shi instantly famous. However, before Su Shi's political dream was realized, he had to leave his position and return home.
With his dreams (cut) short, Su Shi started to focus on nature. In the spring of 1082, he took an outing with his friends. When sudden shower of rain made his companions rush for shelter, Su Shi burst into laughter as if completely unaware of the rain.
Along both sides of the path were growing trees, leaves made soft sounds as the rain-drops fell. With wet clothes, he walked along, (sing) a happy song. Then an idea struck him: "Shall go through this life in a (peace) mind, if only wearing a straw rain cape (蓑衣)."
Su Shi's optimistic and open-minded attitude life ensured his advancement despite political ups and downs. Expressed in his poetry and essay, which have been passed down through generations, such an attitude has truly inspired us (keep) a broad mind and persist in our struggle against all difficulties.
