An Artist ( Par 2: A short novel I wrote not long ago...) Quite soon, the clock stroke 12, and after a quick lunch, we all made it to the press conference. There we caught the sight of an almost sea-like crowd of journalists, experts, they all were anxiously waiting for the coming of Steven Holmes, the legendary artist of The Bloodstain. After an agonizing 20 minutes, though not long, the conference got kicked start when Steven appeared among a warm cheer, and finally after another agonizing hour , it came to the session for taking questions from journalists . Perhaps due to a small news agency as we were, we did not get a single chance to raise questions to Steven, but we made a careful log of everything we heard, saw and felt. A correspondent from the National Art Magazine asked,”We all acknowledge The Bloodstain as a masterpiece, could you tell us, Mr. Holmes, by what special materials did you paint The Bloodstain, since the whole depiction resembles so vividly a real stain of blood?” “Yes, most people said that...”Steven cleared his throat and proceeded, “but this time I would like to hold back a little bit first, as regard to the painting materials and the theme, I will disclose everything until the experts make their claims after thorough study on it, they possess their excellent expertise, everyone knows that. ” “What? After through study? “murmured Thompson, “It’s the first time he seem to make us guess about his great work!” Until this moment, even Jenny appeared to become a fan of impressionism paintings and let out a cry, “Wow, that’s what makes him an artist, look at his artistic way of taking questions! ” Then, the whole sea of attendants went into anther unbearable waiting, until after four hours in the evening, the experts announced that they finally finished their investigation and had drawn in-depth analysis of The Bloodstain. Taking out a thick notebook, the representative of the experts team began to elaborate on their analysis, “We have conducted thorough chemical study on The Bloodstain, it’s painted by the use of traditional painting ink from China, a kind of ink used by our artist Steven to reveal his reflections upon his unforgettable travel in China five years ago. Accordingly, through the study by the artists team, the theme of The Bloodstain may very probably be....”

An Artist ( Par 1: A short novel I wrote not long ago...) An Artist As any usual morning as it was, the alarm clock rang, after doing the washup, I grabbed my brief case, snatched a sandwich from my wife’s hands, kissed her goodbye and rushed downstairs to catch the earliest bus. Shortly after half of an hour’s ride, I dragged my exhausted body like a worm crawling into a den, finally I stepped into my office. The feeling of morning fatigue was not replaced in me until a lively chat among my fellow colleagues was sparkled by a journal article entitled ”Big Bloodstain, Bigger Art”. “Ah, look, what impressionism! A new piece by Steven Holmes!”said with a musical excitement by Thompson, the editor of our news agency. “Who’s Steven ? Don’t tell me it’s a sketch by my son’s deskmate, he’s named Steven, too!” his sectary Jenny replied confusedly. “Come on, Jenny, you know zero about art? He’s the best renowned impressionism painter all over Europe, he is definitely a real artist!” Thompson raised his voice as if he was addressing a crowd of art illiterates. Jenny was still puzzled, “But it’s only a bloodstain on a white paper! How can that be artistic?” “That’s what makes art! Since... well, go back to your work, I need the outline featuring the former President, by nine o’clock!” The editor sighed. I knew who is Steven Holmes, he was exactly who Thompson described as, a genuinely famous impressionist and exceptional painter, even worldwide, his name resembled a synonym of the word “art”. My eyes fell upon the photo of Steven’s new work over which they were chatting, it bore the title”The Bloodstain”, and under it showed, accordingly, a snow-white paper portraying a red stain of blood. “What does this mean?” I thought to myself but had to give up the effort , because though I knew a couple of names of artists, I admitted I was among the art illiterates. Thereupon, Thompson received an email and called out cheerfully, “Bravo! Sure enough, they are going to hold a press conference concerning that The Bloodstain, and we are invited!” he proceeded with an exaltation, “And it’s in this afternoon, let’s enjoy an adventure!” The invitation of such kind was rare to this small news agency, upon hearing the editor’s announcement, even I, a fatigued worm, became cheered up.

What we cannot afford to lose is hope (A speech I wrote yesterday) Honorable judges, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. My topic tonight is what we cannot afford to lose is hope. When you are still a baby learning how to call your parents ‘Mommy and Daddy’, can you accept the loss of both your eyesight and hearing? Definitely no. But that is the case of Helen Keller, the outstanding American writer and educator. When you reach the age of a young man and have a bright future ahead to see, can you accept the fact of becoming totally paralyzed and even not being able to speak? Definitely no. But that is the case of Steven Hawking, one of the most remarkable scientists ever in history. When you are about to marry someone and expect to have a happiest wedding, can you accept the dreadful news that your beloved fiancée died overnight? Definitely no. But that is the case of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America. Therefore, Helen Keller, Steven Hawking and Abraham Lincoln are just among those bravest people who lose something that the majority of us cannot afford to lose, but there is something that they never lose, it is something that most of us may easily lose especially in times of adversity and difficulty. It is something called hope. Life is a game, sometimes we win, other times we lose. When you lose a job, don’t lose hope, go out there and open up a new world of opportunity; When you lose an exam, don’t lose hope, make sure you never fall down in the same place; when you lose your reputation, don’t lose hope, use your integrity and sincerity to prove yourself; when you lose almost all your fortunes, don’t lose hope, you still have your brain and hands to earn them back; when you lose your way in a desert island, don’t lose hope, find the guiding star at the night sky and you will find the way out. In one sentence, never lose hope! We can afford to lose almost everything, but we cannot afford to lose one thing, and that is something we call, HOPE! Thank you very much!