Being Rich Is a Very External Quality
Many years ago when bisons ate grass peacefully where now overloaded highways are, there were people as well. They had no clothes, and only sometimes wrapped themselves in animals’ pelts, trying to keep warm up. They didn’t know buildings, but lived in woods or in caves.
To my mind, those people were better than we are. You see, they killed living beings as well, but they didn’t commit murders to get something more than they needed, they did it for some natural reasons, such as feeding or defending themselves. Just watch the news on TV, and you’ll see all the modern ways of earning money. Unfortunately, they are not always creative: people make fortunes telling lies to others (for example, try to listen attentively to our politicians or to see advertisements) and even killing other people. Not long ago the citizens of our country were frightened to death by the explosions which took place in Moscow. A great number of people died, others were shocked and nowadays don’t even leave their flats; and that is because of human greed. Can you even imagine how much the killers have received? I am sure they have provided their living for the rest of their lives, if they can have any lives at all after that.
Certainly, our life nowadays is very different from what it used to be; but our ancestors loved, cried and laughed like we do. And, of course, they were happier – the ancient people were not divided into rich and poor. They respected eldes – though it was too difficult to survive under such circumstances and manage to see one’s own grandchildren! The people realised how much experience every new year brings.
Perhaps, the ancient laws were cruel; but isn’t it more cruel, and even unnatural, to think that a person who has something expensive, rare, or uncommon, is better than a poor one? I believe that money is much more inconstant than love, respect and knowledge.
In my opinion, people should live giving love and happiness to one another, they should not think which one is cleverer or more beautiful, which one is richer or poorer, – a beggar deserves as much happiness as the owner of a huge factory. I suppose everybody should realise that living on earth we should do the most important thing – to keep our life and be proud of it.
By Alexandra Yartseva, MSPU 1st year student
Unforgettable Impression
St. Petersburg is a very odd city. Apparently it’s very quiet, its streets are as clean as if they have just been washed with comet, and you don’t dare even to think about leaving any rubbish there. But through all this quietness and order blows a wild, strong wind from the Neva – carrying St. Petersburg’s wild love for music of all styles and kinds.
Last year this loving city received Prodigy. Following custom the band was late for its own performance. A large crowd gathered near the concert hall. There were children and adults, all dressed like a new-year tree, or like bomzhy (бомжи). I hardly felt any sympathy for them, for they were mostly drunk and angry about the delay.
But at last a car painted in various colours, with “Prodigy” on the number-plates, appeared. There were four men in it. The crowd got excited; the children ran after the car.
The concert-hall was at last opened, but the police didn’t allow people with glass bottles in, therefore my friend had to drink his beer outdoors, not to miss any of the precious liquid. But that was not the worst, because another boy had a jar of sugar, that caused him several problems. I thought that the police would perhaps force him to eat all of his sugar.
The show began. Keith Flint in the middle of the stage inspired the crowd to shout: “Here is the end of the world.” Then I heard the music. The bass was striking; the sound could be physically felt.
The light excited people not less than the music (and that was promised on the tickets). People close to the stage moved so actively and fast, that I thought they wouldn’t sleep for several nights. The rhythm of both light and music made an unforgettable impression.
But why should we need music if it is possible to describe it with words?
By Julia Dmitrieva, 1st year student
Translated by Lena Kuzminykh
Find Your Own Way of Development
The competition is over. But interviews with your friends are still coming to the YES page. We enjoy reading them. All of your friends are really interesting and gifted people. That’s why we decided to continue publishing your materials. We look forward to hearing from you.
At first glance she is an ordinary girl. The only thing that differentiates her from other girls of our group is that she is an Armenian. But it is only at first glance. She isn’t like any of the girls I know. Everybody in our group could already guess whom I want to tell you about. Let me introduce Margarita Sargsyan.
I can say many words of praise about her, as she is a person of a strong and independent character, very modest, self-conscious, truthful, honest. It’s really so. But I hope you will see it yourself.
Me: Your nationality is Armenian. But you have been living in Russia for ten years. What do you think: are you Russian or Armenian?
Rita: When I am among Armenians, I feel that I am an Armenian. But when I am among Russians, I feel that I am a Russian.
Me: Are you pleased the way you were created by God and yourself?
Rita: Oh, of course not. I must still myself to be perfect. Although I am sure there is no perfect person. But as a matter of fact I don’t believe in God. I think man depends upon himself. But I am not an atheist either. Anyone is free to believe in God or not.
Me: Do you believe in your fate?
Rita: No, man is a creator of his own life.
Me: I know you are a very self-critical person. But which of your faults do you consider the worst?
Rita: In the first place, I try to be a realist, but I can’t say I am self-critical. And then I don’t know which fault I should begin with. Probably, the worst of them is my laziness. They say that the right thing is never to put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
Me: What would you never forgive?
Rita: I can never forgive treachery, when the person I trust deceives me. Nothing can excuse such an act. Never. I can’t stand lies either.
Me: They say, student days are the best ones. Do you feel it?
Rita: To tell the truth, I am not reluctant to study; but I feel my student days are the best ones in my life. I have been living a more interesting life than when I was a schoolgirl. I have more friends, I mix with more and more people, I learn so many different opinions on various matters, and it gives much food to my mind.
Me: What is your idea of “love at first sight,” and does eternal love exist, in your opinion, throughout a the whole life?
Rita: As for “love at first sight”, I think it doesn’t exist. Or, maybe, I can’t say definitely as I have never had such an experience. As for eternal love, it’s difficult for me to answer. I’ve read somewhere: Romeo and Juliet’s love became eternal because they died.
Me: What is love?
Rita: I share the view of Leo Tolstoy: to love means to live the life of the person who you are in love with.
Me: What do you think is the main reason for all the problems in our country?
Rita: I suppose, the main reason for all our troubles is that our country always tries to catch up with Europe or America. Just imagine, we have been doing it for almost two centuries. We were wrong. We must find and go our own way of development.
Me: What would you like to wish all the people in the world?
Rita: Let all their dreams come true.
By Masha Kondratieva, Buzuluk, Orenburg Region