Qu Qiubai

Childhood "is a lyrical prose created by Qu Qiubai. Although this work is only over 500 words long, its title is lofty, the artistic conception is extraordinary, the emotions are sincere, and the literary style is remarkable. Therefore, it has a cognitive value and artistic appeal that transcends time and space. It is still worth our in-depth study and careful appreciation to this day. “儿时” ◎　瞿秋白 生命没有寄托的人，青年时代和“儿时”对他格外宝贵①。这种浪漫谛克的回忆②其实③并不是发见了“儿时”的真正了不得，而是感觉到“中年”以后的衰退。本来，生命只有一次④，对于谁都是宝贵的。但是，假使他的生命溶化在大众的里面⑤，假使他天天在为这世界干些什么⑥，那末，他总在生长⑦，虽然衰老病死仍旧是逃避不了⑧，然而他的事业——大众的事业是不死的，他会领略到“永久的青年”⑨。而“浮生如梦”的人⑩，从这世界里拿去的很多，而给这世界的却很少，——他总有一天会觉得疲乏的死亡：他连拿都没有力量了。衰老和无能的悲哀，像铅一样的沉重，压在他的心头⑪。青春是多么短呵⑫！ “儿时”的可爱是无知⑬。那时候，件件都是“知”，你每天可以做大科学家和大哲学家⑭，每天在发见什么新的现象，新的真理。现在呢？“什么”都已经知道了，熟悉了，每一个人的脸都已经看厌了。宇宙和社会是那么陈旧，无味，虽则它们其实比“儿时”新鲜得多了。我于是想念“儿时”，祷告“儿时”。 不能够前进的时候，就愿意退后几步，替自己恢复已经走过的前途。请求“无知”回来，给我求知的快乐。可怕呵，这生命的“停止”。 过去的始终过去了，未来的还是未来。究竟感慨些什么——我问自己。 Childhood ◎ Qu Qiubai One who lives a life without high aspirations will treasure all the more the memory of his own youth and childhood. As it is, the sentimental recollection marks his awareness of post-middle age decline rather than his discovery of anything truly remarkable in the bygone days. Life is of course precious to anyone because he will pass through it but once. But one will long remain fresh and vigorous, if he identifies himself with the broad masses of people and day in, day out does his bit for the good of the public. Although, being subject to the law of nature, he too will eventually become aged and die, yet his cause — the public cause — will be everlasting. He will enjoy perennial youth in…