The story of two human beings came to an end. A drama of blackness. Yes, the blackest of the black—blindness—the absence of all light.
One of the world’s most renowned women was Helen Keller, that prodigy who lived and became famous—without sight or sound. But Helen Keller had another self, another half.
Anne Sullivan was born at Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, in poverty, in affliction. She was half-blind. Her mother died and she went over the hill to the poorhouse. Then, at the Perkins Institute for the Blind, a brilliant operation restored her sight. Thereafter she devoted herself to the care of the blind.
Meanwhile, down south a baby was born, a girl destined after early childhood never to see or speak or hear! Helen Keller. She came under the care of Anne Sullivan. In two weeks Anne taught her thirty words, spelling them by touching the hand. Under this system, Helen Keller rose to renown. Teacher and pupil remained inseparable for forty-nine years.
Time came when misfortune befell Anne Sullivan, who meanwhile had become Mrs. Macy. What misfortune? She became blind. And now, turnabout, Helen Keller taught her how to overcome the lack of sight. She schooled her former teacher as devotedly as she herself had been schooled.
Finally Helen Keller stood at the deathbed of her other half. When it was all over, she said: “I pray for strength to endure the silent dark until she smiles upon me again.”
A drama of the dark!
I’ve never heard this story. What an amazing gift on both sides.
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I remember when I was younger being fascinated by Helen Keller’s story. It was great to find this illustration. God Bless, Sister Kathy!
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