Page 155 - The Story of My Lif

P.S. I am studying at the Institution for the Blind.

H. A. K.

This letter is indorsed in Whittier’s hand, “Helen A.

Keller—deaf dumb and blind—aged nine years.” “Browns” is a lapse of the
pencil for “brown eyes.”

TO JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER

Inst. for the Blind, So. Boston, Mass., Nov. 27, 1889.

Dear Poet,

I think you will be surprised to receive a letter from a little girl whom you do not
know, but I thought you would be glad to hear that your beautiful poems make
me very happy. Yesterday I read “In School Days” and “My Playmate,” and I
enjoyed them greatly. I was very sorry that the poor little girl with the browns
and the “tangled golden curls” died. It is very pleasant to live here in our
beautiful world. I cannot see the lovely things with my eyes, but my mind can

see them all, and so I am joyful all the day long.

When I walk out in my garden I cannot see the beautiful flowers but I know that
they are all around me; for is not the air sweet with their fragrance? I know too
that the tiny lily-bells are whispering pretty secrets to their companions else they
would not look so happy. I love you very dearly, because you have taught me so

many lovely things about flowers, and birds, and people. Now I must say,
goodbye. I hope [you] will enjoy the Thanksgiving very much.