The Great Answer

                                   

Fulton Oursler



 Literal Comprehension:

When there was the Second World War, the Jewish refugees wanted to cross the border of France. The Nazi armies were following them. They wanted to go to America through Spain. The refugees were hiding in a boarding house. If they didn't cross the border, Gestapo would capture and kill them. Among the young and old, there was a lady with her small daughter. Luckily they found an underground guide who led them to Spain at night. He was telling them to believe to the god for their success in this desperate attempt. The journey was long and tiresome. The young and old man helped the lady to carry her child until they had the last drop of strength. Three times the old man fell on the ground but the guide encouraged them to use their last drop of energy. At last, they reached a safe place in the morning. The three old men, who had fallen but had carried the child, found new strength, new life and the new world of freedom by the grace of God.

Interpretation:

"The Great Answer" may be trying to tell us the great answer to the riddle of life. Fulton Oursler here presents us that life is full of problems and difficulties. We should bravely face the difficulties without losing confidence. Life is mysterious and courage, hope, eagerness and selfless service are the answer to the riddle of life. Selfless devotion makes life meaningful. Hoping selflessly means helping ourselves. God is always with us for our help, if we help other people. Anyone should feel stronger and confident in his/her ability to help the weak and needy. Good deeds always lead to good result. Here, young and old all of them have got new life and strength due to their belief in God and selfless service. Here the writer focuses on selfless service and devotion to god.

Critical Thinking:

This short story is realistic and interesting. It tells us the condition of Jew people during the Nazi attack. It tries to inspire mankind to believe in god and involve in selfless services. Thinking critically, I like to raise some questions in the text. Does the god exist? Do we find selfless people in this world? How can the old and weak people help others after they are exhausted? Is it possible to find new life and new strength? Except for these points, I like the text very much.

Assimilation:

 This story is really having a moral lesson. It teaches us not only to believe in God but also to involve in the unending effort and selfless devotion. By reading it, I have learned to be optimistic. If we try continuously, we can get success.  If we believe in god, he will always help us. Further, I have learned that we get help in need if good lesson to the self-centered modern man in the materialistic world.