The wonderful cool something

標題の英語は、ヘレンケラーが言葉というものの存在を認識した時（That living word awakened my soul）に、手の上を流れる水を表現したものですが、突然開かれた世界への驚きと喜びが映し出されているようで、初めて読んだときに素直に感動したのを覚えています。

英文は、ヘレンケラー自伝「The story of my life」からとられており、「英文標準問題精講」の練習問題102に収録されています。音読の素材としておススメです。

 We walked down the path to the well-house, attracted by the
fragrance of the honeysuckle with which it was covered. Some one
was drawing water and my teacher placed my hand under the spout.
As the cool stream gushed over one hand she spelled into the
other the word water, first slowly, then rapidly. I stood still,
my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers.
Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something
forgotten--a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery
of language was revealed to me. I knew then that "w-a-t-e-r"
meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand.
That living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set
it free! There were barriers still, it is true, but barriers that
could in time be swept away.