21．Starting the First Step

图画中，我们可以看到一匹抬起前腿、将要奔驰的骏马，题目为：千里之行，是从第一步开始的。要求作文以图画展开的内容为主题，（1）描述图画（2）阐述图画所要表达的含义（3）发表自己的看法。

（海天英语老师写作提示：文章主题应围绕“第一步”语“千里之行”的关系展开讨论，可以讨论“起步”或“行动”的重要性。）

As we can see in the picture, a horse is starting the first step in his journey vigorously. The prancing horse, together with the line of words beneath that every journey begins with the first step, implies the importance of beginnings, and the necessity of getting off to a right start in anything that one undertakes.

As we all know, the foundations of a building must be strong, or else the whole structure will fall down someday. The pioneering of any enterprise always contains the soul of it, in which is wrapped the whole motive, purpose and plan of the venture. The success of autumn crops depends on the initial steps taken in the spring. Therefore, it seems that the beginning point is dynamic and alive and often more important than any other point in the journey. When asked about the key to success, a successful author replied that the most helpful thing was to start writing. Without taking the first step, potential genius will contents itself with mediocrity. Only by trying, the first can produce the second, the second the third, and so on to the very goal.

In sum, there is a magic potential in the first step taken toward a successful end in view.