how often one hears children wishing they were grownups and old people wishing they were young. each age has its pleasures and its pains, and the happiest people are those who enjoy what each age gives him without wasting his time in useless regrets.

　　childhood is a time when there are few responsibilities.if a child has good parents, he is fed, looked after and loved. it is impossible that he will ever again in his life be given so much without having to do anything in return. what`s more, life is always giving new things to the child things that have lost their interest for older people.however, a child may also have his pains: he is not so free to do what he wishes to do; he is repeatedly being told not to do something, or being punished for what he has done wrong.

　　when a young man starts to earn his own living, he can no longer expect others to pay for his food, clothes, room,etc., but has to work if he wants to live comfortably. if he spends most of his time playing as he used to in childhood, he will go hungry. and if he breaks the laws of society as he used to break the laws of his parents, he may go to prison. if,however, he works hard, keeps out of trouble and has good health, he can have the great happiness of building up his own position in society.