The portrait of Dorian Gray - - Chapter 1 : The portrait

A light summer wind blew through the open window of
Basil Hallward's studio. It moved the long silk curtains slightly
and filled the room with the smell of fresh flowers. Lord Henry
Wotton, Basil Hallwarcl's best friend, lay on a couch, smoking,
and he and Basil were looking at a picture of a beautiful young
man.
"It is your best work, Basil. You must show it in a gallery."
"No, Harry. I'm afraid I won't show it anywhere. There is
too much ofmyselfin it."
"Why, you don't look like that portrait at all. The boy in
that picture is young and handsome. He has blond hair and
the face of a statue. You, you have dark hair and you are older."
"You don't understand. Everything I believe about art and
beauty is in this portrait ofDorian Gray. Ifl show it in a gallery,
I will let everyone know my most personal secrets."
"Is that the boy's name, Dorian Gray? I would like to meet
him. "
"No, Harry. You mustn't. He is innocent and I don't want
you to have a negative effect on him."
Just then, Basil Hallward's butler, Parker, came in.
"Mr Dorian Gray is here to see yo u, sir."
"Now, I'm afraid I'll have to meet him! "
"Please, Harry, I'm begging yo u. Don't say things which
will upset him. His character is too pure. Show him in , Parker."
The Dorian Gray who walked into the studio looked exactly
like the one in the picture. He had curly blond hair and deep
blue eyes. His face was the colour of marble, and he had perfectly
shaped red lips. Yet what was most attractive in him was his
innocent youth. His eyes and face were full of trust.
Dorian had come to model for Basil one last time so Basil
could finish his picture. While he stood looking out of the open
window, Lord Henry talked about what he thought was wrong
in the world at that time.
"What's wrong with people today is that they are afraid to
do what they really wa nt. They are afraid to fulfil their dreams
and try new ideas. They think their true thoughts and feelings
will not be accepted by others. This is really sad for young
people. When you are young, you should do things that give
you pleasure. You, Mr Gray, must have had thoughts that if
you told them to us, you would be embarrassed. Why? Don't
you know that one clay you will grow old and you will lose
many of the opportunities you have today? When you are
young you hold the key to life. \Nhen you are old you will lose
that key forever. But if you don't use it you will regret it."
Dorian Gray heard everything Lord Henry had said, and
had a strange feeling. Suddenly, he felt as if he could see
everything in life clearl y. Lord Henry's idea to stay young and
find pleasure excited him.
Basil worked quickly. Dorian's mouth had opened slightly,
and there was a new brightness in his eyes. Basil wanted to
show all of this in the picture.
When Basil had finished , Dorian looked at the portrait. At
first, he was pleased. Basil had drawn him exactly as he felt at
the moment. Then he felt sad. Basil saw the change in his eyes.
"Don't you like it, Dorian ?"
"Yes, Basil, it's wonderful. But I just thought of somethin g.
The person in this picture will always be young and beautiful,
while I will grow old and ugly. I wish I were always young and
the picture wou ld grow old."