When I was a child, I was amazed by people who could write Chinese characters with ink brushes (毛笔). Later I came to _______ many Chinese calligraphers (书法家), such as Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing.

I joined a writing class four years ago. The teacher showed me many of his calligraphy _______. I told myself that I would practice hard and try to become as good as him.

At first, I _______ the teacher carefully. As soon as the teacher wrote a simple character, I copied down, and practiced it often. Before long I could write many _______ characters. I was happy and believed that I had the _______ to learn the Chinese calligraphy.

_______, after half a year, although I practiced hard, the teacher pointed out a problem in my calligraphy. He told me that Chinese calligraphy is a creation that comes from the heart and is not just about _______. He said that the _______ to write well is that the writer should think carefully about what he wants to show before writing.

I’m not sure if I _______ understood the teacher. But since then, I spent a lot of time thinking ________ I practiced my writing. I will go on practicing and I hope one day I can know the essence (精华) of Chinese calligraphy.