I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing – that it was all started by a mouse. — Walt Disney 我只是希望我們永不忘記一件事──那就是一切始於一隻老鼠。──華特．迪士尼

 Which mouse did Walt Disney talk about? Mickey Mouse was created by Disney in 1928. He appeared in the world’s first cartoon with sound. Since then, Mickey Mouse has become one of the most famous cartoon characters in the world. 

Walt Disney (1901-1966) was an American cartoonist, film producer and director. As a child, he loved drawing and had a very active imagination. When he was studying at high school, he became the cartoonist for the school newspaper. When World War I broke out, Disney tried to join the army but he was too young. So he spent a year with the Red Cross and was sent overseas to drive an ambulance. Later he returned to the USA to pursue his career in the field of art. 

Disney and his brother Roy opened Walt Disney Productions to make animated films. Disney was a great storyteller. With the use of technology, he turned a lot of fairytales into wonderful, enjoyable films. Can you name a few animated films? These classics include “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”《雪姑七友》, “Pinocchio”《木偶奇遇記》, and “Alice in Wonderland”《愛麗絲夢遊仙境》. Through his films, Disney tried to show us the fun and joy of living, and that we should follow our dreams. 

Disney’s other dream was to build a theme park to bring joy and inspiration to all the world. In 1955, the first Disneyland was opened in California. There is one in Hong Kong as well and it is one of the theme parks in Hong Kong. Have you been there yet? 

Glossary

Mickey Mouse: 米奇老鼠

Cartoon characters: 卡通人物

Film producer: 電影製片

Director: 導演

Pursue career: 發展事業

Animated films: 動畫電影

Theme park: 主題公園