[originaltext] (16)When I was younger, I was ashamed to admit I came from a

(16)When I was younger, I was ashamed to admit I came from a remote village, yet I lacked the courage to claim I was from a city, so I usually said simply that I came from an outlying township. Now I must tell the truth that I was born in an isolated village. Let me start from the banks of a humble river where my life began and which is the true source of my writing. My fellow villagers live and while away their time in a monotonous environment completely cut off from the outside world. I know their lives only too well.(17)If I had not had a distant dream from a very young age, I would have shared their fate. All my memories of a joyful childhood and the pains of growing up are intertwined with the river. She keeps all of my secrets. I cannot agree with people who praise the poetic beauty of the countryside. (18)I cannot agree with them because I know, in reality, life in the countryside is all about poverty and hunger. Of course, I was blessed to be born in that remote village, and to spend my childhood by the crystal clear river. Looking back at my path from the village gives rise to a complicated happiness. (19)The river gave me a humble yet unique life experience—as if it was preparing me for my literary journey. Whatever life has given me, be it poverty, hunger, misfortune or tragedy, for me, they are treasures. I will be forever grateful for, and feel blessed by these treasures.
16. What made the speaker feel ashamed when young?
17. What distinguished the speaker from his fellow villagers?
18. What does the speaker think of countryside?
19. Why is the river so important for the speaker?