Dear World:
My son starts school today.
It's going to be strangeand new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
You see, up to now, he'sbeen king of the roost.
He's been boss of thebackyard.
I have always been aroundto repair his wounds, and to soothe his feelings.
But now--things are goingto be different.
This morning, he's going towalk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on his great adventure thatwill probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live his life in theworld he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So, World, I wish you wouldsort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have toknow.
Teach him - but gently, ifyou can.
Teach him that for everyscoundrel there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is adedicated leader; that for every enemy there is a friend.
Teach him the wonders ofbooks.
Give him quiet time toponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers onthe green hill.
Teach him it is far morehonorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith inhis own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to sell his brawnand brains to the highest bidder, but never to put a price on his heart andsoul.
Teach him to close his earsto a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.
Teach him gently, World,but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, World,but see what you can do.
He's such a nice littlefellow.
一封特殊的信
親愛的世界:
我的兒子今天就要開始上學(xué)讀書了。
一時之間,他會感覺陌生而又新鮮。我希望你能待他溫柔一些。
你明白,到現(xiàn)在為止,他一直是家中的小皇帝。
一直是后院的王者。
我一直在他身旁,忙著為他治療傷口,哄他開心。
但是現(xiàn)在--一切都將不同了。
今天清晨,他就要走下前門的樓梯,沖我揮手,然后開始他的偉大的歷險征程,其間或許有爭斗、不幸以及傷痛。
既然活在這個世上,他就需要信念、愛心和勇氣。
所以,世界啊,我希望你能夠時不時握住他稚嫩的小手,傳授他所應(yīng)當(dāng)知曉的事情。
教育他吧--而如果可能的話,溫柔一些。
教他知道,每有惡人之地,必有豪杰所在;每有奸詐小人,必有獻(xiàn)身義士;每見一敵人,必有一友在側(cè)。
教他感受書本的神奇魅力。
給他時間靜思大自然中亙古綿傳之奧秘:空中的飛鳥,日光里的蜜蜂,青山上的簇簇繁花。
教他知道,失敗遠(yuǎn)比欺騙更為光榮。
教他堅定自我的信念,哪怕人人予以否認(rèn)。
教他可以最高價付出自己的精力和智慧,但絕不可出賣良心和靈魂。
教他置暴徒的喧囂于度外……并在自覺正確之時挺身而戰(zhàn)。
溫柔地教導(dǎo)他吧,世界,但是不要放縱他,因為只有烈火的考驗才能煉出真鋼。
這一要求甚高,世界,但是請盡你所能。
他是一個如此可愛的小家伙。