一位母亲给世界的信A Mother’s Letter to the World

A Mother’s Letter to the World

Dear World,

My son starts school today. It’s going to be strange and new to him for a while. 

And I wish you would treat him gently. You see, up to now, he’s been the king of the roast.

But now things are going to be different.

This morning, he’s going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on his great adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.

So, world, I wish you would take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him –but gently, if you can.

Teach him that for every villain there is a hero; that for every crocked politician there is a dedicated leader; that for every enemy there is a friend.

Teach him the wonders of books.

Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He’ such a nice little fellow.

A Mother   译文见下页

一位母亲给世界的信

（很多人都说进入了校园，就像进入了一个小小的社会。你会交到很多朋友，你会遇到很多趣事，当然也会产生些许烦恼。在你即将踏入校园之际，你知道吗？你是妈妈正在为你默默祈祷。）

亲爱的世界：

我的儿子今天开始上学了。在一段时间里，他将感到陌生和新鲜。

我希望您会友善地对待他。您瞧，到现在为止，他还一直是家里的小皇帝。

但是现在情况将有所不同。

今天早上，他将走下前台阶、挥挥手，开始他的伟大冒险，其间可能会有战争、悲剧和忧伤。

他在他必须生活的世界里生活，需要有信仰、爱和勇气。

所以，世界，我希望您抓住他年幼的手，教会他必须了解的道理。教他事理—如果可以，请和蔼地教他。

让他知道：有一个无赖就有一个英雄；有一个无耻的政客就有一个热忱的领袖；有一个敌人就有一个朋友。

让他知道书中的精彩所在。

让他知道失败远比作弊更有尊严。

教导他把自己的体力和脑力出售给出价最高的人，但是千万不要给自己的良心和灵魂定价。

这是一个很高的要求，世界，但是请您根据情况尽力而为。我儿子是一个很棒的小伙子。

一位母亲