A special letter

一封特殊的信

151'

Dear World:

亲爱的世界：

My girl starts school today.

我的女儿今天就要开始上学读书了。

It's going to be strange and new to her for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat her gently.

一时之间，她会感觉陌生而又新鲜。我希望你能待她温柔一些。

You see, up to now, she's been queen of the roost.

你明白，到现在为止，她一直是家中的小皇后。

She's been boss of the backyard.

一直是后院的王者。

I have always been around to repair her wounds, and to soothe her feelings.

我一直在他身旁，忙着为她治疗伤口，哄她开心。

But now, things are going to be different.

但是现在一切都将不同了。

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

今天清晨，她就要走下前门的楼梯，冲我挥手，然后开始她的伟大的历险征程，其间或许有争斗、不幸以及伤痛。

To live her life in the world she has to live in will require faith and love and courage.

既然活在这个世上，她就需要信念、爱心和勇气。

So, World, I wish you would sort of take her by her young hand and teach her the things she will have to know.

所以，世界啊，我希望你能够时不时握住她稚嫩的小手，传授她所应当知晓的事情。

Teach her but gently, if you can.

教育她吧，而如果可能的话，温柔一些。

Teach her that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader; that for every enemy there is a friend.

教她知道，每有恶人之地，必有豪杰所在；每有奸诈小人，必有献身义士；每见一敌人，必有一友在侧。

Teach her the wonders of books.

教她感受书本的神奇魅力。

Give her quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.

给她时间静思大自然中亘古绵传之奥秘：空中的飞鸟，日光里的蜜蜂，青山上的簇簇繁花。

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

教她知道，失败远比欺骗更为光荣。

Teach her to have faith in her own ideas, even if everyone tells her they are wrong.

教她坚定自我的信念，哪怕人人予以否认。

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

教她可以最高价付出自己的精力和智慧，但绝不可出卖良心和灵魂。

Teach her to close her ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if she thinks she's right.

教她置暴徒的喧嚣于度外……并在自觉正确之时挺身而战。

Teach her gently, World, but don't coddle her, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

温柔地教导她吧，世界，但是不要放纵她，因为只有烈火的考验才能炼出真钢。

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do.

这一要求甚高，世界，但是请尽你所能。

She's such a nice little fellow.

她是一个如此可爱的小家伙。