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 sort of1  treat him gently. You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost2. He's been boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds, and to soothe3 his feelings. 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 sort of 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 scoundrel4 there is a hero; that for every crooked5 politician there is a dedicated6 leader; that for every enemy there is a friend.
Teach him the wonders of books.
Give him quiet time to ponder7 the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.
Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.
Teach him to sell his brawn8 and brains to the highest bidder9, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob10... and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.
Teach him gently, World, but don't coddle11 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 little fellow.

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亲爱的世界：
我的儿子今天要开始上学了。一时之间，他会感觉陌生又新鲜。而我希望你能待他温柔一些。你瞧，到现在为止，他一直是家中的小皇帝，一直是后院的王者。我总是在他身旁，忙着为他疗伤，给他慰藉。但是现在——一切都将不同了。
今天清晨，他就要走下门前的台阶，冲我挥挥手，开始他的伟大历险，其间或许有争斗、不幸或伤痛。
要在这个世界上生存度日，他需要信念、爱心和勇气。
所以，世界啊，我希望你能够时不时握住他稚嫩的小手，教给他他所应当知晓的事情。教他——如果可能的话，温柔一些。教他知道，每有恶人之地，必有英雄；每有奸诈政客，必有奉献的领袖；有敌人，必有友人。
教他感受书本的神奇魅力。
给他时间静思永恒的奥妙：天空中的飞鸟，阳光里的蜜蜂，青山上的繁花。
教他知道，失败远比欺诈光荣得多。
教他对自己的想法要有信心，哪怕人人都说他错。
教他付出自己的体力和智慧应获得最大的报酬，但决不可出卖良心和灵魂。
教他把群氓的喧嚣置之度外……并在自觉正确之时挺身而战。
温柔地教导他吧，世界啊，但是不要放纵他。因为只有烈火才能炼出好钢。
这一要求甚高，世界，但是请尽你所能。
他是一个如此可爱的小家伙。
 

 

1. sort of 稍微，有点
2. roost n. 栖息处；卧室（可泛指家）
3. soothe v. 安慰，慰藉
4. scoundrel  n. 无赖，恶棍
5. crooked adj. 不正直的，欺诈的
6. dedicated  adj. 有献身精神的
7. ponder  v. 沉思，默想
8. brawn  n. 体力，肌肉
9. bidder  n. 投标人
10. howling mob 咆哮的乌合之众
11. coddle  v. 溺爱