A special letter 一封特殊的信Dear World:
親愛的世界：
My son starts school today.
我的兒子今天就要開始上學讀書了。
It’s going to be strange and new to him for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
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。
You see, up to now, he’s been king of the roost.
你明白，到現在為止，他一直是家中的小皇帝。
He’s been boss of the backyard.
一直是后院的王者。
I have always been around to repair his wounds, and to soothe his feelings.
我一直在他身旁，忙著為他治療傷口，哄他開心。
But now--things are going to be different.
但是現在--一切都將不同了。
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.
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。
To live his life in the world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
既然活在這個世上，他就需要信念、愛心和勇氣。
So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know.
所以，世界啊，我希望你能夠時不時握住他稚嫩的小手，傳授他所應當知曉的事情。
Teach him - but gently, if you can.
教育他吧--而如果可能的話，溫柔一些。
Teach him 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.
教他知道，每有惡人之地，必有豪杰所在；每有奸詐小人，必有獻身義士；每見一敵人，必有一友在側。
Teach him the wonders of books.
教他感受書本的神奇魅力。
Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.
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。
Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
教他知道，失敗遠比欺騙更為光榮。
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
教他堅定自我的信念，哪怕人人予以否認。
Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder, but never to put a price on his heart and soul.
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。
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.
教他置暴徒的喧囂于度外……并在自覺正確之時挺身而戰。
Teach him gently, World, but don’t coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
溫柔地教導他吧，世界，但是不要放縱他，因為只有烈火的考驗才能煉出真鋼。
This is a big order, World, but see what you can do.
這一要求甚高，世界，但是請盡你所能。
He’s such a nice little fellow.
他是一個如此可愛的小家伙。
（實習編輯：于曉偉）
