Risking

Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile spring soil.

The first seed said, "I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts¹ through the earth's crust above me…. I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners to announce the arrival of spring… I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the blessing² of the morning dew on my petals³!"

And so she grew.

The second seed said, "I am afraid. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don't know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts…. what if I let my buds open and a snail⁴ tries to eat them? And if I were to open my blossoms, a small child may pull me from the ground. No, it is much better for me to wait until it is safe."

And so she waited.

A yard hen scratching around in the early spring ground for food found the waiting seed and promptly⁵ ate it.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Those of us who refuse to risk and grow get swallowed up by life.

　　中文：

　　两颗种子并排躺在春天肥沃的土壤里。

　　第一颗种子说：“我要成长。我要把根深深扎入土壤；我要用芽顶穿坚硬的地壳… 我要伸展柔嫩的蓓蕾，像旗帜一样宣告春天的到来… 我要感受太阳照在脸上的温暖，接受花瓣上晨露的祝福！”

　　于是，第一颗种子不断成长着。

　　第二颗种子说：“我很害怕。如果我把根深扎入土壤，不知道黑暗之中会遇到什么；如果我冲破坚硬的土地，那脆弱的芽可能会受损伤… 如果我舒展花蕾，蜗牛要吃掉它们可怎么办呢？如果我绽放花朵，小孩儿可能会把我拔起。不，我还是等安全了再那么做比较好。”

　　于是，第二颗种子就等啊等啊。

　　一只母鸡正在院子里刨着早春的泥土找食吃，发现了正等在那儿的第二颗种子，一下子就把她吞了下去。

　　启示：惧怕冒险和成长的人最终要被生活吞没。

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