The Fern and The Bamboo 蕨树 与 竹

One day I decided to quit... I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.有一天我决定放弃……放弃我的工作，人际关系，灵性……我想放弃我的生命。我到树林中与上帝进行最后一次对话。

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"“ 上帝，”我说，“你能给我一个好的理由不去放弃吗？”

His answer surprised me...他的回答令我惊讶……

"Look around", He said.. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"“ 看看周围”，他说，“你看到那些蕨树和竹子了吗？”

"Yes", I replied.“ 是的”，我回答。

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. ”“ 当我撒下蕨树和竹子的种子后，我非常精心的照料他们，我给他们阳光，给他们水分。”

“The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.. But I did not quit on the bamboo. ”没有多久，蕨树马上长了出来，在地上覆上一层翠绿，但是撒了竹子种子的地方却什么也没有，但是我没有放弃竹子。

“In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo". He said.

“ 第二年，蕨树长得更加繁茂了，但是，撒有竹子种子的地方还是什么也没有。但是我还是没有放弃竹子”，他说。

“ In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. ”“ 第三年，竹子的那块地里仍然什么也没有。但是，我依然没有放弃。”

“In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.“ 第四年，同样的，那块地里还是什么也没有，我仍然没有放弃” . 他说。

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. 　 Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. ”“ 第五年的时候那块地里总算冒出了小小的竹笋，与蕨树相比，它依然显得微不足道。”

“But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

“ 但是在后面仅仅 6 个月的时间里，这些竹笋一下子长到了近 30 米高。它花了 5 年的时间来发展它的根基。这些根基使得它们变得强壮，给予他们生存所需的营养。对于我的创造物，我不会给他任何他无法承受的挑战。”

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others."

他对我说，“你知道吗，我的孩子，你在挣扎着的这段日子，其实你是在发展你的根基，我永远都不会放弃竹子，我也永远不会放弃你，不要拿自己和他人比较。”

He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."他说，“竹子与蕨树有着不同的生命意义，它们都使得这个树林更加美丽。”

"Your time will come, "God said to me. " You will rise high!"“ 一旦属于你的时刻到来”上帝对我说，“你会长得非常高！”

"How high should I rise?" I asked.“ 我会有多高？”我问。"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.“ 竹子会长得多高？”他反问我。"As high as it can?" I questioned.“ 它会尽其能长得更高吗？”我问。"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."“ 是的。”他说，“尽你所能地长高吧，让我为你骄傲！”

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.我离开了那个树林并带回了这个故事。我希望这些话能让你认识到上帝永远不会抛弃你。

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness. Bad days give you experiences. Both are essential to life. Keep going....不要悔恨生命中的任何一天。顺境给你喜悦，逆境给你历练，他们都是生命所需要的。坚持向前走吧……

Happiness keeps you Sweet,Trials keep you Strong,Sorrows keep you Human,Failures keep you humble,Success keeps You Glowing,

幸福使你甜蜜，考验使你坚强，悲伤使你感性，失败使你谦逊，成功使你闪耀 ,

God keeps You Going!上帝将使你前进！

When the going gets tough, the TOUGH gets going....Do not quit, as your time will come one day!当前进的路途变得坎坷时，这些坎坷也使得你在前进…… 不要轻言放弃 , 属于你的一天总会到来！

ENDMADE BY J