翻译(英译中)：邱敦莲  

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. "God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

有一天，我决定彻底放弃一切，放弃工作，中断与任何人的联系，放弃我的信仰，我想结束自己的一生。我到树林里与上帝进行最后一次对话，“上帝啊，您能给我一个让我不要放弃的理由吗？”

His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

上帝的回答令我吃惊。“看看你的四周”，上帝说，“你看到了那些蕨类和竹子了吧？”

我回答说“是的”。

When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. 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. 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.

In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit. He said.

“当我播种蕨类和竹子种子的时候，我细心地照料它们，我给它们阳光雨露。蕨类很快从地里长了出来，使地面覆盖着亮绿的色彩，而竹子的种子什么也没长。但是我对竹子并没有放弃。第二年，蕨类长得更加茂盛，竹子还是什么也没长，但是我对竹子并没有放弃。直到第三年，竹子的种子还是什么也没有长。第四年，依然如此，但是我不愿放弃。”上帝说。

Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...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. 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. He said. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

“第五年的时候，地上冒出了一个小竹笋。与长得很繁茂的蕨类比起来，这个小竹笋显得如此无足轻重。但是，只过了6个月，那根竹笋快速长到了100英尺高，而它长根的时间却用了5年。是那些根给了它生长所需要的所有营养，使它长得强壮。”上帝对我说，“我的孩子，你知道吗？你一直以来的这些挣扎其实就是像竹子在长根一样。我没有放弃竹子，我也永远不会放弃你。不要将自己和其他人比较。竹子与蕨类具有不一样的作用，然而它们都同样使森林更加美丽。”

"Your time will come", God said to me. You will rise high.” 

 "How high should I rise?", I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

“Yes.” He said. "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. "

 I left the forest and bring back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you. He will never give up on you!

“你会长高的！” 上帝对我说，“你长高的时候就会到来！”

“我会长得多高？”我问上帝。

“竹子能长多高？”他反问我。

“长到它能够长的那么高吗？”，我问上帝。

“是的。”上帝说道。“请给我荣耀，长到你能够长的那样高吧！”

  我离开了森林，带回了这个故事。希望这些话能够让你明白，上帝从不放弃你。他将从不放弃你！