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 sprouts 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 blessing of the morning dew on my petals!"

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 snail 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 promptly ate it.

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

　　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。