精美英文欣赏:两棵橡树

如果你想理解什么是逆境，就去拿两颗从同一棵树上摘下来年龄相同的橡树果，并且把它们种到不同的地方。第一颗种在浓密的树林当中，而另外一颗则单独种在一座山上。

Two Acorns²　

If you want to understand adversity, take two identical acorns from the same oak tree and plant them in two different locations. Plant the first in the middle of a dense³ forest, and the other on a hill by itself.

Here’s what will happen. The oak standing⁴ on a hillside is exposed to every storm and gale⁵. As a result its roots plunge⁶ deep into the earth and spread in every direction, even wrapping themselves around giant boulders⁷. At times it may seem the tree isn’t growing fast enough—but the growth is happening underground. It’s as if the roots know they must ported the tree from the threatening elements.

What about the acorn¹ planted in the forest? It becomes a weak, frail⁸ sapling having to compete with giant oaks for nutrients⁹ and space.. And since it is protected by its neighbors, the little oak doesn’t sense the need to spread its roots for support.

Don’t be afraid of adversity! Welcome it! That’s your surefire route to ultimate success.

两棵橡树

如果你想理解什么是逆境，就去拿两颗从同一棵树上摘下来年龄相同的橡树果，并且把它们种到不同的地方。第一颗种在浓密的树林当中，而另外一颗则单独种在一座山上。

事情的结果便是这样。那颗长在山上的橡树经历了大风大雨，结果它的根深深地扎进了泥土中间，并不断向四周扩张，甚至把自己置身于巨大的石块当中。有时它可能看起来长的不是很快，但这时它却在地下悄悄生长着，好像它的根知道自己必须快速生长来保护树木免受自然危害的影响。

而种在树丛中的橡树果是什么样子的呢？它变成了一棵虚弱的小树苗。因为有周围树丛的保护，所以这棵小树苗便不知道要把自己的根扎得更深。

不要害怕困难！要欢迎它！困难是你最终成功的必经之路。

1 acorn   

n.橡实，橡子

参考例句：

• The oak is implicit in the acorn.橡树孕育于橡子之中。
• The tree grew from a small acorn.橡树从一粒小橡子生长而来。

2 acorns   

n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Great oaks from little acorns grow. 万丈高楼平地起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Welcome to my new website!It may not look much at the moment, but great oaks from little acorns grow! 欢迎来到我的新网站。它现在可能微不足道，不过万丈高楼平地起嘛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 dense   

a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的

参考例句：

• The general ambushed his troops in the dense woods. 将军把部队埋伏在浓密的树林里。
• The path was completely covered by the dense foliage. 小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。

4 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

5 gale   

n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等）

参考例句：

• We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
• According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报，明天有大风。

6 plunge   

v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲

参考例句：

• Test pool's water temperature before you plunge in.在你跳入之前你应该测试水温。
• That would plunge them in the broil of the two countries.那将会使他们陷入这两国的争斗之中。

7 boulders   

n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾

参考例句：

• Seals basked on boulders in a flat calm. 海面风平浪静，海豹在巨石上晒太阳。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The river takes a headlong plunge into a maelstrom of rocks and boulders. 河水急流而下，入一个漂砾的漩涡中。 来自《简明英汉词典》

8 frail   

adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的

参考例句：

• Mrs. Warner is already 96 and too frail to live by herself.华纳太太已经九十六岁了，身体虚弱，不便独居。
• She lay in bed looking particularly frail.她躺在床上，看上去特别虚弱。

9 nutrients   

n.（食品或化学品）营养物，营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
• Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》