英语散文: Be the best of whatever you are

Title: Be the best of whatever you are
by Douglas Malloch

If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley---but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass---but be
The happiest grass by the road.
If you can't be a muskie then just be a bass---
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can't all be captains,we've got to be crew,
There's something for all of us here ,
There's big work to do,and there's lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can't be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can't be the sun be a star;
It isn't by size that you win or you fail---
Be the best of whatever you are!

中文:
做最好的自己
道格拉斯.麦洛克

如果你当不成山巅的一棵劲松,
就做山谷里的小树吧---但务必
做溪流边最棒的一棵小树;
当不了树就做一丛灌木,
当不成灌木还可以做小草---但务必
做路边最快乐的一株小草.
如果你不是大梭鱼就做一尾鲈鱼吧,
但要做湖里最活泼的小鲈鱼!

我们不能都做船长,必须有人当船员,
可每个人都有自己的事儿,
有的事情大,有的事情小,
而你要完成的任务就 近在咫尺.

如果你不能做大道就做一条小径,
若是不能做太阳就做星星;
决定成败的不是你的大小---
只要你做最好的自己!

(ZT)