Growing deep and strong!

曲永华

有了往下扎根，才会有向上的结果。当一棵树的根部渐渐往下扎时，它的树干也渐渐长成，树叶就茂盛起来，到了时候就会结出果实来。

by Stephen on September 20， 2012 · 9 comments in Inspiring stories

One day， my mother and I were working together in the garden where we were transplanting plants for the third time.

①Grown from seed in a small container， the plants had been transferred to a larger container; then transplanted into the garden. Now， because I was moving， we were transplanting them once again.

Inexperienced as a gardener， I turned to my green-thumbed mother. “Isn’t this bad for them？” I asked， as we ②dug them up and shook the dirt from the roots. “Won’t it hurt these plants， being uprooted and transplanted so many times？”

“Oh” my mother replied. “Transplanting doesn’t hurt them. In fact， ③it’s good for the ones that survive. That’s how their roots grow strong. Their roots will grow deep， and they will make strong plants”.

Often， I’ve felt like those small plants – uprooted and turned upside. Sometimes I’ve endured the change willingly， sometimes reluctantly， but usually my reaction has been a combination. Won’t this be hard on me？ I ask. Wouldn’t things be better if things remained the same？ That’s when I remember my mother’s words： That’s how the roots grow deep and strong.

扎根越深长得越壮

一天，我和妈妈一起在花园中工作，我们又一次移植那些花卉。

種子在一个小容器发芽，长大后已被转移到一个更大的容器，然后又移植到花园里。现在，因为我要搬家，我们再次移植它们。

缺少作为园丁的经验，我转向精于园艺的母亲。“这不是对他们不好吗？” 我问，当我们把它们挖出来， 抖落植物根部的土壤。“这些植物难道不会毁了，被连根拔起， 而且移植这么多次？”

“哦”我妈妈说。“移植不伤害他们。事实上，那对它们的生存有好处。这使植物的根变得强壮。它们的根会向下扎得更深， 从而将使植物长得更强大”。

我经常想起那些小植物连根拔起的小植物，有时候我心甘情愿地接受这些改变，有时候又不情愿，但是通常我的反应会产生连锁反应。我会问自己：这样的事情发生在我身上会难受吗？如果情况保持不变难到会更好吗？ 我也会想起我妈妈的话： 根扎得越深，就长得更壮。

1. Grown from seed in a small container， the plants had been transferred to a larger container; then transplanted into the garden.种子在一个小容器发芽，长大后已被转移到一个更大的容器，然后又移植到花园里。

Grown from seed in a small container， 过去分词短语做状语，和主语构成被动关系。

2. dig up  挖掘，掘起

The children helped their parents to dig up potatoes. 孩子们帮他们的父母挖马铃薯。

When you’re weeding， you must dig up the roots. 斩草必须除根。

3. be good for 对……有好处，有益于

Swimming is good for your health.游泳对你的健康有好处。

反义词be bad for 对……不好，有害于

Whatever the reasons for children not to eat breakfast， it can be bad for their health. 无论什么原因，孩子不吃早餐对他们的身体是有害的。