The Parable of the Pencil

The pencil maker took the pencil aside，just before putting him into the box．

“There are five things you need to know，”he told the pencil，“before I send you out into the world．Always remember them and never forget，and you will become the best pencil you can be．”

“One：You will be able to do many great things，but only if you allow yourself to be held in someone's hand．”

“Two：You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time，but you need it to become a better pencil．”

“Three：You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make．”

“Four：The most important part of you will always be what's inside．”

“And Five：On every surface you are used on，you must leave your mark．No matter what the condition，you must continue to write．”

The pencil understood and promised to remember，and went into the box with purpose in its heart．

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you．Always remember them and never forget，and you will become the best person you can be．

One：You will be able to do many great things，but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand．And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess．

Two：You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time，by going through various problems in life，but you'll need it to become a stronger person．

Three：You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make．

Four：The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside．

And Five：On every surface you walk through，you must leave your mark．No matter what the situation，you must continue to do your duties．

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish ．

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and can not make a change．

Words and Expressions

- access v．到达；进入；使用；接近；利用

fulfill the purpose成功，达到目的

- accomplish v．完成，实现，做成功

- insignificant adj．无价值的，无意义的，无用的

Read and recite the following sentences：

One：You will be able to do many great things，but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand．And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess．

Two：You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time，by going through various problems in life，but you'll need it to become a stronger person．

Three：You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make．

Four：The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside．

And Five：On every surface you walk through，you must leave your mark．No matter what the situation，you must continue to do your duties．

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish．

Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and can not make a change．

Which of the five things have the biggest impact on you？Choose at least two and write them down：

参考译文

铅笔的寓言

在把铅笔打包装箱之前，铅笔的制作者把铅笔放在一旁。

他告诉铅笔：“在我把你送到世界各地之前，有5件事情你应该知道，并时刻铭记在心，永远不要忘怀。这样，你就会成为世界上最优秀的铅笔。

第一，你能做出许多伟大的事情，可是前提是你必须允许别人用手握住你。

第二，你会体验削尖时的痛楚，但这种经历会让你变得更优秀。

第三，要能改正任何自己可能犯下的错误。

第四，内芯是你身体最重要的部分。

第五，你必须在任何一个被使用的表面留下痕迹，不论在何种情况下，你都得写下去。”

铅笔明白了这些道理，并许诺永远铭记。然后，它胸怀这个目标进入了盒子。

现在，我们将自己的位置和铅笔交换一下。永远记得这几点忠告，你就会成为最好的自己。

第一，你可以做很多伟大的事，那要看你是否屈从于上帝，是否会慷慨的用你自己的天赋、技能来帮助他人。

第二，你会在生活中遇到种种不幸，它们会一次次地刺伤你，但同时也让你变得更加坚强。

第三，人无完人，所以你会不断更正自己的缺点。

第四，你最重要的地方存在于你的内心。

第五，不管你走在哪里，都会留下脚印。不管遇到什么样的情况，你都要履行你的义务和承诺。

遵从这个寓言，它会让你明白你不是一个寻常的普通人，只有你自己才能实现你一直以来的梦想。

别轻易地放弃，不要觉得生活没有意义或者无法改观。