English Original
A hike was the perfect plan for the day. The boys were excited. It would be a good workout and a chance to be together.
We planned to leave after lunch. I noticed Daniel (ten in November) and Wes (seven in December) scramble for their gear. They had spent the morning studying outdoor catalogs, dreaming of equipment for hiking the Appalachian Trail.
I remembered my own childhood, spending more time reading the Boy Scout handbook than experiencing nature. "Let's just use our daypacks and take a hike this afternoon," I said. The smallest deed is better than the grandest intention. The boys heartily agreed.
After lunch, we headed for the trailhead. Chuck led us. The boys walked ahead with their packs, hats, and water bottles, soon finding walking sticks. I smiled watching Wes shuffle along, struggling with his gear but not uttering a syllable of complaint.
We climbed to the crest of a hill. Finally, I offered to carry Wes's pack. He smiled and handed it over.
The hike was quiet, respecting the "leave no trace" principle. The air was sweet with the scent of autumn. Goldenrod nodded yellow along the trail. We crossed a stream among boulders and came to a view of corn ripening in an undulating field.
Carrying Wes's pack, I asked, "What's in here?"
"A calculator," he said.
I thought I misheard. I expected trail mix, apples, a field guide—anything but that. "What else?"
"That's all."
"It's heavy, Buddy. Books too?"
"No, just the calculator."
Then I realized: he meant the bulky desktop adding machine from home, complete with its power cord and paper roll. I was trekking the outdoors with an adding machine in my pack.
"Why bring it?"
"I just wanted something in my pack," he said.
Kids are full of surprises. I chuckle remembering it, reminded how priceless it is to hike with a little boy.
It's better to live than to watch others pretend to live on TV. Life is good, and people need your love. Get out with your family. Spend time with loved ones. Visit, ride bikes, stroll, take pictures, share coffee and pie.
If you can't think of anything, just throw an adding machine in a backpack and hit the trail.
中文翻译
徒步是那天的完美计划。男孩们都很兴奋。这会是很好的锻炼，也是一次团聚的机会。
我们计划午饭后出发。我注意到丹尼尔（十一月满十岁）和韦斯（十二月满七岁）在争抢他们的装备。他们一早上都在研究户外用品目录，梦想着能徒步阿巴拉契亚小径的装备。
我想起自己的童年，花在阅读童子军手册上的时间比体验大自然还多。"我们就用现有的小背包，下午去徒步吧，"我说。最微小的行动也胜过最宏大的意愿。男孩们由衷地同意了。
午饭后，我们向小径起点进发。查克带队。男孩们背着包，戴着帽子，拿着水壶走在前面，很快就找到了手杖。我看着韦斯拖着脚往前走，费力地应付着他的装备，却没有吐露一个音节的抱怨，不禁笑了。
我们爬上了一座小山的山顶。最后，我提出帮韦斯背会儿包。他笑了笑，把包递给了我。
我们安静地徒步，遵循"不留痕迹"的原则。空气中弥漫着秋天的芬芳。黄花沿小径点头。我们跨过溪流上的小桥，溪水在巨石间流淌，还看到了一片起伏的田野里成熟的玉米。
背着韦斯的包，我问："里面装了什么？"
"一个计算器，"他说。
我以为听错了。我以为是 trail mix（徒步零食）、苹果、野外指南——什么都行，除了这个。"还有别的吗？"
"就这个。"
"挺重的，伙计。还有书吗？"
"没有，就计算器。"
然后我明白了：他指的是家里那个笨重的台式加法器，连带着电源线和一卷纸。我背着个加法器在户外跋涉。
"为什么带它？"
"我就是想包里有点东西，"他说。
孩子们充满乐趣和惊喜。每次想起我都暗自发笑，并提醒自己，能有个小男孩一起徒步是多么珍贵。
亲身去生活，胜过浪费生命看别人在电视上假装生活。活着真好，有人需要你的爱。和家人一起出去吧。趁还能的时候，多陪陪爱你的人。拜访亲友、骑自行车、沙滩漫步、遛狗、拍照、出去喝咖啡吃馅饼，或者去做礼拜。
如果你想不到更好的事做，就往背包里扔个加法器，踏上小径吧。