Over his 50-year writing career, Lee has been recognized both for his talents as an author and as an educator. Asked about his awards, he amusingly compares himself to a little fish swimming amongst the reeds--nobody realizes it's there until it spits out a little sand (awards), then suddenly everyone notices it. Then the fish goes on to live there for decades more, completely carefree and comfortable.
對於得獎，李喬巧妙比喻自己是在河流水草內悠游的小魚，平常無人聞問，突然那條魚噴一噴泥沙（得獎），人家才發現原來那裡有條魚；而幾十年下來，那條魚還在，並且活得無拘無束，逍遙自在。