Wisdom from Tree

 Wisdom from Tree

An older man, who had spent many afternoons resting under the shade of this particular tree, was sleeping when he suddenly heard someone calling him. He turned around but couldn't find anyone, so he heard the sound once again and was afraid to be there; the voice gently said, " I am the tree speaking to you." The older man, feeling a sense of familiarity, paid attention to the voice, which started narrating the following:

I am an old tree, standing here for centuries, witnessing the world change around me. I might yield little fruits, but my branches have provided shelter to countless creatures, including you. 

My roots, deeply embedded, stand as a testament to my resilience in the face of harsh nights and turbulent days. I am cognizant of my transient existence, yet I persist, leaving an indelible mark as furniture, windows, and more. I endure, defying mortality with every breath. My story is one of wisdom and resilience, a tale that can inspire and provoke reflection in those who listen. 

After listening to the above, the older man said it was a meaningful narration and that you require a lifetime celebration. The tree said the narration doesn't end here; let me relate my life to your old age. The older man was curious and said, let me listen to you.

The tree continued by saying, you might be older, but you are growing wiser; though you might not be able to contribute physically, people can sit with you to understand your wisdom; if required, they sit under my tree to listen to you. Just as my branches provide a place of rest, your wisdom can offer solace and understanding to those around you. I know that an older adult like you would have faced ups and downs in life, but your values would have helped you face it with courage, which is nothing but the roots on which you have built your life. Your experience should be the doors to others like I will be a door in the future, and your words should be chairs of comfort for others like I will be a chair in the future. 

The older man was deeply moved by the tree's narration and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the fruits of wisdom it shared. After some time, the tree fell silent, and he took a brief rest. Upon awakening, he saw a few people discussing how to cut the tree; with tears in his eyes, he walked away from the tree, filled with a profound respect for its wisdom. After a few weeks, the older man found his final rest, his heart filled with the tree's enduring wisdom.

Sitting on a wooden chair, a middle-aged man reading the above narration said thank you, Grandpa, for passing such wisdom to the next generation. He looked out at the tree, now a mere stump, and felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the lessons it had taught. 

M.L.Narendra Kumar