The Tree That Spoke 🌳

 

It was the kind of summer afternoon that makes the air shimmer. The sun blazed overhead, and the heat clung to every inch of skin like a heavy blanket.

Two friends were walking down a dusty path, their shirts sticking to their backs. The road stretched endlessly, and the only sound was the crunch of gravel under their tired feet. Then, like a gift from the heavens, they spotted a large plane tree standing tall and proud by the side of the path.

Without a second thought, they hurried over and collapsed under its sprawling branches. The shade was like stepping into another world—cool, calm, and comforting. A gentle breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of earth and summer.

As they lay there, one of the men tilted his head back, gazing at the thick green canopy. “You know,” he said with a smirk, “this tree is kind of useless. No fruit, no nuts… not even good wood for building. What’s the point of it?”

Before his friend could reply, a rustling sound seemed to come directly from above them. It was as if the tree itself was speaking, its voice carried by the wind.

“Useless, am I?” the tree murmured. “And yet here you are, resting in my shade. I protect you from the burning sun, I cool the air you breathe, and I’ve stood here for years offering this shelter to anyone who passes by. Still, you call me worthless?”

The man’s smirk faded, replaced by a sheepish look. He glanced at his friend, who was already nodding with quiet understanding.

In that moment, they realized something simple yet profound: not all value is visible at first glance.

Nature doesn’t need to be edible or profitable to be important. Every creation has its role—whether it’s to feed, to heal, to protect, or simply to offer comfort on a scorching summer’s day.

As they got up to leave, the man who had called the tree useless placed his hand on its trunk, almost as if in apology. The bark was rough but warm, like the handshake of an old friend.

And from that day on, whenever he saw a tree—fruit-bearing or not—he thought of this one, standing silently yet generously by the path, always giving without asking for anything in return.

Lesson: All of nature’s creations have a purpose. Sometimes, we just need to slow down and feel it. 🌿

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Out Of The Box August 09, 2025