The Farmer and the Apple Tree
A poor farmer once had a friend who was famous for the wonderful apple trees that he grew. The farmer went to visit his friend one fine day in the spring.
As the farmer was about to leave, his friend said, "Here is a young apple tree. I want you to take it home and plant it. I want you and your family to enjoy it."
The farmer was pleased. "Thank you very much," he said. "I know this tree will bear fine apples."
However, when the farmer got home, he did not know where to plant the tree. He was afraid that if he planted it near the road, strangers would steal the fruit. If he planted it in one of his fields, his neighbours would come at night and steal some of the apples. If he planted it near his house, his children would take the fruit. Finally, he planted the tree deep in his woods, where no one could see it. But without sunlight and proper soil, it soon died.
Later that year, the friend who had given the farmer the tree went to his friend’s farm to inquired about the tree.
"Why did you plant the tree in such a poor place?" he asked, puzzled.
"What's the difference?" the farmer said angrily. "If I had planted the tree near the road, strangers would have stolen the fruit. If I had planted the tree in one of my fields, my neighbors would have come at night and stolen some of the apples. If I had planted it near my house, my own children would have taken the fruit."
"Yes," said the friend. "But at least someone could have enjoyed the fruit. Now, by your foolish action, you have robbed every one’s fruit, and you have also destroyed a good tree."
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