Younger tree was gazing desirously at a taller older tree with large luscious fruit – sighed – I wish I had such fruit. Moon said this tree has seen many moons. Sun added – many summers too. Rain said – and weathered many storms. Wind said – it needs much time. How do you know – asked young tree (YT). I blew my might at every stage- said wind. But tree was wise to grow down roots & grow up only as it grew deep. It took time for branches – I mean collateral relationships. That’s an awful lot of time – whined the impatient YT. Wind wisely quipped – awful lot of time avoids awful lot of waste & adds awful lot of fruit. Is there no short cut? There is – start growing today – gaze up – grow deep. Sooner you begin – shorter it is
Beat the fruit or shine the sun – Wrong done weighs on the conscience of every man – Prince or Pauper. Penitence is like a bud. Force it open – it resists. More force it is crushed. Pointing the finger at the boss – call a spade a spade or Preaching the severity of God does not bring changed heart. It will only make the porcupine to bristle. How do you want your error addressed – softly or harshly? Privately or publicly? Giving the benefit of the doubt to you or on the basis of guilty until proven otherwise. I read many such comments about people in authority. Shine a little soft sunshine – bud will open, correct its colours & bloom bright, fragrances the atmosphere. So let it be with your child, your boss or your Head of State. Sunshine is called the goodness of God.
We are fathers we will not curse only bless
When our sons our dictates disobey & mess
When our likes they dislike – patient we’ll be
Their struggle to be in our heart in empathy
Give us manly grace to embrace their pain
In all our planning Remember their gain
Never use them for our glory and success
When we are displeased shutting access
Even when they depart, we will not wish ill
You will bring them back – if it’s your will
We will bid them God weed & good will
In their new venture good fruit to yield
O Father in Heaven – forgive us and undo
Help us to our wife, son & daughter be true
Eventually the son became famous, handsome, much sought after for social functions because of his stature in his field. He always went with an old man who had to be brought in a wheel chair. He never explained who he was. Once the son had to help the old gent – for which he folded up his immaculate sleeves. Then some saw deep scars on his forearm. They asked why. He explained……
“His father, ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late . Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father’s fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. Also the alligator viciously attacked the father with his tail. But the love for his son would not let him go. When the father recovered he couldn’t walk anymore. But he saved his son’s brilliant future. The son never forgot.