Once a great scholar went for his morning walk as usual,on the streets near his house. He walked down a lane and was attracted by the sight of a flowering tree in a big garden. Why this surprise. It was summer time and such a treat was a pleasant surprise. The flowers on the tree were beautiful and the fragrance that was spreading in the vicinity, was giving a pleasant feeling. He was drawn by the beauty of the flowers, and automatically walked towards the gate of the big bungalow. His hands opened the latch of the gate, he entered in, proceeded down the path, landed on the portico of the bungalow. All these happened instantly. The owner of the bungalow was on his lounge having his morning tea. He was a little stunned to see a stranger in front of him. With a exclamation mark on his forehead he asked, who he was. What he wanted? Without answering his questions the stranger told him, Sir these flowers are really beautiful. They are pleasant for the sight. The fragrance are giving a happy feel. I wanted to tell you this. The owner showed no reaction, but acknowledged his comments. Next he called his gardener and asked him to cut down the branches of the tree before dawn. The stranger, a scholar, a philosphere was surprised and wounded. He felt very bad that his comments has brought destruction to the tree. Considering it to be his fault, he stopped walking down that lane from the next morning. Every time he stepped out for a walk he was reminded of this incident which saddened him a lot. He could not erase the beautiful flowers and the
earatic behavior of the owner from his mind. Just like a mother who excuses her children even though being rude, in the same way this philanthropist was drawn towards the big bungalow. One fine morning he was in front of the bungalow. It must be nearly more than two weeks by now, when he first entered that bungalow. As before he was drawn towards the house by the fragrance and pleasantness of the same tree. But this time it was more charming and beautiful. He walked to the portico. The owner greeted him with a big smile, seated him comfortably, offered a cup of tea too. He cheerfully said, Sir you gave a good comment the
other day. I disheartened you by my behavior, which perhaps saddened you and stopped you from strolling into this lane. But I wanted my tree to be more beautiful, so I trimmed it. I was expecting you some day. Your comments and my trimming has brought out more beauty to this tree. Can you realize the difference.
This man was taken aback. This teaching cannot be achieved from the books,scriptures doesn't teach. What a valuable teaching. All activities should not be monotonous, but should be trimmed to give a new touch/look. As it is said that nature is a natural healer, in the same way nature is a good teacher too. Spiritualism also needs trimming.
In the same way children of today are wondering away from correct path nowadays. They need a trimming. The teachers in the schools do the same thing. Here the principal plays the role of the owner, and the teachers the gardener. The children are trimmed, corrected and tuned into cultured and good citizens of tomorrow. If we are going to be optimistic we will have a fruitful result.
Thankyou.
