The Conceited Tree
Two Trees in the Forest
Once upon a time, there were two trees in the middle of a forest. One was a fig tree and the other was a mango tree. The mango tree was gentle and cheerful by nature.
Every autumn, birds would come to peck at its fruits. Sparrows made their nests on its branches, and swallows sang to it. The tree happily welcomed all the birds and sang along with them. This was a generous tree. It offered shade to passersby and stood strong when the wind paid it a visit.
The Conceited Fig Tree
But the fig tree was not generous at all. It always cared too much about its appearance. It was far too conceited about being taller and greener than the mango tree. It never let birds rest on it and dropped dry leaves on anyone who tried to stand in its shade.
— Why are you so conceited? Every tree has its shade. — Really? Then why do they have to stand in my shade? Do you know why? Because not every tree has a shade as magnificent as mine. — Oh, there's no point in discussing with you. — Hey, get out of here! Go to the mango tree, over there! You're all messing up my hairstyle! — You don't have hair. — Fine? Then you're messing up the style of my leaves. Are you happy now?
A Heated Discussion
— Come on, fig tree, they just want to build a nest. You never let birds perch on you. They are beautiful and sing melodious songs. — Ugh! Boring songs! And please, I won't let anyone near my leaves. They'll ruin my beautiful branches. You can let them perch on you. You're shorter than me and don't look as good anyway. — Hey, watch it! That's a very mean thing to say, fig tree! — Oh, it's alright, Breezy! I'm not hurt. Being short isn't a bad thing. I'm happy with myself.
The Bees and the Fig Tree
Days passed and nothing changed between the fig tree and the mango tree. While the mango tree smiled and sang all day, the fig tree didn't speak to anyone.
One day, a swarm of bees entered the forest. The Queen saw the fig tree and was very impressed.
— Oh! This tree is big and strong. It would be perfect for our home! We can build our hive here! — Excuse me? Who said you could? I don't want your sticky honey all over my branches. And you'll keep buzzing all day. I have better things to do. — You're a tree, rooted in one spot in the forest. What do you mean you have better things to do? — Whatever! Don't bring your noisy buzzers here.
The Mango Tree Helps the Bees
— Fig tree, these are honeybees. Bees are important for nature. They always need trees to build their hives. If we don't help each other, then how will nature stay balanced? — Oh! If nature wanted me to ruin my branches, then it wouldn't have made me so strong and beautiful. I am a beautiful creation of nature, so I will keep myself beautiful for nature's sake. And why are you lecturing me? If you care about nature, you do it. Let these bees build a hive on you. Now, if you'll excuse me...
The mango tree was very hurt by the fig tree's words. But it chose not to react. It called out to the swarm of bees and asked them to build a hive on its branches instead.
— Oh, you are so generous, mango tree! We would love to build our hive here! Mmm, yum, you smell so sweet! — Thank you, my Queen! I am honored!
The Woodcutters
The bees built their hive on the mango tree and lived there in peace. The mango tree was not bothered by their buzzing or their sticky honey. The fig tree, on the other hand, kept yelling at everyone.
— Hey! Your chattering bothers me! Quiet down over there! You birds, why are you chirping so much? Do you always have to sing? At some point, it's a nuisance!
A few weeks later, two woodcutters came into the forest. They needed wood to build houses. They saw the mango tree and decided to cut it down. They found it to be perfect for their work. But one of them noticed something.
— Wait! What's that? It's a beehive! The bees will sting us if we cut down this tree! — Oh, right! Let's find another mango tree.
The woodcutters walked on and spotted the fig tree. They liked how tall the tree was.
— Let's start at the bottom of the bark.
The Fig Tree in Danger
And so, the woodcutters started cutting down the fig tree. The fig tree started to cry. It didn't want to leave the forest. Suddenly, it missed the birds and the swallows.
— Ow! It hurts! What will they do with me?
The mango tree watched all this. It called out to the bees.
— Hey, little bees! Is anyone buzzing? — Hello, mango tree! What happened? — The fig tree is in trouble! We have to help him! — Oh, please! He only cares about himself. He's always angry at everything in the forest. Why should we help him? — For the same reason I asked him to help you! — But he didn't help the queen. I'm on the bee's side this time, mango tree. The fig tree is so proud of himself all the time. If he had let the bees build the hive on him, the woodcutters would have left him alone. He's getting what he deserves. — No, Breezy! No matter how the fig tree behaved, that shouldn't define us. Just because someone is rude to us, it doesn't mean we should be rude to them. This forest is home to all of us. We can't abandon the fig tree when he needs us most! — Ah! The mango tree is right! We must help the fig tree!
Saving the Fig Tree
— Come on, buzzers! Come out! The fig tree needs our help!
All the bees came out of the hive and flew towards the woodcutters. They started buzzing near their ears and in front of their eyes.
— Ah! I can't see anything! — What did you say? I can't hear anything! — We have to get out of here! These bees will sting us! It'll be painful! — Stop yelling! You're the one who can't hear! Not me! — Let's get out of here!
A Lesson Learned
After the woodcutters left, the fig tree was very ashamed of its behavior.
— I'm sorry, little bees! You are the best for helping me when I needed it. — Don't thank us, fig tree! Thank the mango tree! You never spoke to him and always treated him rudely. But he's the one who convinced us to help you. — Really? Mango tree, I am so sorry. I've realized my mistake. We all have good qualities within us. We are all special in our own way. I will never be conceited again and I will never insult anyone again. Please, forgive me all of you.
The fig tree learned its lesson. From that day on, it never yelled at the breeze or the birds again. It sang with the mango tree and let the sparrows build nests on it. The mango tree and the fig tree remained the best of friends forever.
Moral of the story: Be kind to others, even if they are not kind to you. Don't let yourself be defined by the negative behavior of others.
