The Bamboo and the Mango Tree

Mango Tree and Bamboo grew up together. One day, Mango Tree asked Bamboo.

“Bamboo, why are you so thin? Look at me. My trunk is big and strong.”

“Mango, I may be thin but I am not weak.”

“Are you sure you are not weak? Besides, what help do you give to people? You don’t bear fruit.”

“I may not bear fruit, but people love to eat my shoots.”

“You don’t give mush shade. Look at me. People want to rest under my shade.”

“People use me in building their house, bridges, and many things.”

“If they always do that, there will be nothing left of you.”

“I thank the Lord for what He has given me. I believe each of us has something to do for others.”

That night, a strong wind came. Mango Tree stood proudly against the wind. But Bamboo bent his head and bowed to the wind. The storm stopped in the morning. The mango tree was rooted. But Bamboo was still standing.

“Thank you, Lord for saving me from the storm.”

Do not be too proud. Everybody ahs a purpose why they live, everyone is special in their own simple way.

Unlighted Candle

A man had a little daughter-an only and much-beloved child. He lived for her, she was his life. So when she became ill and her illness resisted the efforts of the best obtainable physicians, he became like a man possessed, moving heaven and earth to bring about her restoration to health.

His best efforts proved unavailing and the child died. The father was totally irreconcilable. He became a bitter recluse, shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise and bring him back to his normal self.

But one night he had a dream. He was in Heaven, and was witnessing a grand pageant of the entire little child angels. They were marching in an apparently endless line past the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic tot carried a candle.

He noticed that one child's candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his own little girl. Rushing to her, while the pageant faltered, he seized her in his arms, caressed her tenderly, and then asked:

"How is it, darling that your candle alone is unlighted?”

Father, they often relight it, but your tears always put it out."

Just then he awoke from his dream. The lesson was crystal clear, and its effects were immediate. From that hour on he was not a recluse, but mingled freely and cheerfully with his former friends and associates. No longer would his little darling's candle be extinguished by his useless tears.