The Tree and the Stingy Brother

23 The Tree and the Stingy Brother There once were two brothers who were as different as night and day. One of them was a farmer. One day, he decided to visit his brother who had an apple orchard near the city. The fruit from his trees was as good and sweet as any in the land. The city brother dug up one of the fine trees from his orchard and gave it to his brother as a gift. “ I have selected the best tree in my orchard, " he said. " Care for it well, and it will provide apples for you and your children. " When the farmer returned to the countryside, he could not decide where to plant the apple tree. He considered planting it on a nearby hillside where it would get plenty of sun, and grow well. Then he thought, " If I put it there, the high winds might blow the fruits off the tree before I can harvest them. Also, the tree will be exposed to the road, where all the travellers will be able to see it. They will surely steal the fruit from me. "

Next, he thought about planting it in his front yard, by the door. Again, he hesitated. He thought that children coming and going would be tempted by the ripening fruit. " People who come to my door will see it and steal the fruit, " he thought. No, it would not do to put such a tree where thieves could easily rob him. Finally, the farmer decided to plant the tree far from his house, behind a distant barn. The first year, he went each day to look, but there was no fruit. The second and third year, he still didn't find any fruit on the tree. He grew angry with his brother. He returned to the orchard and accused his brother of giving him a tree that would not bear fruit. The city brother accompanied the farmer back to his farm. He observed where the farmer had planted the tree. " You are a fool, brother, " he said. " You chose a place where the winds are cold, and where there is no sun to help the tree make flowers and fruit. You planted this tree with greed and mistrust. With such an attitude, you can expect nothing from this tree! "