The Oak and the Grasses

7 The Oak and the Grasses Have you ever met people who are rigid and will not yield to anyone or anything? They think they know what is right and, no matter what, you cannot get them to change their mind. They are set in their ways, and according to them, nothing will harm them. Their motto for life is, “ I am right, and I will not bend. " On the other hand, you have probably also met those who are flexible. They listen to all sides of an issue, and are not afraid to change their minds when they're wrong about something. They're not afraid to bend and bow their heads. In a crisis, they seem calm and ready to adjust to any situation. That was the way it was one day when the mighty oak tree had a conversation with the little grasses growing along the river's edge. Noticing that a bird had built its nest on these grasses, the oak laughed aloud.

" How weak and pathetic you are! " said the oak. " That nest is nearly breaking your back. You're so weak! Surely, even a small, light wind will blow you over and toss you into the river. " Upon hearing this, the grasses did not grow angry at all. They simply told the oak not to worry about them. “ We are not worried, " they said. “ We can bend and bow our heads, and no wind will be able to break us. Surely, it is you who should be worried about the wind. " The oak roared with laughter, barely able to contain his scorn for the grasses. “ I'm an oak! " he proclaimed. “ I'm tall and straight. I shall never bend to anything, especially the wind! " he said. That night, a terrible storm blew into the area. The grasses, true to their word, bent themselves in the wind, but the oak did not yield. The wind grew heavier and finally broke the tree into many pieces, tossing it into the river. When the sun rose the next morning, there were the grasses, gently blowing and bending, and enjoying the wonderful sunshine.