Sunday, February 26, 2012
A Magical Seed

Once upon a time, there was a seed as huge as a plum. It was green and cute. All the people who’ve seen it would definitely like to have one of their own. It was told that the seed could sprout into leaves like jade and flowers like gem. Other than that, it carries a pleasant aroma as well. None of the flowers in the world could compare to it. However, no one’s ever planted it, hence no one’s ever seen how it looks like. It seemed to be just a rumour.

Soon, the rumour spread to the ears of The King. The King ordered “I have all kinds of flowers in my garden. No matter if it’s the white flowers from the North, or the giant lotus from the South, I’ve had it all. These seemed to be too… easy. Isn’t it great that we’ve now found ourselves such a lovely creature on Earth? There’s only one of it in the whole wide world, I must have it!”

As the guards retrieved the seed for the King, they were ordered to plant it in a pot made of jade. Tonnes of florists were asked to take good care of the plant, and so they’ve given it the best fertilizer and soil they could ever provide. Each morning, the King would personally bring the pot out from his room to the terrace for sunlight. At night, he’d bring it back into the room by himself. As the season turns chilly, he’d order the guards to keep his beloved plant warm by the fireplace.

The rumour of this ‘magical seed’ has got all over the King’s mind. He’d even dream of hugging his lovely plant sometimes. The King would sit by the side of the pot, anticipating for something magical to burst into his quiet chamber.

Time flies. Two years have gone by unknowingly. It was a lovely morning as Spring opened up a garden full of sprouting plants and flowers. However, the seed did not seem to have a single bit of growth. The King said “My lovely sprouts, please don’t be late.” Soon, it was Autumn. As the rest of his plants blossomed into flowers, the King held his pot and said “My magical seed, please grow…” Sadly, nothing changes. Out of impatience, the King got mad and he yelled “Stupid seed! You’re useless! I should have thrown you away!” Without a second thought, he grasped the seed out of the soil with his bare hand. The seed looked the same as it was two years ago. Looking at seed furiously, the King discarded it out of his window. The seed fell into the garden’s lake at the end.

The King’s royal lake leads to streams that flow towards the fishermen’s village. So the seed travelled along the streams and ended up in the village. Coincidentally, a fisherman was fishing at the very moment. As he pulled his fishing net up, the seed was dragged along with the fishes. Not knowing any information regarding the seed, the fisherman intended to sell it.

A wealthy man heard the fisherman’s call and came towards him. That wealthy man smiled widely as if there was an orange in his mouth as he saw the seed. He said to the fisherman “In my mansion, I have jewels, pearls, gold and anything that’s valuable. But these days, I’ve been thinking that there are wealthy men everywhere. It doesn’t make me any special. But with this seed, it’s different. If I could make it grow and blossom, I’d have a plant that no one’s ever had! This way I’d be greater than all the other wealthy man. Hahaha….”

After he bought the seed, he took actions similar to the King. He hired 4 florists who were picked out from 300 who’ve taken a test he prepared. The test consists of the difficult questions regarding the knowledge of all plants. The ones who were picked will be well paid. Since then, the florists took care of the seed with all their attention. Likewise, they’ve given the best soil and fertilizer for the seed. They’ve done whatever they could think of.

The wealthy man thought to himself “With my plans, the seed will be sprouting faster than any other plants. And when it blooms, I shall have a feast. By that time, I will invite all the other wealthy men and show them what I’ve got! How delightful!” Impatiently, he marched himself towards the pot, expecting leaves like jade. However, there was nothing but soil in the pot.

Two years have gone by. It was Spring again. The wealthy man counted the days and the date of his feast was arriving really soon. He sat by the pot and said “Please, I beg you to sprout!” Summer drifted away and Autumn’s arrived. It was about time for his feast, but there was still nothing growing out of the pot! “They are coming to my feast! Please, sprout! Will you?” Nothing’s ever changed. The man got angry like the King did. Likewise, he dug out the seed and threw it out of his mansion.

Leaping across the walls, the seed ended up in a hawker’s stall. The hawker picked up the seed and said “Oh! It’s that magical seed! I’m going to be rich!” With his greatest speed, the hawker planted the seed beside his stall. He’d keep an eye on the seed each day on his business. Soon, a year’s gone by and nothing came out of the ground. So he began to yell “I must be crazy! Nothing will ever grow out of that! It must be dead! Useless seed!” Out of his anger, he took the seed out and kicked it aside.

Without any attention, the seed laid on the street for a day. On the next day, a scavenger was cleaning the street. He swept the seed along with the trash. Then he left them at a corner near a military camp. A soldier noticed the seed and he said to himself “What a rare opportunity! I’m going to be promoted!” Without being noticed, he quietly planted the seed next to his camp. Every night, he’d squad down and look at the soil, hoping for something. Whenever his fellow soldiers asked him for the reason he looked at the ground, he’d say nothing.

A year’s gone by again but there was nothing coming out from the ground. The soldier got disappointed and said “It’s been a year, but there’s nothing. I must not waste my time on it anymore.” So he dug out the seed and tossed it with all the energy he had.

The tossed seed flew like a bird and landed on a green field of wheat.
There was a young farmer, a sun-burnt boy plowing. He worked under a steamy hot sun, but there was a smile on his face.

As he noticed the presence of the seed, he said to himself “Wow, what a cute seed. I should get it planted.” So he dug a hole and buried the seed somewhere near to the wheat field.

Everyday, he’d work as usual under the hot sun without a single complaint. As for the seed, he’d water it as usual when it’s needed. He never failed to take care of the seed like he’s taken care of his wheat field.

A few days later, a young green sprout emerged out of the ground right at the place where the young farmer’s planted the seed! Days after, he worked as usual as the little sprout grows into a tiny tree that shines like a jade. A flower bud danced out of the leaves. At first it was just the size of a small plum, but soon, it grew larger and larger into the size an apple, a melon. When it finally grew into the size of a water melon, it blooms into a charming flower! It has numerous red petals with a golden core at the center. It releases a delightful aroma that stays on anyone who passed by it!

The young farmer did not get really surprise as the other people who have anticipated for the magical seed. He worked in the field as usual. Sometimes as he passed by the flower, he’d stand there for a moment and smile at it. Even the villagers who passed by the flower would leave with a smile on their face. And the aroma of the flower would stay on their body for a long long time.



Postscript:

Gardening is a kind of knowledge. Different kind of plants may have different qualities according to their needs that vary from one another. Some plants could live under the hot sun in a dry desert, but some plants could only stay alive in the water. We could only have them growing healthily when we provide them what they need accordingly. It’s their nature.

In the story, we learned that only the young farmer succeeded in making the seed grow. But why? The seed had no eyes to judge or to choose who to grow for. I think that all of them failed because of their greed. They expected the seed to bring them great benefit, so they planted the seed with impatience. Greed has covered their eyes from seeing the needs of the flower. Those who are not sincere may not even have a satisfying achievement in the end.

On the other hand, the farmer’s provided a large space for the seed and he’d maintain the quality of the soil as he plows like what he’d done for the wheat field. A good condition was provided for the seed to grow. In other words, the seed experience all sort of friction as the farmer plows the field. It has experienced the fierce sunlight and thunderstorm like never before. It’s a similar principle when it comes to people. We must undergo certain challenge and hardship to unleash the potential in us. This is the true victory.

Speaking of flower, it reminded me of what I’ve recently learned about plum flower. They could be embraced in the love of people because of their strong will and vitality. In each Winter, these plum flowers have to stand strong against harsh weather. No matter how cold it may be, they’ll never fall. As they overcame Winter’s challenge, they’re able of blossoming in Spring. Plum flowers have the spirit of persistence. This is why they possess a unique charm.

So please remember to treat every task of yours sincerely. We must face challenges with courage to achieve a great victory.


Shared by,
Words.

Labels:

Written at 5:18 PM by Paper Pilot.