There was an old apple tree in a farmer’s garden. It was so old that it had stopped bearing fruit a long time ago. The only purpose it served was to provide shelter to the sparrows, grasshoppers and squirrels in the neighbourhood. One day, the farmer decided to cut the tree down. He felt it had become completely useless. Besides, he wanted to get some furniture made and what better way to ensure the wood supply from the tree? The wood was still strong.
So, taking a sharp axe in his hand, the farmer struck at the roots of the tree.
At once there was a great commotion among the many creatures who inhabited the tree. The grasshoppers, the sparrows and the squirrels came out of their dwelling places
“Please don’t chop and destroy my home and kids.” Cried the squirrel.
“Please don’t chop and destroy my nest,” cried the little birds.
“Please Don’t cut the apple tree.” cried the grasshopper.
The farmer, however, forgot his childhood and his animal friends. He began to chop the tree harder. All the little boy animals became desperate and wanted to protect the apple tree at any cost.
The little animals said, “We will sing for you when you are toiling away in the fields. We will look after your little boy. He will not cry, but instead will like our songs and will not feel tired.”
However, their cries for help fell on deaf ears. Despite all their requests, the farmer continued to chop down the tree.
All of a sudden, he noticed something shiny. On inspecting it, he realized that it was a beehive, full of honey. He took a little and put it in his mouth. The taste of the honey woke up the little boy in him. Suddenly, the back. The honey tasted so good that he wanted more. It brought a sense of happiness to him. He smiled and exclaimed, this tastes amazing.”
Realizing the change in the farmer’s attitude, the little animals spoke in unison. The bee said, “I will always provide you with sweet honey.” The squirrel said, “I will share any amount of nuts that you want.” The birds cried, “We will sing as many songs as you want.
Finally, the farmer realized his folly and put down his axe. He understood that the tree was home to many lovely animals that provided him with so many things. He wanted his little boy to have the childhood that he had.
The farmer realized that the apple tree was not that fruitless. The little boy in him saved the apple tree.
He threw away the axe and said to the little creatures, Ï promise that I would never cut this tree. I have realized my mistake and you all can now live in peace and harmony.
The little creatures thanked the bee profusely. If the farmer had not found the beehive, they would have been homeless by now. They would have been homeless by now. They continued living happily in the old apple tree.
Moral: Each and every living thing in nature is of some use: we should not destroy any living thing.