The Two Seeds

There was a great big open field out beyond the last row of mud houses in a quiet little village in India one time. We were early in spring. The earth had started to thaw after cold winter. There in the soil of that field were two wee seeds, fast asleep like little babies.

One morning by the warmth of the sun they were touched. The seed that was sown first began to move. The sun is on my head, said the prince. We have to expand.

The second seed winked in darkness. Grow? inquired she.

The first seed said, Yes. “I wish I could send my roots deep to the ground and my stem all the way up to the sky. I desire to view the world. One day I shall possibly have leaves, flowers… perhaps even fruits!”

The second seed was doubtful. She was not quite sure. What sayeth thou to hard ground? What would happen when I rush and crack? What would be when they know that it is unsafe up there?”

The initial seed grinned slightly. It may be a struggle. But we will never know untill, hare we a tore?

Nevertheless, the second seed did not say anything. She drew a doubler on herself, and did not know.

Thus, the second seed decided to wait, when the first seed started his way. He delved gingerly and cautiously at the ground with a small root, till about halfway down he encountered soil. Then strained and strained he pulled upwards. Daily he struggled up pebbles, insects and mud-holes. There were times that it rained so much and times that it did not rain at all. He never gave up though.

A long time later, one day, a little green shoot burst through the surface. The small seed grew to be a sapling, steadfast in the sun. He gazed, agog, on a ring of blue above – the sun up high, the birds cheering in the boughs, and a soft sway in the breeze against his newborn leaves.

A small girl came along with her grandmother hailing the neighbor village. She glanced, and then, with a smile, her finger in the direction of the diminutive plant. “Look, Daadi! Then a sapling starts to grow!

The plant danced in the wind proudly and alive.

Back underground the second seed continued huddled and frightened.

So many times she had thought of growing. But another time an uncertainty would spring up. What happens when there are storms? What happens when people will not see me? What happens in case I am not strong?

She remained, therefore, motionless. Days passed. Then weeks.

One day a squirrel chanced to hop into the field. He smelled hungry, and he searched for something delicious. He rummaged in the ground and there, as still as possible, there lay the second seed.

He ate her without thinking a second.

Bowrle finishing the second seed.

The small plant which was the first seed grew on. He was up against stiff winds, nimble goats which ate his foliage, and even experienced drought when he had to depend on the water at the bottom of the earth. But every time he made some adjustments. He was a stronger person after every obstacle.

Months glided by, and he made himself a fine plant, with broad green leaves, and little buds now all in readiness to bloom.

He thought of the other seed, and he was a bit sorry. She was every prospect he was. Her fear did not allow her to live.

And that is exactly life.

It is never without a risk. Worrying and avoiding risk does not make you safe. At times it deprives you of all things.

The original seed could have been waiting to get ideal conditions and he could still be rotting in the ground. But he risked. He threw himself against the earth, he confronted the unknown, and consequently, lived, he grew, and he saw the world.

So that was the distinction.

Moral of the Story

Don’t let fear stop you from growing. Life will always have risks, but waiting for the perfect moment often means doing nothing at all. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all.

Thanks for reading...