The tale of the 3 trees

Came across a book which was so meaningful but could not be used for storytelling because of the religious sensitivity. In the story there were 3 trees. One aspired to be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world filled with precious stones and jewels . Another longed to be a large and sturdy ship that could help a powerful king build an empire. The third tree wanted to be the tallest tree on earth so that its height would remind people of heaven. Eventually the trees were felled but their ambitions took rather different routes.

The wood from the first tree was made into an ordinary trough to hold hay in a stable. Soon a shepherd and his heavily expectant wife came. The wooden trough served as a crib for their newborn child. The wood from the second tree was carved into a boat whereupon some fishermen were in when a storm struck. One of the men in the boat calmed the sea. The third tree was felled much to its dismay. Its wood however was made into 2 beams, one long and one short to form a cross. A man was nailed on this cross.

The story is very Christian indeed but has so much values embedded therein. If I were allowed to tell the story in a non religious context I would say the love and comfort provided for the newborn babe by the trough of hay brought more joy to the first tree than any precious stones would. I would then describe how the boat which carried the fishermen had a bountiful catch and provided food to the villagers instead of the sufferings a conqueror's ship would have brought. Hmm.... what about the cross? Well maybe one can say that during a crucifixion the cross suffered as much if not more pain as the person being crucified, in particular the cross that held a person by the name of Jesus. Because of its compassion it too was reaching out to heaven.

Most important of all however is knowing that each and every one of us has a meaning to be in the world, no matter how difficult or seemingly humble the role may be.