There once was a man who had four sons. He always endeavored to teach them about those virtues that are necessary to developing an exemplary character. One day the father decided that it was time for them to learn about not judging things and coming to conclusions too quickly for he knew that we too often judge things based on what is outside of our content of understanding. As such, the father decided to test his sons. He sent them each on a quest to study a pear tree that was located a great distance away from their home. Each he would send at different seasons of the year.
The first son he sent during the coldest part of winter. The second was dispatched in the spring; the third journeyed in summer. Finally, the youngest son was directed to go during autumn.
Once they had gone and returned, the father called them all together and asked each to describe what they had observed.
The first son said that the tree was bent, twisted and ugly.
The second son reported that it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed with both his siblings. He described the tree as being laden with blossoms that smelled sweet and looked beautiful. He likened it to a work of art, calling it striking and alluring to one’s eye.
The fourth son argued that all his brothers were incorrect in their assessment of the tree. He said that the tree was ripe and laden with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
After hearing all of his son’s renderings of what each had observed, the father smiled and responded that all were, in fact, correct, yet also incorrect. “That is so,” he said, “because each of you saw but only one season of the tree’s life.”
“My sons,” he continued, “my hope is that, through this experience, each of you have learned this valuable lesson: one cannot judge a tree, a person, or one’s situation in life by only one season. The essence of who one truly is, and the pleasure, joy, and love that comes from one’s life can only be measured at its end, when all of its seasons are completed. And, one’s circumstance, like seasons, can change many times throughout the years of our mortal lives.
If you give up when its winter, you will surely miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the fulfillment of your autumn.”
What then is the good of drawing conclusions from a single experience? I don’t deny we sometimes draw the right conclusions, but don’t we just as often draw the wrong ones?
Have an AWE-full Weekend!
William J. “Bill” Bacqué