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Near an apple tree grew a rose bush. The rose bush saw how much she was admired and said, “who can compare with me, and who is as worthy as I am? My flowers are beautiful to the sight and sweet to the nostrils. True, the apple tree is bigger than I, but what pleasure does he give to mankind?”<br/>When the apple tree heard this, he said, “Even though you are worthier than I in the beauty of your blossoms and the sweetness of your smell, you are less worthy in goodness of heart and friendliness.”<br/>“Tell me,” the rose bush said, “what is the evidence of your goodness?”<br/>And the apple tree answered: “You do not give your flowers to man unless you first wound him with your thorns. But I give my fruit to all, even to those who throw stones at me.”<br/> |
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