Parable of the Trees
The trees hoped
they could be
ruled
with honor
by the olive tree.
Or
with the sweetness
of good times
by the fig tree.
Or
comforted
by
the strength of
the vine.
But to
the olive tree,
the fig tree,
and
the vine,
governing
the forest
was
beneath them.
It was
effortless
for them
to produce
what
the world wanted.
But to
deal with
their community
with its
petty squabbles,
their
problems,
and
divisive
politics,
they worried
it would
sap all
their strength.
So,
after being rejected by
the olive tree,
the fig tree,
and
the vine,
the trees of the forest asked
the bramble
“Why should you be our leader?”
“First,”
the bramble said,
“Unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
I produce nothing.
I must rely on your support.
“Next,
unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
whose roots grow deep and stubborn,
my roots are shallow.
You must allow me to
compromise
so we can survive.”
“And finally,
unlike
the olive tree,
the fig tree
and
the vine,
you can
live under
my thorns.”
“And if push comes to shove,
let my branches
become the
tinder
to start
the fires of war.”
So began the reign
of the Bramble King.
