April 13, 2009

Seasons Of Life



There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that each of them had reported correctly, because they had each seen but one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season,and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end,when all the seasons are passed.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, the fulfillment of your fall.

Moral: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult seasons and better ones are sure to come.


"To everything there is a season,a time for every purpose under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV


*Originally posted August 24, 2007

12 comments:

Roxi said...

Jan- It is so easy to be depressed in the winter. But that was a really great story. It really makes you think about the wonderful seasons. I really love the spring and the colors of the fall. You have a really great day. Thank you for that uplifting story. The weather was pretty good this weekend, except for Sunday and Monday. It was rainy and gloomy. Depressing, but I didn't let it get me down, because I was home with my Baby. I gotta go to work. You have a great day. Talk to you later. Roxi

povertyflatsusa said...

Jan, like most things of value, your stories just keep getting better with time. You have really touched the innermost part of my heart with this one. Spring is, and always has been my personal favorite because of the new life that comes forth. However, all the seasons have their purpose as God intended. We need to focus on the individual beauty of each.
Have a wonderful day. DM

sue said...

So very true... I keep telling myself that, every season.

Sam said...

"To everything there is a season..."

So true...

Gypsy Butterfly said...

Hello Jan,
Thank you so much for that story! I loved it and it makes so much sense!
It's also so true.
Wishing you a very nice day!
Lydia

Dazd said...

Wonderful story Jan...and so true with everything in life.

Spring is here!!!! ***does the springtime dance***

Jan said...

Roxie..yes, it is easy to become depressed, at times.

I think springtime is my favorite, because it seems to offer promises of better things to come.

I'm glad you enjoyed the story. :)

Jan said...

DM..thank you for the kind words.

You are right about what you said..I couldn't have said it better myself! :)

Jan said...

Sue..I know you've been through a lot.

I pray that things are better..that your good seasons are coming up!

Jan said...

Lydia..I'm glad you enjoyed the story!

I hope all is well with you. :)

Jan said...

Dazd..thank you so much!

I'd really like to see that dance! :)

Jan said...

Sam..hey! :)

I almost missed your comment!

I hope you are well!