A BOY AND AN APPLE TREE

A long time ago, there was a huge apple tree. It loved a little boy very much. The boy loved to come and play around it everyday.

The boy used to collect leaves from the tree to make into a crown. He would act like a King. Besides, the little boy also liked to climb to the tree top. He loved to grab on to the tree branches and to swing like a monkey. The little boy also loved to pluck the apples from the tree. He would then eat them. He would often take a nap under the cool shadow of the apple tree. He loved the tree and the tree was so happy!

The years passed. Time went by…

One day, the boy came back to the tree.

The tree said, “Come and play with me”.

“I am no longer a kid. I do not play around a tree anymore. I want toys. I need money to buy them,” said the boy.

The tree said, “Sorry, but I do not have money… but you can pick all my apples and sell them. So you will have money.”

The boy was so excited. He grabbed all the apples on the tree and left happily. The tree was happy.

The boy never came back for a long time after he had picked the apples. The tree was sad.

One day, the boy who had then grown into a man, returned and the tree was excited.

“Come and play with me,” the tree said.

“I do not have time to play. I have to work for my family. We need a house for shelter. Can you help me?”, the man asked.

“Sorry, but I do not have any house. But you can chop off my branches to build your house,” the tree said.

So the man cut all the branches of the tree and left happily.

The tree was glad to see him happy but the man never came back for a long, long time. The tree was again lonely and sad.

One hot Summer day, the man returned and the tree was delighted.

“Come and play with me!” the tree said.

“I am getting old. I want to go sailing to relax myself. Can you give me a boat?” the man asked.

“Use my trunks to build your boat,” the tree said, “You can sail far away and be happy”.

So the man cut the tree’s trunks to make a boat. He went sailing and never showed up for a long time.

The tree seemed to be happy but the happiness was not real.

Finally the man returned after many years.

“Sorry my boy, but I do not have anything for you anymore. No more apples for you…” the tree said.

“No problem. I do not have any teeth to bite,” the man replied.

“No more trunks for you to climb on,” the tree said.

“I am too old for that now,” the man said.

“I really cannot give you anything… the only thing left is my dying roots,” the tree said with tears.

“I do not need much now, just a place to rest. I am tired after all these years,” the man replied.

“Good! Old tree roots are the best place to lean on and rest. Come, come sit down with me and rest.”

The man sat down and the tree was glad and smiled with tears…

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Everybody has “Apple Tree” in his/her life, which is OUR PARENTS…
When we were young, we loved to play with our Mom and Dad.
When we grow up, we need their helps to continue our lives.
We leave them, and only come to them when we need something or when we are in trouble.
No matter what, our parents will always be there and give everything they could just to make us happy.

You may think the boy/man is cruel to the tree, but that is how many of sons and daughters nowadays treat their parents.

Guys, do not take them for granted.. Please appreciate all that your parents have done for you. No matter how busy you are, share some time with your parents!

Always remember… we owe a lot to our parents who given us their time, care and love through the years. Filial piety and gratitude are noble and great spiritual virtues to cultivate. We must show our gratitude to our parents and people who care for us. Don’t hesitate! Don’t wait until it is too late…

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“And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour. And lower unto them the wing of submission and humility through mercy, and say: My Lord! Bestow on them Your Mercy as they did bring me up when I was small.” (Al-Isra': 23-25)

Rasulullah SAW said that Jibril AS said: "Woe unto him in whose presence his parents or either one of them attains old age, and (through failure to serve them) he is not allowed to enter 'Jannah". To this Rasulullah SAW said “Aamiin”!