Stronger Roots, Better Crop

Got told a story today and here’s how it goes –

There was once a farmer who had spent all his life worshipping God. He was a good man who had earned respect with hard work. One day, the God got so happy with his dedication, he showed himself to the farmer and asked him – “Tell me a wish you’d want true”.

The farmer humbly replied – “I want you to empower me with the control of air, water, soil and light for next 6 months so I can get a better crop this year. I seriously believe that you are a pretty dumb farmer else you would never bake my fields with sun when I planned to plant the seeds or blow them away with the wind when I try to get them to stand up”.

God replied – “OK. Done”!

The farmer worked day in and out to give this crop of his, all the special attention it needed, shielded it from hard sun, harsher wind and killer rain. 6 months later, he looked at the most amazing crop he had ever seen. It grew taller, bouncier and hell, even shinier!

He decided to take a closer look. As he examined it, he found that the crop was empty. There was no produce, just plants. He got angry and frustrated and as he had used up his 6 months, God appeared.

He then asked God what went wrong when he had taken care of the crops like his own babies. God replied – “You know son, you did everything right except for the winds. I blew your crop with winds, so they could dig deeper in every direction and have stronger roots. Stronger roots means better produce. Therefore, your crop is shallow for it never got the winds that could make it stronger”.

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Moral of the story –

Stronger roots may yield shorter plants but they are stronger as they have faced their share of challenges.

You know how you can relate to it, for it’s like raising a child himself. You see that little creäture and as a parent, you give the best cover possible. You save him, serve him, fulfil him, take him away from dangers all the while making him weak. I remember I’d never tasted mineral water till I started travelling alone. I was 18 then.

Challenges and rightful fights build character. They build heart and strength. My father let me take care of my brother from an age, the number of which I can’t even remember. It taught me a lot. Respect, love, and holding hands when it mattered. It built in me an understanding of people and relations. I’d know who’d stand for me and when. I learned to stand alone. A better crop.