Thursday 10 May 2007

WHAT HAVE YOU PLANTED IN LIFE?

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I am going to share a short story with you guys. This story struck my mind when I visited some of the blogs here regarding Cheaters and Screw Ups.

An elderly King knew that his time was about to end. He knew that all his children were either spoilt or have no interest at all in ruling his kingdom. So, he decided that someone different and wise should become his successor. He then gathered all the youth in his kingdom to his palace and told them what he had in mind.

Everyone was shocked but got excited over his decision. He said, “I am going to give each one of you a special seed today” “Plant the seed and water it daily” “Come back here one year’s time for me to judge, and I’ll choose the one whom will succeed me!”

There was this poor little village boy named Chris (can’t think of a name so I simply tembak lar…hehe). He ran home and excitedly told his mother about the King’s request. As what a mother would do to help her son, she helped him to plant the seed. Chris watered it daily with waited patiently for the seed to grow.

After a month, every youth in the kingdom began to talk about their seeds and how well their plants were growing. Chris kept checking on his seed, but nothing seems to be blooming from his pot. Months passed by and Chris still has nothing and he felt like a failure. Every youth in the kingdom was bragging about how beautiful and tall their plants were and they laughed at Chris’s empty pot. However, Chris did not shout back at his friends and sat there sadly waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and everyone brought their plants to the palace for the king’s inspection. Chris did not want to go to the palace but his mother told him that “Be honest about what has happened, there nothing to be ashamed of, be yourself”. Chris knew that his mother was right and took his empty pot to the palace.

When Chris arrived at the palace, he was stunned to see so many varieties of plants and of different shapes and sizes. Chris put his empty pot on the floor and he was laughed at by the other youth. Finally, the King arrived and surveyed the ballroom. Chris tried to hide in the back because he was afraid to be humiliated further by the King.

Suddenly, the King spotted Chris at the back of the ballroom with his empty pot and ordered his guards to bring him forward to his throne. Chris was horrified. Fears and wild thoughts rushed into his mind, "The King is going to kill me because I’m such a failure.” When Chris got to the front, the King asked for his name. "My name is Chris," he replied. Everyone was laughing and making fun of him then. One sharp stare from the King and everyone quiet down. The King then took Chris’s hand and announced to the crowd, "Behold your new King! His name is Chris!" Chris again was stunned. He could not even grow his seed and how could he be the new king?

The King then said, "A year ago, I told you all to plant the seed until it grew, and bring it back to me today for inspection. I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow at all. All of you have substituted the seed with another seed. Chris was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who deserved be the new King!"

What’s the moral behind this short story?

Be yourself no matter how worst the scenario can be.
You are who you are and do not act as who you are not.

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

But,
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.


So, what seed have you decided to plant now? Choose carefully which seeds you are going to plant as it will determine what you will reap tomorrow. The seeds will determine your future, whether it’s going to be good or bad lies in your own hands now. You may not see the results immediately but someday, you will enjoy the fruits, the fruits of your actions.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

good story. a lesson to be learnt.

Anonymous said...

WOW.. Nice seed story.

CRIZ LAI said...

djcarmen: Isn't that we are supposed to do? Learning new things everyday?

kuanhoong: thanks for dropping by :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely story... the seeds of truth and honesty... :)

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