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The Apple, the Strawberry, and the Rose
by Kevin Ahern
The apple said to the strawberry, "You grow on the ground, your seeds are on the outside and you become ripe in the spring. You have it all backwards. What I do is perfect, so I think you should become just like me."
The strawberry said to the apple, "But you grow on a tree, your seeds are on the inside and you become ripe in the fall. That is all wrong. I think you should be just like me."
Nearby, a rose was listening and asked the apple, "What makes you special?"
The apple said, "I grow on a tree, my seeds are on the inside and I become ripe in the fall. What I do is perfect."
The rose asked the strawberry, "What makes you special?"
The strawberry said, "I grow on the ground, my seeds are on the outside and I become ripe in the spring. What I do is perfect."
The rose asked the apple, "What is your purpose?"
The apple answered, "I produce fruit to nourish other living things, and what is not used goes to nourish the ground."
The rose asked the strawberry, "What is your purpose?"
The strawberry answered, "I produce fruit to nourish other living things, and what is not used goes to nourish the ground."
The rose said, "You are both perfect. If the strawberries were to all become apples all would still be perfect, but there would be no more strawberries. Is that truly what the apple wants?"
The apple answered, "I would rather see the strawberry on the ground beneath my branches. Strawberry is quite beautiful"
The rose asked, "Would the strawberry want all apples to cease what they do to become strawberries?"
The strawberry answered, "I would rather have the apple tree providing shade and nourishing the ground I live on. Apple does give me great joy."
It is time that we come together and share what brings us joy. If what brings you joy would make me even happier how could I ever find that without you sharing your joy with me? If what brings you joy is not what I want, why should I not continue with what does bring me joy? If I see you happy and growing in what brings you joy, why would I want to change that? Share your knowledge, share your wisdom. Do not expect others to become just like you, expect them to find joy. All spiritual paths ultimately lead to the same goal. There are just many different experiences to relish along the way.
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