A
boy visited a pet store to purchase a puppy. He was shown different varieties
of pet puppies. But he selected a weak, lame and limping puppy lying alone in a
corner. The manager explained that it was handicapped, but the boy showed him
his own crutches which he had to use as support during walking. He said,
"That poor, little puppy needs me and I need him. We need each
other."
The evergreen giant redwood trees (Sequoia
sempervirens) of California are often so high( maximum height = 379.3 feet or 115.6 m) that their tops are not seen clearly from the ground. They
are large (with a diameter up to 26
feet or 7.9 m). Still these trees
have an amazingly shallow root system.
Their roots remain near the surface soil and do not go deep (maximum depth is
about 13 feet only). But these
majestic trees can withstand even strong storms with ease. Their surprising
stability is caused by 'co-operative growth' or the 'grove factor'.
The
trees grow in close proximity to each other. The roots of a tree spread out in
all directions (extending to up to 100
feet from the trunk) and get tangled up with the roots of the neighbouring
trees. The intertwining of the roots of the trees which grow together protects
each tree from the onslaughts of nature like harsh winds and raging floods.
Trees in forests of redwoods have lasted for up to two thousand years but a solitary
tree may not last long.
The
growth of the Sequoia trees is a model for any family, community, congregation or
society. A group grows to reach a stable state only when the members are knit
together in love and harmony. Firm fellowship enables a family to withstand the
winds of temptation or hardship.
Our spiritual life can progress and flourish
only with the sincere support of others, especially when we face difficulties
and crises in life. A community provides support and solidarity to its members.
We should display three major qualities: Daring, Caring and Sharing. We
should have the courage to face adverse conditions. We must show care and
kindness to each other, especially to the weak, the sick and the poor. We
should be ready to share our possessions with those in greater need. We may
give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. Sir Winston Churchill
said, "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
............................................................................................................
© By Prof. Dr.
Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Fine
Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former
Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally
and Neil John, Maniparambil,
Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally, Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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