Inspirational Stories: The Carpenter and A Tree’s Last Wish
The Carpenter's Task
There lived a carpenter who was asked to make a grand chair for the King.
The carpenter went to the nearby forest and began selecting the right tree from which he could make a chair.
After much searching, he finally narrowed on an old teak tree.
The First Encounter
He went to the tree and said, “I am going to cut down you to make a chair for the King.”
The Tree's Question
“There were several trees in this forest. Why did you choose me?” the tree replied.
The Carpenter's Reason
“Yes, you are right, and I can see a lot of trees here. But, you are the oldest tree, and I think you are best suited to make the King’s chair.”
The Tree's First Wish
“Let me know your wish, if any. I will fulfil it before I cut you down.”
The tree thought for a while and replied, “Now it is the fall season.
All my leaves are gone now. I want to stay until spring and see the new leaves budding from my branches. Can you come after three months and cut me down?”
A Season of Renewal
The carpenter thought for a while
“No problem! I will come in 3 months,” the carpenter went back.
Three months passed. Meanwhile, new leaves were budding in the tree. The carpenter came to cut the tree.
A Second Request
“Dear Carpenter! Thanks for giving me 3 months.
All my emptied and dried-out branches are now filled with new leaves.
I enjoyed that feeling. If you can give me three more months, I can enjoy the feeling of fully grown green leaves covering my branches completely.
Would it be possible for you to come after 3 months?”
“Ok. I will come again after 3 months,” the carpenter didn’t object and returned.
The Tree in Full Bloom
Three months have passed by now.
The carpenter again came in search of the tree.
He saw that lively green leaves fully covered the tree. It was a pleasant view to watch.
Flowers have started blooming in the tree.
The Tree’s Next Wish
The tree said, “The flowers have started blooming. I wanted to see how they transform into fruits.
I want to experience this transformation one last time. So, could you please come after 3 months?”
The carpenter agreed and left the place.
The Fruits of Patience
Once again, 3 months passed, and the carpenter came back.
“Dear Carpenter! Thank you very much.
I enjoyed the feeling of new leaves budding from my branches, blooming flowers and how they transformed into fruits.
People ate my fruits and praised me for the taste.
I also helped many travellers as a resting stop to avoid the hot sun.
This gave me a new perspective on life.
I have one final wish, and you can do whatever you want.”
The Final Wish
“Tell me, what do you want?”
“I need three more months.”
“Why?”
“Now I feel complete. I don’t have anything to regret. However, I want to see how leaves fall off me during the Fall season.”.
A Year of Fulfillment
The carpenter again waited for 3 months and came back.
Now, the tree has lost all of its green cover and is fully dried out. The carpenter approached that tree..
A Farewell of Gratitude
“Dear Carpenter! I don’t have any words to express my gratitude to you.
You have done me a great help. Though I am the oldest tree here, I lived only since last year.
Over these years, I have seen my leaves fall off, new leaves budding, and flowers turn into fruits.
But only during this year, I enjoyed every moment of my life.
Thank you for fulfilling all my wishes. Now you can cut me down!”
The carpenter duly obliged
A Lesson for Life
Every day, we should enjoy and live our lives to the fullest. Time won’t wait to give us another chance, unlike the carpenter who gave it to the tree. Nobody can go back and live yesterday’s life. Every second counts.
