The Old Man and the Durian Tree In a very quiet little village, lived an old man whose age was over 80 years old. He was planting a durian tree when a neighbour observed him. The neighbour asked the old man, “Do you expect to eat durian from that tree? The durian tree will take about 8 years to bear fruit.” The old man rested on his spade and smiled. He said, “No, at my age I know I won’t. All my life I have been enjoying durians, but never from a tree I have planted before. I wouldn’t have had durians if other men haven’t done what I’m doing now. I am just trying to pay the other men who have planted durians for me.” No wonder he looked so happy. We should give first and can get something in return. We will not only get what we want but will actually be really happy in the end, because we need to sow first before we can reap. What can we learn from the text?

Question

The Old Man and the Durian Tree

In a very quiet little village, lived an old man whose age was over 80 years old. He was planting a durian tree when a neighbour observed him. The neighbour asked the old man, “Do you expect to eat durian from that tree? The durian tree will take about 8 years to bear fruit.”

The old man rested on his spade and smiled. He said, “No, at my age I know I won’t. All my life I have been enjoying durians, but never from a tree I have planted before. I wouldn’t have had durians if other men haven’t done what I’m doing now. I am just trying to pay the other men who have planted durians for me.” No wonder he looked so happy.

We should give first and can get something in return. We will not only get what we want but will actually be really happy in the end, because we need to sow first before we can reap.

What can we learn from the text?