The little seed

Buried deep beneath the soil, the little seed was trapped in darkness, overwhelmed with fear and anxiety: “Will I ever live to see the sunlight?”

Days passed, and the more the little seed tried to grow, the more the soil held it back. The sunlight felt further and further away. The seed was exhausted. He didn’t know how to hold on until the day it would finally break through. He wanted to give up — if all its efforts was a waste, wouldn’t it be easier to just stop trying?

Just then, a voice echoed from deep within the soil: “If you feel exhausted, rest as long as you need. Then keep going. But don’t give up.”

Like a warm beam of light, the voice rekindled hope in the little seed’s despairing heart. Though it didn’t know where the voice came from, he gave the seed the strength to keep growing.

But hardships didn’t end there. A violent storm swept through the land, toppling many of the seed’s plant companions. Losing its friends, the little seed cried for a long time. Once again, the thought of giving up crept in.

And once again, that warm voice returned: “I know your pain, but don’t be afraid. I am here with you.”

The voice was strong yet gentle, like the first warmth of spring in the dead of winter. That warmth gave the little seed strength to keep growing.

Days turned into countless seasons, and the seed faced many more hardships. Every time it reached the brink of despair, the voice would always whisper:

“You’re so close to the sunlight. Please don’t give up.”

“You’re doing great! Keep going.”

“I am right here with you.”

Effort always bears fruit. One day, at long last, the little seed saw a sliver of sunlight.

It was a bright and breezy afternoon. Underneath the now-grown tree, a girl with a heavy heart wrapped her arms around its trunk and broke into sobs. The tree embraced her with its warmth and whispered, “It’s okay. I’m here. I will always be here.”

Most people cannot hear the voice of a tree, but those who hug them can. The girl heard it. She continued to cry until she was drained, then sat beneath the tree to rest.

“Thank you, big tree. I feel so much better now.”

“Of course. I am here to keep you company.”

“I was so lost and lonely… I didn’t know what else to do, so I came here to cry. I’m so glad you were here. We’re so lucky to have trees.”

“You’re always welcome. Remember, I will always be here. When you feel hopeless, come rest under my branches. Once you’ve regained your strength, you can continue forward.”

That little seed from long ago had finally broken through the soil and grown tall, only to realize — the voice that had comforted it all along had come from the towering tree beside it. Filled with gratitude, it vowed to keep growing, to one day become a great tree itself, offering encouragement to the seeds still buried in the earth, nurturing the land, and protecting humankind.

This was the story the girl heard from the tree. Nature is always filled with warmth and love.