Vageesh Express
Fable of the Month
Tree God and Grass God
- Varsha Das
One depressed carpenter sat under a tree resting his back against
the tree trunk. Immediately he realized that the trunk was quite broad and
strong...
King
Brahmadatta of
Hiding in the foliage of this tree was the Tree God. He lived there with his
two little children. Near the tree was a patch of thick green grass.
Bodhisattva, in that life was born as the Grass God. His home was also smaller
because he in the midst of thin tiny grass blades. One day the small Grass God
went to make friends with the big Tree God. They soon grew fond of each other.
One day, the king noticed that one of the main wooden pillars of the palace had
turned hollow! Hundreds of white ants had made the pillar their home! The king
summoned 6 carpenters and showing the pillar to them said, "Look, this
pillar will crack in no time. It supports the palace. I would you like you to
find the best and the strongest tree trunk to replace the hollow pillar at the
earliest."
All the 6 carpenters set out to look for a strong, tall tree. They went in different
directions and examined each and every big tree they came across.
Unfortunately, not a single tree was found suitable. After having explored the
whole kingdom the carpenters returned to the palace. They were scared of
reporting their failure to the king, but there was no choice. The king wanted
the best wood and there was none suitable!
The king's men asked the carpenters to wait in the garden because the king was
taking a nap. They were told that they would be called in as soon as the king
was ready for his evening meetings. The carpenters went to the garden. They
were tired and disheartened. They stretched themselves on the grass and looked
around. The garden was full of magnificent trees.
This
was the only place not yet explored by them. They stood up and started
examining the tree trunks. Alas! No tree was suitable to become the pillar of
the palace. Some were tall but their trunk was not broad enough. Some were
broad but not tall enough for a pillar. And some others did not have a solid strong
trunk. Even the king's garden could not provide a suitable tree!
One depressed carpenter sat under a tree resting his back against the tree
trunk. Immediately he realized that the trunk was quite broad and strong. He
got up and noticed that the tree was very tall. "Oh, this is the
one," he exclaimed and jumped with joy. He called his friends and showed
them the majestic tree standing in the middle of the palace garden in all its
grandeur!
All the carpenters examined the tree carefully and thought they had finally
found the tree suitable for the pillar of the palace. Since it belonged to the
palace garden they required the King's permission to cut it. They met the
caretaker of the garden. The senior most carpenter of the group spoke to him in
a somewhat apologetic voice, "The king has asked us to replace one vital
pillar of the palace. He wants us to use the best tree trunk. We have explored
the whole kingdom but we could not find any tree that could match his
need."
The caretaker looked at the other 5 carpenters. They looked sad and worried.
The caretaker, feeling sorry for them asked, "How will you face the king?
Are you going to report your failure? He will be very unhappy."
"Yes,
we know that. Precisely for that reason we have come to you," said another
carpenter.
"Do you see that majestic tree in the middle of the garden? That is the only tree suitable for the pillar," said the third one.
The caretaker was shocked to hear that and exclaimed "Oh no. That's
impossible! It’s our king's favorite tree. How dare you talk about that
tree?"
The carpenters had no other option but to have direct talk with the king. The
king was up. He was sitting in the balcony enjoying the beautiful view of the
garden. He saw a group of carpenters approaching the palace gate. He called
them in and asked, "So, what news do you have for me?"
The senior carpenter mustered courage and said, "We have examined each and
every tree of the kingdom. There is only one tree which is strong and suitable
for the pillar, but it cannot be cut."
”You can't cut that tree. That is my tree. It gives me joy and comfort. No, not
that tree." The king expressed his denial in so many words.
The carpenter folded his hands and told the king, "In that case the pillar
cannot be replaced."
The king was silent for a while. Then he took a deep breath and said,
"Well, if that is the case, I guess, I will have to give you the
permission to cut it. The whole palace will collapse if that pillar gives
way."
The king, most willingly, gave permission to cut the tree, and asked his men to
plant two more of the same kind, at the same place.
The carpenters left happily. They went back to the garden to examine the tree
once again. They also discussed their plans for the next day. Each one was
asked to reach the garden with his tools soon after sunrise.
The Tree God heard their conversation in alarm. He cried on the shoulder of his
friend, the Grass God, "Today I heard that my tree will be cut tomorrow
morning. Where will I go with my children? This tree is my life. I will die if
the tree dies. Please help me. My friend, please help me."
"Bur why?" asked the Grass God. He too was shocked. "I have no
idea." The Tree God began to shed tears.
"Please don't cry. Let me think of something to save you." The Grass
God comforted his friend. Then he closed his eyes, as if in prayer. And like a
bolt of lighting, an idea came to his mind.
"I think I will be able to help you. I will not say anything right
now, but you will see my trick tomorrow," assured the Grass God.
The Tree God went back to his children. He could hardly sleep at night. Next
morning, the Grass God transformed himself into a chameleon. He saw the
carpenters going towards the tree. They kept their tools on the ground and
worshipped the tree. They even made some offerings.
While
they were busy with their rituals the chameleon, using his divine powers
entered the tree trunk from the roots and went up, as if the tree trunk was
hollow like a tunnel! Then he peeped out of the trunk right in front of the
senior most carpenters.
"How can this chameleon come out of the solid trunk?" he wondered. He
asked others to see this unusual sight. They all agreed that the trunk was
hollow, and therefore not suitable for the pillar. Feeling extremely sad they
left the garden with their tools. The tree was not cut. They had to look for
some other tree for the royal palace.
The Tree God expressed his deep gratitude to the Grass God. He said with all
humility, "Although I am bigger and stronger than grass, I guess, I lack
wisdom to protect myself. One must make friends with others; no matter how big
or small they may seem. A 'big' can be small and a 'small' can be big. Each one
is capable of helping others in one's own way!"
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