The Tree of Prosperity
Once upon a time, in the tranquil and fertile region of Copperton, there existed a wealthy farmer named Old Eli. The village folk of Copperton often spoke of Old Eli's immense wealth and unparalleled generosity.
Old Eli, too, was as fond of his villagers as they were of him. Every year he hosted a huge feast for everyone, where his farm's finest produce was utilized. Everyone loved these feasts, but no one quite understood Old Eli's vast fortune. He never sold his produce, nor did he trade it for other goods. He essentially only farmed for his own family and the village feast. Reap what you sow, he'd repeat, as if it were his mantra.
One day, a particularly ambitious villager, Dale, decided to unravel the mystery of Old Eli's wealth. He visited Eli and put forth his questions. Listening patiently, Old Eli merely chuckled in his gentle way. 'You see, Dale,' he began, the secret to my wealth is a blooming tree. Not an ordinary tree, but the Tree of Prosperity.' His eyes shone brightly as he continued, “In its shadows, I labor, and for its fruit, I reap riches. But remember Dale, it wasn’t just there. I found a seed and I planted it!”
Astonished, Dale stared at the prosperous farmer, his curiosity growing. Dale beseeched Eli to guide him towards this incredibly bountiful tree. Calmly, Eli pointed towards a colossal tree, standing majestically at the edge of his farm. “That is the Tree of Prosperity,” he proclaimed.
Intrigued and eager, Dale hurriedly rushed to the tree. He collected the seeds that had fallen to the ground and raced back home to plant them. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months but nothing seemed to grow. Disheartened and dejected, he returned to Eli, questioning his previous claims.
Eli simply smiled and asked, “Did you prune and nurture it every single day? Did you feed it water and provide it with care?” The questions sent Dale spiraling into a pit of regret as he realized his grave mistake. “My dear, the Tree of Prosperity needs patience and persistence as much as it needs soil and water,” Eli said softly.
Determined, Dale thanked Eli for his wise words and returned home. This time, he dedicated his mornings to nurturing his planted seeds and his nights to learning about them. He nurtured them with all his heart, and slowly but surely, a small sapling raised its head from the ground.
Months passed, the sapling turned into a tree, but it bore no fruit. Dale rushed back to Eli, bewildered. Why won’t the tree bear fruit? Eli asked Dale, “Have you loved the tree? Did you dote on it with your heart as open as the blue sky?” Dale stared blankly at Eli. He had forgotten the most vital component; love.
Chastened, Dale once again reached home and began to care for the tree with utmost love. He would often talk to it, sing lullaby and even share his day's stories. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months, and then, one day, he saw the first bloom on his tree. The sight brought tears to Dale’s eyes. He realized the true meaning of Eli’s magical words.
'Prosperity wasn’t about getting the outcomes; it was about surrendering to the process. Love, persistence, and patience were the true ingredients for prosperity.'
This tale of Old Eli and Dale is often recounted in the lively and prosperous village of Copperton. It taught them that true prosperity wasn’t just about plentiful wealth, but also about the journey towards it. It was about the glory in the sweat of toiling, the joy of perseverance, and the bliss of a loving embrace.