The Oak and the Reeds

The reeds that grow by the ponds and marshes, since time began, have always bowed when the wind has blown. Sometimes they bend their backs until their heads touch the ground.

The mighty oak tree, on the other hand, stands tall and proud and refuses to bend, even a little. 

One day, as the wind howled through the reeds, making them bow and sing their sad songs of loss and sorrow, Oak decided that he would give them some advice.

"You should stand tall and firm, like me. I bow to no one,"he said proudly. 

"But we bow out of choice, Oak. If we did not bow, then we would break. You think nothing is strong enough to break you, but soon you will see our wisdom. There is a great storm coming."

Oak laughed and said, "I suppose you cannot help but bend. You are so thin and small, after all! Iam big and strong. I will not bow! "

The next day, just as the reeds had predicted, a huge storm raged through the entire valley. The wind howled even louder than before and soon it became a hurricane. Houses were lifted off the ground and walls collapsed, but still the reeds did not break. They bent low to the ground, singing their song. 

Soon the mighty Oak found himself struggling to stand tall. His roots could not hold onto the soil for much longer. Eventually he lost his battle to stay upright. The hurricane lifted him up and dropped him amongst the reeds. 

The Oak finally understood how wise the reeds actually were. 

Moral:Sometimes it is wise to be flexible when faced with trouble.