The Foolish Tree

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A Jataka Tale

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Once upon a time, two trees lived peacefully in a forest with many wild animals.

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There were lions, tigers and other animals. The bigger animals preyed on the smaller ones and left their dead bodies behind.

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The bad smell from the dead bodies spread all round. One of the trees was

very angry.

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The angry tree said it would drive all the animals away.The other tree asked it not to as the wild animals would

keep men away.

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The angry tree said it would do it.One night, a strong wind started to blow.

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The angry tree shook itself strongly, making a loud noise. The animals sleeping below were frightened.

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The frightened animals started to run away.

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The foolish tree was happy that it had chased all the animals away.

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Many days passed. Then one afternoon a cowherd passed that way. One of his calves started to

run away.

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The boy followed the calf into the forest. He was surprised there were no wild animals around.

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He went home to tell his family. The family decided to stay in the empty land.

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The foolish tree said that it would frighten the people away.

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The foolish tree shook itself to make loud sounds but the father of the boy

was not afraid.

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The foolish tree tried again to frighten the people.

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But the tree could not frighten the people.

The people decided to cut down some trees for wood.

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Soon many villagers came to cut down the trees. One man said they would cut down the foolish tree the next day.

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That night the foolish tree cried. It knew it would be killed the following day.

This was the result of his selfish action.

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The End

May we be kind and patient to all beings.

With Metta,Bro. Oh Teik Bin