Rock and Tree

The rock’s low voice startled the young sapling; it did not know that rocks could talk. The sapling took one look at the rock and promptly turned away, completely ignoring the rock’s question. The rock said nothing more to the sapling but watched it as it grew. However one day the rock realised that the sapling was stretching its roots towards the river and thus growing towards the water each day. The rock suddenly became very fearful for the young tree. The rock knew that the river would drown the sapling when the rainy season arrived. He told the sapling this, but the sapling would not listen. It stubbornly continued to grow its roots towards the river, further and further away from any chance of safety. The rock helplessly watched the ill-fated plant. Finally, he resolved that he would not let the poor, stubborn sapling die. The rock suddenly knew that the only way to save the sapling he loved was to roll into the river in front of it, thus redirecting the flow of water. So that is what he did.