In a beautiful valley in Kashmir, there were two trees. One was a tall and strong Chinar tree, and the other was a small, bent apple tree. The Chinar tree was so big that people came from far away just to see it. The apple tree, on the other hand, was much smaller and not as straight.
The Chinar tree would often laugh at the apple tree, making fun of how small and crooked it was. "Look at me," said the Chinar tree, "I'm tall and strong! You're just a little tree!" The apple tree would always stay quiet and listen, not saying anything in response.
One winter, there was a big snowfall. The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering everything. The Chinar tree, so tall and stiff, couldn’t bend. The heavy snow was too much for its branches, and they broke under the weight.
But the apple tree, which had always been small and humble, knew how to bend. When the snow fell, the apple tree bent its branches down, so the snow didn’t break them. It stayed safe and strong, while the Chinar tree had fallen apart.
And from that day on, the Chinar tree learned a lesson: sometimes, being big and strong isn’t enough. It’s better to be humble and learn to bend.
Source: Narrated by Shehzil Zahra's father. Recorded in Muzaffarrabad, as a part of Clicks and Culture, our collaboration with Beaconhouse School System.
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