Apple tree

Many years ago, I heard this story from my teacher at the basic school, then few days ago I still found this story written on a tabloid. I guess, that will be okay if I share this story, in front of Ramadhan.
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It was so long ago when the morning dew still as fresh as a sprinkle of a creek water. There was an apple tree, stand still, with lush green leaves embrace each and every sprig. And its ripe and fresh fruits, flowering the whole body of this tree. This place always become a favorite playground of mine, feels like heaven every time climbing its branch, eating ripe fruits fresh from the tiny twig which hold Them. Not forget to mention countless cat nap I’ve passed under this shady tree.
I love this place as a playground and the tree loves me too, I can sense its whisper to express the joy of accompanying me for a whole day. I realize its pleasure every time I eat the fruit and climb up till the highest branch, even my absence give nothing but yearning to this tree.
As time goes by and I grow as a strong teenage, no time for me to play around that apple tree anymore. Hangout more with friends, and couldn’t see the joy of napping under this tree anymore. But one day when I got so confuse, this tree become a destination to approach.
“Come on, play again around me like old times,” the apple tree offer.
“No, I’m not a child anymore. I don’t enjoy playing around you anymore. I want to enjoy my youth, but don’t have any money to fulfil it,” I said.
“Why don’t you pick all the ripe fruits you can find in me, then sell them to earn some money you need. You’ll get whatever you need with the money,” this apple tree kindly offer again.
I was so happy hearing this, then reap all fruit on the tree and bring them to the market without thinking twice or even look back at the apple tree.
The apple tree already feel happy, every time saw me happy. But years later, I never visit this tree again, not even a single news ever cross to notify where am I. The apple tree no longer rich with fruits, but its leafy branch still offer warm shelter to everyone.
As I went adult, the power of time already craft unavoidable mark upon my face. I still notice that old apple tree, then come to it with my filthy face.
“What happen with you, come to me and have fun again,” this apple tree still longing for me like old times.
“No, I have no more time to play. I have to work to build a house for my family. Would you help me?,” I said.
“I’m so sorry, I have no home but you can cut off my big branch to build a house for your family,” this tree still kindly offer.
Once again, without thinking twice I cut off all big branches of the apple tree to build a house for the entire family of mine. After I got what I want, I left this apple tree with wide open smile around my face. And again, this tree look so happy as I feel happy.
But another years have come knocking into my doors again. I grow much-much older, when confusion come closer to me, this apple tree always cross on my mind as a destination. For every problems that I’ve had, this tree always offer a way out, so is now.
“It’s been so long you never visit me, come here and have some fun like old times,” this apple tree said.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not a little boy who love to play with you anymore. I’m old, and I want to be a sailor, but I have no boat to sail. Would you help me?,” I said.
“I don’t have a boat to give, but you can cut off my body to make a boat. With this you can reach your dreams become a sailorman,” unconditional offer uttered from this tree again.
My happiness shimmering as I found big and strong log to make a boat. I leave that tree without saying goodbye or even grateful for the gift. But, as always the apple tree always look happy for me as my smile frown upon my face.
As seasons changed, months walking on its path, I fell helpless as an old man. But that apple tree always become a destination when I feel languish. So here I come to a tree who has done so many things for me.
“I’m so sorry I have no more to give to you, I’ve given my fruit, my branch and my body to you. Now, I’m just a bunch of root with no power to grow anymore,” this tree sadly admitt.
“I no longer need your apple to eat, since I have no more teeth to bite. I no longer need your branch, cause my lack of power to cut it off and I won’t need your log, since I have no more power to sail. I just feel so tired and want to rest,” I said.
“Then come on closer, rest in my arms,” this tree last offer.
Now, how I realize this tree already offer me so much. The sacrifice this tree offer just to saw smile crossed upon my face, done beyond it’s capability to survive.
This apple tree mentioned in this story is perfectly like our parents. When we’re kids, we love to play with them, but when we grow bigger we prefer hang out with friends while we still asked for their favor.
Then we left them to search the essence of our existence in live, but still we need their help to make us stand still. We just come to ask for a favor which they never refuse to offer, but we easily left them as we got what we need.
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Entering the Ramadhan, I would like to remind you to kiss your parents and give all gratitude they always deserve. May God shower them with blessings.