The wonderful growth
I would share a story with you. I would like each of you to picture in your mind a most wonderful thing.
See there before us growing, a tall green shaft. See how the great broad leaves sprout from it as it grows taller and taller before us. It is a stalk of maize.
See there, that great ear that grows from its North side. See the beauty of the white silk that grows from it. White as the pure snow it grows, as that ear give reverence to that great wind of the North, which teaches us the virtues of preparedness, perseverance, and humbleness. Yet look there, even as that ear gives reverence there it still bows to that great earth that made life possible.
Look again my friends, see that great ear that grows there to the East. See how yellow its silk grows as it gives reverence to the great East wind from whence comes the dawning of each new day. Yet this ear too bows to the Earth.
Look there to the South. See how that great ear grows from the tall stalk in that direction. See the redness of its silk, as it gives reverence to that warm mother of growth, but still even it bows to the earth.
Look there to the West. See that ear that grows there. Its silk is as black as the night as it gives reverence to that purveyor of dreams and vision. Yet it too bows to the earth.
And look upwards, my friends. There far above at the very top of this magnificent stalk. See that golden halo that the stalk grows out of reverence to the great Sun, Sky and mysteries above. Ah such a wonderful growth is this!
Yet my friends as great as this growth is, it is only a tall monument to that small grave at its roots. The small grave of a single grain of maize that has gone full circle in its life of harmony and beauty in this world. Just think my friends. Will you have such a monument to your life here?
Da Naho!
Blue Turtle
The good farmer
There once were two brothers who lived with their families apart from one another. Each was a good farmer, being taught by their father who was a farmer. Each was very proud of their crops. The youngest brother worked very hard in his garden, always hoeing, watering and talking to his maize plants. He always took the seeds from the best growths and planted them the following year. Yet for all the care, he noticed that his yield became a little less each year, and although he had saved the best seed, his stalks becoming less tall. Yet he noticed that his older brother's stalks kept increasing each year and no finer maize grew in the villages.
The younger brother seeking an answer to this strange thing went to his older brother to find an answer. But he stopped short as he viewed his brothers garden. Only two thirds of the garden was well cared for, the rest was tall in weeds. The well cared for part was great in it growth of maize, but in the uncared for part only about one plant in ten seemed to grow up through the tall weeds.
The younger brother approached his elder brother with agreat frown across his brow.
"What is this I see my brother?", he asked. "Didn't our father teach us that to plant the seed is to be responsible to it? Why then do I see a part of your garden in such disarray. And how is it that you are so favored with ever increasing stock while showing such neglect?"
The older brother only smiled at his younger brother and got up to walk into his garden.
Approaching the fine growth in the well tilled part, he reached out and petted one of the tall stocks.
"This, is the food for my family and provides us well."
Then he approached the scant few plants in the weedy part. His voice was filled with reverence as he stroked each plant fondly.
"These great and strong brothers are the seeds for next years crop."
Perhaps you will give this story much thought when you raise your children. It is well and good to provide the very best for them. It is good that you should want to protect them from all harm. But, do not forget the costs. As I have often said, all things have a cost. Even those things which we feel are for the best.
DaNaho!
Blue Turtle
