Life’s Lessons: Difficulties are meant to test you

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer and the youngest son in the fall. When all of them returned, he called them together and asked them to describe what they had seen.  The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent and withered-looking. The second son said, “No, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.” The third son disagreed. He said it was full of sweet-smelling, beautiful flowers. The last son disagreed with all of them. He said the tree was drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment. 

The man then explained to his sons that each one was right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree’s life. He then said how futile it was to judge a tree or a person, by only one season. The essence can only be measured in the end when all the seasons are up. 

If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall. Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.   

Moral: Do not judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come sooner rather than later.