It
was high summer. The sun was extremely hot. Two travelers were going along a
dusty road that had no trees along its sides. Looking for some shelter from the
hot sun, they saw a tree with big leaves and branches spread like an umbrella.
They
placed their belongings on the ground and sat in the cool thick shade of the
tree. After taking some rest, one traveler said to the other, "What a
useless tree it is! It bears no fruits at all."
Hearing
this, the tree felt pinched and burst out, "You ungrateful soul! On one
hand, you are taking shelter in my cool shade from the burning heat of the sun
and on the other hand, you are calling me useless. Get up and leave the place
immediately to be scorched again."
