The Gardener and the Bamboo Tree

 

Gopal was villager in Pimpalnagar who loved gardening. He grew a variety of plants there so much so that he could easily begin a nursery if he felt like it. People in Pimpalnagar called him ‘The Green Dwarf’ for his short stature and ability to grow almost anything. On one of his birthdays, Gopal’s friend gifted him a sapling. IT would seem like an odd birthday gift for others but not for Gopal He was so thrilled and excited on receiving this gift that the very next day, he was at his garden preparing a plot for this new addition. The problem was that he did not know what tree would emerge from this. The sapling was thin and sturdy and looked more like an ordinary stick. Nevertheless, he made all the necessary preparations for it and planted it.

As time went by, the sapling showed no signs of growth. Despite all of Gopal’s efforts, it seemed resistant to change. But, Gopal did not lose hope. He continued to nurture it with care, waiting for it to grow. His neighbours began advising him to give up on the sapling as it may have been dead when it was given to him. But, Gopal would not budge. He continued to hope that his little sapling would show atleast some sign of growth. A few months later, the little sapling began to show signs of growth. This led to a growth spurt and the young sapling became a very tall and strong bamboo tree.

Salesian Assistance can be compared to this short anecdote. Gopal, the gardener, is like the assistant and the plants in the garden are like the boys entrusted to the care of the assistant. Like Gopal we as assistants may have a treasure of talents and abilities that would attract many boys and influence them. Like the many plants in Gopal’s garden, every boy entrusted to us is unique in his own way. Many of them may even show immediate signs of change and growth. However, there are also boys who like the bamboo tree have a lot of potential but may seem resistant to our way of going about. At this time, mere talents and skills are not required to help the boy towards growth. Rather, it is loving-kindness and care that would help them. When all hope fails and society rejects the boy, the Salesian assistance ought to stand by the side of the boy being rejected and encourage him to look ahead towards his growth. It is we as Salesians, especially as assistants, to look at the strengths of every youngster and to use these strengths as the impetus to growth. You never know, the youngster may grow to be a giant in character as compared to all the other boys who showed early signs of growth.