The Old Man Who Planted a Tree
A very old man plants a walnut sapling whose fruit he will never see, and gives the king a beautiful answer.
Tap a word to see it in Turkish · Long press to translate the whole sentence.
Once upon a time there was a king famous for his fairness. One day, as he rode through the countryside, he saw a grandfather of ninety by the side of the road. The grandfather was digging the ground with a small spade and planting a walnut sapling.
The king stopped his horse: "May your work be easy, Grandfather. A walnut tree only bears fruit after many years. At your age, will you ever eat its walnuts, that you work so hard?"
The grandfather straightened up and smiled: "Your Majesty, those who came before us planted trees, and we ate their fruit. Now we plant so that those who come after us can eat. My grandfather planted a walnut tree, and I grew up in its shade. Let my grandchildren play in the shade of mine."
The king liked this answer very much. He signalled to his treasurer, and they gave the grandfather a purse of gold. The grandfather took the purse and smiled again: "You see, Your Majesty? Other people's trees bear fruit years after they are planted. Mine bore fruit today, while I was still planting it."
The king laughed so heartily at this that he gave him another purse. The grandfather spoke once more: "Other people's trees bear fruit once a year. Mine has borne fruit twice in one day."
Laughing out loud, the king spurred his horse: "Come on, let's go, or this wise grandfather will empty my treasury!"
Years later, that walnut tree grew huge. Children played under it and travellers rested in its shade. And everyone told the story of the grandfather.
This tale tells us: good deeds are done not only for ourselves, but also for those who come after us. A sapling planted today is tomorrow's shade.
The tale ends here. Sleep well.
The Old Man Who Planted a Tree is a children's tale from Eastern tale, suitable for ages 5-10 and about 2 minutes long. Read it free on Masal Merkezi, play a lullaby or nature sound in the background, tap any word to see its Turkish meaning and save it to your favorites. For similar tales browse the World Tales category.
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