Story of the Three Trees

Story of the Three Trees (adaptation of "Ang Kuwento ng Tatlong Puno")
Translated by: Karl Japeth Rosal

    Once there were three trees in the middle of a forest. They talked about their dreams and ambitions.

    The First Tree said, "One day, I will be a treasure chest. Golds, Silvers, Bronzes and Jewelries will be put inside me. They can also put ornaments around me, so that everybody can see that I am beautiful."

    The Second Tree said, "One day, I will be a very big and wide ship. I will cruise the Kings and Queens around the world.Everybody will feel safe inside me, for they know that I am very strong."

    And the Third Tree said, "I want to be the loftiest and the straightest tree in this whole forest. Everybody will recognize me in the middle of this forest and they will amaze me because of my numerous branches, and they will remember the Heaven and God, how closer Am I to reach Those. I will be the most essential tree to the whole world and everybody will admire me."

    Time passed by and they continue praying for the fulfillment of their prayers. One day, a group of woodcutters saw the three trees.

    The first woodcutter observed the first tree, "This tree seems to be beautiful, maybe I can sell this to my friend who is a carpenter," and the woodman started to chop the first tree.The first tree was so happy, for the tree known that it will acquire its ambition, to be a precious treasure chest.

   A woodcutter observed the second tree, he said, "This tree seems to be strong, maybe I can sell this to the dock." The second tree was so happy because its ambition will finally come true if the tree will be handed to the dock.

   When another woodcutter went near the third tree, it frightened, thinking that if it will be chopped, its ambition to be the loftiest tree will never be fulfilled. The woodman said, "I don't need any trees yet, so I'll just chop this tree," and chopped the third tree.

   By the time the first tree was handed to the carpenter, he build a trough for his animals and put it inside the barn.The first tree felt dismay for this is not its ambition.

  The second tree was used to build a small fishing boat for the dock. It was also disappointed for this is not its ambition.

  And the third tree was chopped into pieces and stocked into a dark warehouse.

  Time passed by, the three trees had forgotten their ambitions. One day, a man and a woman went inside the barn. The woman gave birth and put the Baby into a trough which was made from the first tree. The man desired to build a small crib but he decided to just use the trough temporarily. The first tree felt the importance of the incident and realized that Most Precious Treasure of the World laid on it.

  

Years have passed, a group rode on the boat made from the second tree. As they sailed, a Man inside the boat took a nap. When they reached the middle of the sea, they passed through a raging storm which frightened the second tree.The tree thought that it is not strong enough to resist the storm. His companions woke up the sleeping Man. He stood up and revealed, "Silence," and the storm disappeared. And at that point of time, the second tree realized that it carried the King of Kings into its fishing boat.

  Years have passed, the third tree was carried out the warehouse. The third tree was carried on the bumpy road, and while on the road, people ridiculed the Man carrying it. And when they stopped, the Man crucified on the tree; the tree was built on the hill, and everybody let the Man die on it. Until weeks have passed, the third tree realized that it became strong and remained standing on the hill adjoining the Son of God, for Jesus was crucified on it.

  The lesson of the story is that when things aren't happening the way you expect it to happen so, always remember that God had planned something best for you. If you continue trusting Him, each of us will receive His blessings.

   The three trees achieved their ambitions though not the way they expect it to.

   We do not know what God had planned for us. The only thing we can rely on: "His ways are not always the same as with ours, but His plans are the best for us."

- Written by:http://www.catanduanesforum.com/blog/ang-kuwento-ng-tatlong-puno -

                                                 - Photo Credits: Google Pictures Search -