Zhuangzi | China
The Carpenter and the Oak Tree
Skilled carpenter encounters a giant oak tree considered useless, but a dream teaches him that perceived weaknesses can be strengths.
Once upon a time, there was a skilled carpenter named Master Shi. He was known everywhere for making beautiful things from wood.
One day, while walking through the forest, he saw a giant oak tree. The tree was tall and broad, with branches reaching high into the sky and roots deep in the earth. Master Shi was surprised to see such a large tree standing untouched in a place where many trees had been cut down.
"This tree is too big," he thought. "Its wood would be hard to work with and not good for making things. That's why no one has cut it down."
So, Master Shi moved on and left the tree standing alone in the forest.
That night, Master Shi had a dream. In his dream, the oak tree spoke to him. It said, "You compare me with those useful trees, but their usefulness is why they are cut down before they can grow old. But because I am not useful, I get to live a long and peaceful life."
When Master Shi woke up, he thought about the dream and the tree's words. He realized that what he had seen as a flaw was actually the tree's strength. Being "useless" allowed the tree to live its full life, grow tall, shelter animals, and stand beautiful in the forest.
