Jean Pierre Claris de Florian | France
The Gardener and the Aged Tree
An old pear tree, about to be cut down, persuades a gardener to spare it with the help of nightingales and bees.
In a quiet garden, there was an old pear tree. It had been there for many years, giving tasty pears to everyone. But now, it was very old and could not produce any fruit anymore. One day, the gardener decided to cut down the tree because it was no longer useful.
The gardener took his sharp axe and started to chop the tree. As the axe hit the tree's trunk, the old pear tree began to speak. "Please, kind gardener," the tree said, "remember all the sweet pears I gave over the years. Think of the joy and praise I brought to this garden. Please don't cut me down."
The gardener paused and replied, "I understand, old tree, but I need wood for my home. I don’t have time to go to the forest to get it."
Just then, a group of nightingales, the beautiful birds living in the garden, began to sing. Their songs were so lovely that they reminded the gardener of the times his wife sat under the tree, listening to the birds and feeling happy and relaxed. "Please don't cut down this tree," the nightingales seemed to sing. "Remember how much joy it has brought."
The gardener hesitated but then lifted his axe again. As he swung the axe, it struck the tree hard, and suddenly, a swarm of bees flew out from a hole in the tree. The bees buzzed angrily around the gardener and spoke in their own way. "What are you doing? This tree is our home! If you leave us our home, we can make honey for you, and it will be more useful than the wood from this tree."
The gardener thought about what the bees said. He remembered the happy times his wife spent under the tree and realized how important the tree was to the garden. "You’re right," he said to the bees. "This tree has given me so much. I should let it stand. And you can keep making honey for us."
Feeling grateful, the gardener put down his axe. He decided to plant flowers around the tree so the bees would have plenty of nectar to make their honey. The tree stayed in the garden, and everyone continued to enjoy its shade and the beautiful songs of the nightingales.
