APPLES,
AND
ORANGES,
AND
PEARS –
OH, MY!
There once was an
apple
that lived in a tree,
who cried, “Oh ... if only an
orange
I could
be -
I would be very happy just not
to be me.”
The
orange
heard him crying and said,
“Let me see … I know that if I were a
pear,
I
would
be the happiest fruit that you ever
would see.”
The
pear
said, “I think that if I could jump
down
from this tree where I’m hanging …
right onto the ground, I’d hunt for
some way
to grow hands ... and grow feet ...
I’d
be so happy ... my life so complete.”
Then ... from above ...
a voice they all heard -
It was God who was speaking -
He gave them these words:
“I created the world
... you’re part of the Plan …
Be content and be
thankful -
don’t you understand?
Each one has a role in
My Grand Design -
Some
are called aardvarks ...
and some ... porcupines!”
“I leave it to you ... now what
will it be? -
Choose to remain quite safe in your tree?
Or live on the ground - if you have the
nerve –
but you might end up as a jar of
preserves!”
The
apple
said, “Tell me ... oh, what
should we do? I guess
that the smart
thing is ... listen to You!”
The
orange
and the
pear
agreed
to comply,
and God said, “Remember ... and please
realize,
that joy and contentment ... now make no
mistake -
greatly
depends on the choices you make.”
“Ask Me to guide you
... take My advice -
Listen
for My voice to lead you through life.
If you will do this ...
just wait and see -
You’ll be
quite happy to live in a tree!”
The story ends here ...
as all stories must -
The
apple, the
orange,
and the pear
came to trust
in God’s plan for their
lives, the rest of their days -
(and, they didn’t end
up as preserves - by the way!)
Diane Adele Strong
