The Gardener & The Tiny Sprout
In a quaint village, there was a gardener named Elaine who had a knack for growing the most splendid plants. One day, as she was tending to her garden, she spotted a tiny sprout poking its head through the earth.
With great excitement, Elaine thought about how this little sprout could fetch her a few coins at the market. She considered plucking it out and selling it immediately.
Just as she was about to do so, the tiny sprout spoke up, “Please, kind gardener, if you let me grow, I promise to become a magnificent plant bearing countless fruits. Those fruits can be sold for many more coins than what you’d get for me now.”
Elaine, amused and somewhat skeptical, replied, “How can such a little thing like you promise so much?”
The sprout responded, “Give me time and care, and I will show you.”
Elaine contemplated the sprout's words and decided to let it grow. But soon, her patience waned, and she returned to the initial thought of earning a quick profit. Without waiting for the sprout's promised fruits, she plucked it and took it to the market. However, as the sprout had said, it was sold for only a few coins.
Later, as Elaine walked past other gardens and saw magnificent plants bearing luscious fruits, she regretted her impatience and realized the true worth of waiting.
