The Red Rose and the Cactus

One beautiful spring, in a garden there was a red rose and many kinds of trees and plants growing there. Looking around, the rose said, “I am the most beautiful plant in this garden.” Then the rose looked at a cactus, saying, “Look at that ugly plant. It is full of thorns!” One tree said, “Red rose, who can say what beauty is? You have thorns, too.” The proud red rose said angrily, “You can’t compare my thorns to its. This plant is useless. How sorry I am to be its neighbor.” The cactus never got angry and it even tried to advise the rose, saying, “Nature does not create any forms of life without a purpose.” Summer was coming. The rose and other plants needed more water, but no rain fell. One day, the rose saw some birds make holes on the cactus and fly away. The red rose asked the tree what the birds were doing. The tree explained that they were getting water from the cactus. “Does the cactus not hurt when they make holes?” asked the rose. “Yes, but the cactus does not want to see any birds suffer,” replied the tree, “and you can also drink from it. The bird can bring water to you if you ask the cactus for help.” Then the cactus kindly agreed and the birds brought water to the rose. The red rose felt so sorry for its past words and behavior. Thus the rose learned a lesson and never judged anyone by their appearance again.