The Laurel Tree and the Olive Tree
Once upon a time, on a windy hill overlooking the Blue Sea, lived two neighboring trees. One of these trees was Laurel, who was proud of her shiny leaves, and the other was humble Olive Tree. Laurel Tree reached her fragrant leaves toward the sun and constantly boasted about her beauty. Old Olive Tree, on the other hand, silently hugged the earth and listened cheerfully to the birds resting in its shade. On a sweet spring day, Laurel began to look down on her neighbor while swaying in the wind.
"Look neighbor, my leaves always shine brightly and decorate the crowns of kings," said Laurel. "Great heroes and poets always choose my branches to celebrate their victories." "Your leaves are ordinary, and there is no brightness in your crooked branches at all." Olive Tree listened calmly to these arrogant words and gently shook its branches. "Your beauty is truly eye-catching, dear Laurel," replied Olive. "However, you are remembered only in victory celebrations and showy ceremonies."
"Whereas I give people delicious fruits and golden-yellow oil that illuminates dark nights." "My branches end wars and are accepted as a symbol of peace and labor." Just at that moment, an old traveler passing over the hill took shelter in the shade of the trees out of tiredness. The traveler rested in the shade of Olive Tree and sweetly ate the bread he took out of his saddlebag with olives. He smelled the pleasant fragrance of Laurel Tree, but only Olive relieved his hunger and tiredness.
At that moment, Laurel realized that showy beauty was not as valuable as being useful. After that day, the two neighboring trees continued to live on the hill, respecting each other. True value lies not in the show of outward appearance, but in the benefit and goodness provided to people. A tree is known not by its leaves, but by the fruit it gives.