The Fern and The Bamboo

The Fern and the Bamboo

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my Spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me. "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

"In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But, I did not quit on the bamboo.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. Still I would not quit. The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over one hundred feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave the bamboo what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo. And I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."



I left the forest… realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you, either. Never regret a day of your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.


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The author of "The Fern and the Bamboo" is unknown to me. This came in via email about 3 months ago. No pictures, no credits. Just text ridden with little arrows that look like this: ">" If anyone knows who the author is please let me know so that I may give credit where it is due.

Malachi Súrion (hedgehog) and the art ©