CYDF Newsletter, Vol.2, Issue 1, 2007 August 2008 - Calantas ...

p12In Search for Meaning and Value in LifeThere was once a teenager who was curious andasked her Dad saying, “Dad, how come the tree infront of our house is leaning?” By the time sheknew it, her Dad told her….that, “ and this is herstory about a… “The Leaning Tree”V OLUME 2, ISSUE 1After coming home from the laundrymatt, two teenage girls and their Dad werepulling black plastic bags up the stairs of their house. Whenthe job was almost done, the older of the two sisters askedtheir dad a question, “Dad, how come the tree in front of thehouse is leaning?” she asked.The Leaning TreeThe younger sister looked at the tree that was out in front of their house. Shewas sort of surprised that she didn’t really notice it herself since that tree has beenthere since they were little kids. Now that she thought about it, the tree remindedher of a giant lopsided mushroom.Their Dad replied, “The tree wasn’t supported when it was still young, so itended up growing the way it is now, leaning on its side. Just like you and yoursister, if your Mom and I would not put sticks (instill discipline in you) while youare still young, you would grow-up leaning like the tree with a crooked direction inlife. Also, It’s like if you don’t cut the vines of a bush, all the vines will grow in allsorts of directions. That’s what your mom and I are doing to you; we sometimeshave to guide by scolding so you can live good lives, especially if you seem not tobe paying attention when we talk and give you advice.”The two girls started laughing. The younger was imagining her sister andherself as grape vines growing in all sorts of directions. Their dad has to prune thevines by scolding at them for not keeping their living room, neat and organized.That was a funny sight. That conversation reminded her of the nail and thehammer conversation, “that they will not get things done unless told to do so.” After thelaughing died out, all three of them went inside the house to eat lunch with their Lola.When I think about the day my Ate Nini asked our Dad about the tree, Irealize that there is a lesson in it. For example, compare a young tree to a youngperson. If the tree stands alone it could end up leaning on its side. If it’s supportedby sticks it could grow straight. If a young person grows up with no support, s/hecould end up at a dead end. If they have support from others, they could grow uphaving a good life. Once they are settled in, they can help themselves and others,who do not have the support they need and help them have good lives of their own.Amerina N. MendozaVisit our website at: www.cydf821philippines.com for more information