But the Tree Has No Fruit.

The kingdom of man is like unto a man who had a fine farm. It provided food and produce for markets throughout the region, and he had won many awards for excellence. One day during the harvest he came to his orchard and saw a tree that had no fruit.

“For three years I have come looking for fruit on this tree,” he said to the hired man. “It is just taking up space, using up water and air. Cut it down. It is in the way.”

“Let me have one more year,” said the hired man. “I will prune it and fertilize it. Then if it does not bear fruit, we will cut it down.” The owner agreed.

Next year was the same story, however. There was still no fruit.

“Cut it down,” the man said to his worker. The man went to get his saw.

Just then an agent from a government agency showed up. “Stop,” he ordered. “Here is a court order, forbidding you from touching that tree. Trees have rights, too, you know.”

“But it is my tree on my land,” said the farmer.

“What right have you to say you own any of God's creatures,” replied the agent. “Every tree has the right to exist. This whole idea of ownership and property right is a throwback to a darkened time in man's history and has no place in the New Age. We must learn to live side by side with Nature. The tree has as much right to own you as you have to own it. Who are you to think that a tree must have fruit? We must celebrate the great diversity among trees.”

“I see! I see! You are right,” said the farmer. “I wonder I did not see it before. To live at one with Nature, to feel kinship with the rocks and hills and babbling brooks: this is the Meaning of Life. And to think that I once thought men had the responsibility to develop the resources of nature. How could I be so blind and selfish!”

From then on, the farmer did not pull weeds or kill the bugs in his orchard. “They have as much right to live as I do,” he said. He learned to play the zither and spent much time on his front porch. He grew a ponytail and wore sandals. He applied for food stamps.

After a time people discovered that it was hard to find fine produce in the markets. Prices seemed to be going up, too. (See Luke 13:6-9)