Chasing Fate

A man gave each of his two sons a seed and told them to nurture it for a year, after which it would provide them with food. Seed A required little care—simply plant it, tend to it lightly, and leave it until it matured. Seed B, however, demanded constant attention: watering, weeding, protection from disease, and careful monitoring. It carried a high risk of failure if neglected. Naturally, the lazy son chose Seed A, drawn to its ease and lack of responsibility. The hardworking son was left with Seed B. The lazy son planted his seed and went off to enjoy life, trusting that his plant would grow and sustain him the following year. Meanwhile, the hardworking son devoted himself to his task—watering, fertilising, and protecting his plant with unwavering discipline. As the months passed, droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks struck. After some months, the hardworking son’s efforts were undone, and his crop failed. Though devastated, he did not give up. Instead, he began again—this time wiser, learning from his mistakes and taking every precaution. In less than four months, his persistence paid off. His plant flourished, and he harvested it with pride and gratitude. When the lazy son finally returned, expecting an easy reward, he found nothing but a withered stem. Shocked, he ran to his father and asked what had gone wrong, insisting that he had followed the instructions. The father smiled gently and said, “Son, you chose the seed that was easy to maintain, but you abandoned it. You left it unprotected through droughts and floods, and yet you expected it to thrive.” He paused, then added, “It is never too late. Take another seed—and this time, take responsibility for it.” Can you truly achieve your goals without putting in any effort? Share your thoughts…