The Oak and the Cyprus

Once there was a Cyprus plant and an Oak plant who fell in love. They wanted to be as close to each other as possible. So they decide to root themselves next to each other in a lovely cliff overlooking the valley. They were literally next to each other. They lived happily for two years. Both trees grew up fast and became big giant trees. The Oak Tree and the Cyprus Tree are both huge trees which need a lot of Diameter at the top to get the maximum sunlight and to grow big, strong and healthy. Unfortunately their growth was soon stunted because the Cyprus tree did not get enough sunlight under the Oak tree, it became mal nourished and pale. The Oak tree did not get enough nutrients from its roots because the Cyprus was taking most of the nutrients. It became scrawny and hollow. Both used to fall sick often. Depression, Hypo Thyroidism, Cold, cough, fever. Their immune system was compromised. Each tree expected the other to take care of it. The other tree would get angry as it was sick itself.


Soon the trees started blaming each other for their condition. If Only you were not dominating above me all the time, taking away all my sunlight? If Only you did not keep eating all the time and left me with some thing to eat and drink from the ground? They started fighting, they could not tolerate each other anymore. They could not move away because they were trees and struck to the ground. Life was miserable. They hated each other and just wanted to die and get it over with. Everyday waking up next to each other was horrible. It felt like a prison, unable to escape, unable to die they lived in misery for many years. They were angry at everything around them. Their behavior was different with their relatives and friends and even in office. Life seemed filled with misery and sadness.

One night there was a huge storm, rain poured and loosened the ground. Thunder hit the ground. The earth shook and there were earth quakes. The Cyprus soon could not stand, it fell down in a big heap. The whole root was ripped off of the ground. The Oak suddenly felt terrible depression. He hated the Cyprus presence so close, but could not bear to have her die. He prayed for a miracle to save the Cyprus. The Rain poured and swept the huge uprooted tree down the valley. The Oak tried to stop her from falling down. It tried desperately to hold on to the massive Oak tree but could not. The Cyprus fell down the cliff. Fortunately it fell roots down and upright. Many roots were broken, but many survived. The Cyprus was almost on the verge of dying but managed to hold on.

Months went by the Oak tree was down and depressed at the loss of his beloved. The Cyprus was recovering however. After 2 more years, the Cyprus was growing at an incredible pace much bigger and stronger than ever. The Oak too without another massive tree next to it was growing to be a strong large tree. Soon the Cyprus grew over the cliff face and could see the Oak tree at the top of the cliff. It called out but the Oak could not hear. After some more time the Cyprus grew over the cliff and the Oak could clearly see the Cyprus. Their branches were almost touching. They hugged and kissed like long lost lovers. They fell in love all over again. It was as if the fights and hateful words had not happened at all. The Cyprus would send squirrels to tickle the Oak. The Oak would shower the Cyprus with Flowers. They sang and danced in the wind. They got wet in the rain and feasted the bright sunlit days. They wrote poems and love letters to each other. They dedicated Bollywood songs to each other. They were never more happy in their lives. They were very healthy and would breath deeply for many hours at a stretch. Life was full of joy and energy. All the others around them wanted to be with them, borrow their energy. The Two lovers gladly helped but knew not to expect anything from anybody, not even from each other.

They realized, that being close enough is crucial but being too close is deadly. This way they lived happily for a very long time.