Two young fir trees grew at the edge of the forest. One became a beauty. She stands tall, slender, in a magnificent outfit like a bell from the proud top to the very ground. The other, her friend, modestly stepped aside. She is ugly: the branches, like tufts, stick out on her in all directions, a gnarled trunk without a hint of harmony.
The beauty became proud and began to think that there was no one better and smarter than her in the whole wide world.
Winter has come. The men came to the forest to get firewood and cut down a gnarled tree. Then the beautiful tree said maliciously:
“You see, I knew they wanted to cut you down.” They wouldn't dare me! I am the decoration of the entire forest!
“We’ll wait and see,” said the ugly tree. - Time will show.
And time has shown. After the New Year they met in a garbage dump. The proud beauty began to cry and complain to her friend about the people for cutting her down for the holiday and then throwing her away. The gnarled tree answered her:
- You shouldn’t be angry. You should have seen this coming. There is nothing more pleasant, more noble in the world than to serve for the benefit of others. Your lot is sad because you had to be disappointed. You thought so highly of yourself, were so seduced by your beauty, that when your hopes did not come true, you were disappointed and saddened. I try to think about everything and understand what should happen and what cannot happen. And that’s why I don’t have to be so bitterly disappointed, that’s why I’m happy.
- You? Happy? You, ugly, lying in the trash heap, are you happy? - the beauty screamed.
“Yes,” the gnarled tree continued calmly. “Ever since I was cut down, I haven’t stopped being useful.” They set me up as a milestone along the road. I, along with others, showed people the way, felt happy, and now even more so.
- Why is this? – the beautiful Christmas tree asked in disbelief.
“Many people walked past us, but one boy stopped to rest near me every time. Every day I watched him as he walked out of the city, waiting for him to reach me so that I could rest from the road. We got used to each other and became friends. I saw his smile and was glad to meet him. I was happy.
- How I wish I were in your place! What do I need my beauty for now? Yes, and before it was not useful to anyone...
- Look! - the gnarled Christmas tree interrupted her. - Here comes the father of that boy!
The man, seeing both trees, said: “That’s good. As many as two. Perhaps it’s enough to heat the stove.”
The house where they were brought had no heat for several days. The boy, sick, lay in bed.
“Now it will be warm,” said the father, cutting off the branches and branches of the beautiful Christmas tree. And the gnarled friend heard the beauty rustle:
- Finally, finally, I’m happy!
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru