Once there were two brothers who lived near a deep forest. The big brother was selfish and cruel, but the little one was honest and kind. One day the little brother went to the woods to pick up sticks. On his way he saw a curious tree with glistening needles.
As he began to chop a branch off the tree, the latter spoke up, “Please don’t damage me. “If you don’t kill me, I will give you a great reward.” The good brother drew back and said, “I didn’t want to hurt you. The old woman was delighted with the man’s charity, and presented him a basket of gold and silver.
The greedy brother, when he heard of it, went to the forest also for secret purposes: but behind the tree there stood a little old man who said: ‘What dost thou want here?’ He didn’t even bother trying to respect the tree, tapping it and demanding “Give me your treasure now! The tree got angry and threw a thousand sharp needles at him. Crying in pain, he ran home.
Observing his brother’s state, the caring younger sibling delicately pulled out each needle and sustained him until he got fully healed. The older brother repents and apologizes.
Moral: Kindness and humility bring rewards, while greed and arrogance lead to pain and regret.