On a sunny day, the Grass awakened from her slumber and looked at the surroundings. On one side, she observed the Sunflower joyfully basking in the sunlight, as he often did, while on the other side, she spotted the Date seed engaged in conversation with the Cornstalk. With an air of indifference, the Grass shook herself awake.
In that moment, the Date seed asked the Cornstalk, “Hey Corn, do you believe in the existence of the Sun? Turnip insists that it doesn’t exist, but the Grass believes we should strive for happiness and live together as the Sun expects us to.” The Cornstalk responded firmly, emphasizing, “Without the presence of the sun, none of us would grow. It is clear that the sun exists.” With satisfaction, the Date seed approached the red Rose seed and exclaimed, “Our growth is proof of the Sun's existence!” The red Rose glanced apathetically at the Date seed. “I'm uncertain of the Sun's existence,” she remarked. “However, I am aware that the soil and water nurture our growth. Even if the Sun does exist, its existence is not significant for me.”
Anxiety washed over the Date seed once more, her mind clouded with fear and uncertainty, trapped in a cycle of internal chaos. The Cornstalk's argument was remarkably logical, but perhaps he had not grasped the profound influence of water and soil on plant growth. Perhaps it wasn't the Sun nurturing the plants, but rather the essential roles played by water and soil. The curious Date seed encountered Grass and observed that a part of her lay beyond the soil. The Grass's complete attention was devoted to the growth and expansion of her roots.
The Grass responded to the Date seed's question, affirming, "It's crystal clear, only the soil matters. Look around, only soil exists!"
The Date seed grew anxious once more, and turning to the thoughtful Turnip, inquired, “Do you, too, think there is no Sun, and it is this soil that fosters our growth?”
The perceptive Turnip, delving into inner knowledge, engaged in extensive debates with the Date seed, exploring countless hypotheses and theories until nightfall. The Date seed, prepared for sleep, felt deeply upset and gloomy because she had concluded that none of the ancient scholars had realized that soil and water are the foundations of existence, not the Sun. They had all been mistaken because they hadn't seen the role of soil. On hearing Turnip’s theories, the narrative seemed peculiar for the Date seed to grasp; therefore, with a heavy heart, the Date seed drifted into sleep, burdened with sorrow and lament.
Under the Moon's gentle glow, Sunflower, Cornstalk, and the Buxus bush engaged in quiet conversation. "Why doesn’t the Walnut tree saying anything about it?"
The Walnut tree remained silent, withholding any word. However, when the Date seed lay in slumber, he gently kissed her forehead, to soothe away all the fears and worries that troubled the tiny seed's existence.
As morning broke, the vibrant sunlight illuminated the emerald fields. The Date seed woke up feeling content until she laid eyes on the Turnip, and she was gripped by anxiety again. The conversation from the previous day flooded her mind, during which Turnip arrogantly claimed that the Sun is non-existent and refused to acknowledge its vital role in aiding growth. Gradually, all those thoughts stirred once more. Cornstalk wanted the Walnut tree to interfere and explain the principles of the Sun to ease Date’s worrying confused mind, however, the Walnut tree chose to remain silent.
The weary and discouraged Date seed turned towards the Walnut tree and spoke: “Wise Walnut tree, I have concluded that it is the soil that nurtures and promotes growth, Turnip’s theories proof this.”
The walnut tree, fully immersed in sunlight and bathed in the glow of the Sun, yearned to impart to the Date seed the existence of the Sun. However, He found silence more fitting, as he recalled a memory.
He remembered about a day when he was a small sapling, freshly sprouted from the earth. He remembered the seed that lay beside him.
The young tree was thrilled, and exclaimed to the miniature seedling, “I see the Sun, it truly exists! I am now within its radiance”. Upon hearing the young Walnut’s observation of the Sun, the little seed thought, “If this young Walnut sapling perceives the sun, then surely I can as well. Thus, I too dwell within its luminance." The young Walnut tree adamantly repeated, " I am ensnared within the sun," while the seed echoed, “Indeed, I too am surrounded within its embrace!” As the young walnut sapling spoke of the Sun, the seed, unknowingly, spoke of the confines it endured, speaking from within its own shell."
As the young Walnut tree continued to mature, the seed that he had conversed with previously, steadily decomposed and was trapped within the very same mechanism it once called home. The young Walnut sapling was wracked with anguish and thought, “If I hadn't told this seed about the Sun's existence, perhaps it would still be thriving, able to one day encounter the Sun.” This realization was deeply poignant for the Walnut sapling. It witnessed the gradual diminishment of the seed, shrinking smaller and smaller until it decayed and vanished, without even recognizing its own demise.
The Walnut tree had a distressing recollection, which made it apprehensive about informing the Date seed concerning the existence of the Sun. His aim was to provide a wise response to the Date seed, encouraging her to persist in her search for the Sun without conjuring up a fictitious one in her mind. The Walnut tree aspired for the Date seed to sustain her efforts with optimism and determination.
Therefore, the Walnut tree disclosed to the Date seed, “Oh, Date seed, I don't know if the Sun you speak of truly exists or not. However, don’t you think it’s better to keep searching for the Sun and not give up”? The seed thought to herself: “You’re right! I think the most important quality and the purpose of my life is to seek the Sun, whatever the consequences might be, the best course of action is to continue searching for it” Then, she responded to the Walnut tree: "I should be patient and it's necessary for me to continue my search again, even though I know my ancestors were greatly mistaken about the Sun. Nonetheless, I prefer to persist in my quest.” Then, she proceeded calmly with her pursuit.
The Buxus plant questioned the Walnut tree, "Oh Walnut tree, have you not seen the Sun? If you haven't, speak up, and we shall cease our quest! Let us indeed go forth and declare to all that the Sun doesn’t exist. Why pursue something that isn't real?" The wise Walnut tree smiled and inquired, “Oh Buxus, have you wearied of this pursuit?”? The Buxus, feeling uneasy, replied, “I shall never grow tired.” Perplexed by the Walnut tree’s query, he pondered, "Why did the Walnut tree make such a statement?" Does he not realize that I have stood here for many years, unaffected by tiredness?”
The Walnut tree glanced down at the Buxus bush and whispered to himself, "It's good that the Buxus bush hadn't grasped the lesson I imparted to the Date seed, so it wouldn't feel to share it with others. Though the Buxus bush may be upset with me at present, I am certain that he will feel better tomorrow. It's preferable to experience temporary sadness than to remain ensnared and decay indefinitely."
For several days, a serene silence settled among the garden's seeds and plants, until one day, a young Corn plant, freshly emerged from the soil, turned to the Walnut tree and spoke: "O Walnut tree, both of us reside within the Sun's embrace, feeling its warmth. Thus, I pose a question to you. Why did you not inform the Date seed of our existence within the Sun's realm, allowing us to behold its radiance?"
The Walnut tree let out a deep sigh and shared a memory. "When I was younger and just starting to grow, after a long wait to behold the Sun, I finally managed to meet it. As soon as I emerged from the soil, I cried out with all my being: “Sun! Sun! I behold the Sun, I can feel its light and warmth.” At that time, I lived alongside a Beetroot seed, who heard my voice and rejoiced." He had a hidden sweetness within him, he imagined it derived from the Sun." As I spoke of the Sun's light and warmth, the newly planted Beetroot seed affirmed, "Yes, yes, I too can feel the Sun!"
At that time, I wondered to myself how a Beetroot seed, nestled deep in the soil, could possibly sense the Sun's warmth. I tried to explain to him once again that I am surrounded by the Sun and its warmth all around. This is a different realm here, distinct from the world below the soil. However, the Beetroot seed persisted, insisting, "Yes! Yes! I too feel its light and warmth. Thus, I too am within the Sun." Upon hearing my words, he, who had been searching for the Sun for a long time, imagined that he had finally discovered the Sun itself. Consequently, he remained inside his shell, living in the imagined world and the illusion he had created about the Sun, until he perished.
At that moment, heart-wrenching sorrow overwhelmed me as tears welled up in empathy for the Beetroot seed's tragic fate. It dawned on me that my mention of the Sun had inadvertently led to his deterioration, and I was filled with regret for the unintended consequences of my words.
Even after so many years have passed since that event, I still find it challenging to figure out whom I can share the knowledge of the Sun with and whom I cannot. While all the seeds yearn for the Sun’s presence, how can I possibly explain the Sun in the sky to those buried beneath the soil?
Oh Corn plant, you have grown rapidly and entered the realm of the Sun. Yet, for two centuries, I've lived, witnessing countless seeds and trees. I know that some have glimpsed the Sun's rays, while others have not. Should you have the patience to listen, I have many stories to share."
The Cornstalk exclaimed with excitement, "I'm prepared to listen, and I am deeply eager for it."
The Walnut Tree let out another sigh of sorrow. He knew that the Corn Plant's lifespan would not allow the patience the Walnut tree spoke of.