The garden was filled with the sound of conversation coming from every corner. Amidst the voices, the sound of Radish, Turnip and Beetroot, was the most prominent. The Beetroot was captivated and mesmerised by his sweetness and could be heard actively chattering away.
Despite all the chatter and stories circulating in the garden, the Date seed remained focused on finding a sign of the Sun. She had meticulously recorded and memorized every detail and word that could could lead her toward the Sun. Therefore, she was familiar with all the theories and various hypotheses regarding the existence or non-existence of the Sun.
The Walnut tree, in eternal silence and tranquillity, was observing these conversations.
The Onion, whose physics was resembling how to grow in layers, had taught the Date seed how to envisage the Sun layer upon layer and think and grow in that way. Despite her best efforts, Date was never able to grow like the Onion. She found the Onion’s lessons to be fascinating and beautiful, but She was unable to apply them successfully.
Everyday, as the Date seed observed the daily growth of the Onion, Turnip, Beetroot, and Radish, she would reflect upon herself. With each comparison of her growth to theirs, she became increasingly hopeless and despondent.
As time passed, the Date seed grew weary of her fruitless endeavours to find the path leading to the Sun. She pondered, “If only there were someone who could show me a clearer way to reach the Sun.”
As she was lost in thought, the sound of the Walnut tree suddenly brought her back to reality. Assertively, he asked, "How are you doing, Date seed?”
The Date seed expressed her distress to the Walnut, admitting that despite learning thousands of philosophies and logical arguments, she had yet to find anything useful for herself.
“Why waste time on complex sciences and philosophies? Instead, focus on examining and studying yourself to discover what kind of being you truly are?" Stated the Walnut tree.
The Date seed, mesmerized by the Walnut's words, thought to herself, "What a strange serenity this Walnut tree possesses, and how wise and knowledgeable he is, despite his kindness! I wish someone would tell me that he is indeed the Sun."
Then, she turned towards the Walnut tree with a sigh and said, "I know that you are aware of the Sun and know the way to reach it. I wonder why, despite seeing me thirsty, you still refrain from saying what you know? I spent all yesterday talking to Turnip and Onion. They know a lot about the Sun, and they tell me things too, but I just don’t understand why I can’t grasp their words."
The Walnut tree responded, “Because you are a Date seed! Look closely at your external form. See how you are made! Understand your firmness and hardness. You are different from Garlic, Onion, and Turnip. Haven’t you noticed this difference?”
The Walnut tree fell silent and waited.
The Date seed, as if just realizing these differences for the first time, responded, “You are right, my outward appearance is different from theirs. I am completely different.”
The Walnut tree continued, “Nature has provided various paths in front of every creature and has made it possible for everyone to make different choices. So, choose the best possible one for yourself!”
The Date seed asked, “So with all the knowledge I have learned from the Onion, what should I do? How should I use them? For example, he taught me to find a thin skin between each layer, but no matter how much I searched, I could not find anything.”
The Walnut tree replied, “You do not have any layers to look for, my dear Date! So do not look for layers, observe your nature and find the path of growth that suits you! When you have grown enough, you will also discover various parts of yourself and you will see that you are not like the layers of an Onion at all. Because the Onion is an Onion, and you are a Date. Be receptive to what you hear from me because the path ahead of you has already been trodden by me.”
With disappointment and regret, the Date seed said, “So the Onion is a remarkably high being that has all the layers within himself. It is clear from the words that he is incredibly wise and knowledgeable. However, there is always something in my heart that tells me that your wisdom is different. Your wisdom is pure and unique.”
And once again, she thought to herself, “ the Walnut tree is the Sun himself, and I do not know why he still denies this fact. But what he says seems to be true. I need to search within myself before searching for the Sun.”
At this moment, the first step towards growth was taken for the Date seed. For the first time, she decided to stop listening to various theories and hypotheses and made up her mind to delve deep into herself to see what kind of being she truly was.
The next morning, the Date seed went to the Walnut tree and asked, “Oh, my dear Walnut tree, tell me; what am I truly?”
With his own unique calm and grace, the Walnut tree replied, “Let me not tell you who you are and what you are like! For I see you from my perspective, which is different from yours. Observe yourself from your point of view.”
The Date seed said, “The Onion claims that I am a tough and bitter creature, so how could he see me and even describe me?” It is a strange world that you, with all your magnificence, cannot see me, but a small Onion can see me and describe me so well!” Then, with anger and sarcasm, she turned to the Walnut tree and said, “This is my ill fate that I have chosen you as my guide, while you have nothing to teach me!” At that moment, he pondered within herself, “Perhaps the Onion was right in saying that the Walnut tree is not the Sun.”
The Walnut tree sighed deeply from his pained heart and said, “I know that sometimes I overshadow you, but do not say that you haven’t seen or felt my love and care for you! Sit down and observe yourself inwardly so that you can find out who you truly are.”
The Date seed affirmed, "It is undeniable that you can be strict with me at times, but I appreciate that the difficulties you bring are accompanied by the brilliant rays of your love. The radiance of that light is unmistakable.”
While discussing the compassion of the Walnut tree, the Date experienced a comforting feeling in her heart and said goodbye to the tree with delight. Throughout the night, the Date pondered about her identity and asked herself repeatedly, "Who am I? Am I truly a Date? And if so, what am I supposed to do now that I know this?"
She sat in deep contemplation, frustrated that she had spent hours listening to the incessant chatter of the Turnip, Onion, and other plants without gaining any insight. However, a single sentence from the Walnut tree triggered a powerful realization within her: "I am not a Radish, not an Onion, not a Turnip; I am a Date seed."
The next morning, the Date seed eagerly approached the Walnut tree and said, "Oh wise and venerable tree, please teach me another valuable lesson! Your words have touched my soul and I utterly understand their meaning. Your guidance is of utmost importance to me, so kindly continue to share your wisdom with me.”
The Walnut tree said, “Before you answer my question, think carefully about it, even though it’s possible that you haven’t fully understood the question yet. Can you be receptive to everything you hear with your heart, or do you prefer to contemplate with your own mind like Turnip, Radish and others?”
The Date seed was fearful, but her heart urged her to follow the Walnut tree. Therefore, she chose to accompany him.
The Walnut tree, who had noticed the Date seed's readiness to learn, started teaching her. He said, "Just like every other living creature, you are a part of nature. Therefore, the first step towards learning is observing the nature around us. Start by observing yourself closely. You are currently in the soil, which has air flowing through it. Additionally, the soil is warm and moist, with the warmth coming from the Sun and the moisture indicating the presence of water."
The lesson was easy for the Walnut tree, but the Date seed found it difficult to understand as she was unable to see what the Walnut tree was referring to. All she could comprehend was that she was buried in the dark soil.
The Date seed pondered to herself, "I understand that the dark soil surrounds me, but why can't I perceive the presence of air, water, and fire?"
This was the Date seed's initial step towards discovering herself and her environment.