Perseverance story: Why does it take so long for a bamboo tree to grow?

Once, a man became deeply frustrated with life. No matter how much effort he put into his work, he faced failure after failure. Disheartened and feeling like giving up, he decided to leave everything behind and seek solace in the solitude of the woods. There, he met a wise old hermit. Desperate for answers, the man poured out his troubles. He spoke of his struggles, his disappointments, and the feeling that no matter how hard he tried, success remained out of reach. Finally, he pleaded, “Give me one good reason not to quit.” The hermit listened patiently, then gestured toward two plants growing nearby. “Look,” he said, pointing, “do you see that fern and that bamboo?” The man nodded. The hermit continued, “When I first planted their seeds, I cared for them equally. I gave them water, sunlight, and fertilizer. The fern sprouted quickly, its green leaves unfolding toward the sky within weeks. It was strong and beautiful, and it grew more with each passing day. But the bamboo… the bamboo showed no sign of growth.” The man listened intently as the hermit went on. “For a whole year, the bamboo seed remained hidden beneath the soil. Another year passed, then another, yet still, there was nothing. Many would have assumed the seed was dead. But I did not give up on it. I continued to water and nurture it, believing that something was happening beneath the surface.”

“Then, after five years, a tiny sprout finally emerged. At first, it was small and unassuming. But within just six months, the bamboo grew a hundred feet tall.” The man was astonished. “Did the bamboo do nothing for four years, only to suddenly grow in the fifth?” he asked. The hermit smiled. “No, my friend. The bamboo was growing all along. But it was growing underground, developing a root system strong enough to support its incredible height. Without those years of unseen growth, it would have never been able to sustain itself.” The hermit looked into the man’s eyes and said, “Did you know that all the time you have been struggling, you were also growing strong roots? Every failure, every hardship, and every setback is strengthening you, preparing you for the success that will come when the time is right. If you give up now, you will never see how tall you can grow.” The man stood in silence, absorbing the wisdom of the hermit’s words. He looked at the fern, thriving in its own way, and at the towering bamboo, which had taken years to reach its full potential. He realized that just because he could not see progress did not mean he was not growing. Strength, resilience, and perseverance were forming within him, just like the bamboo’s roots beneath the earth. With newfound determination, he thanked the hermit and walked away with a renewed sense of purpose. He understood now that success does not always come immediately, but that does not mean it will never come. He resolved to keep working on his dreams, knowing that his roots were growing stronger every day.