Story about change: To grow or not to grow

Two seeds lay in the field where the farmer had thrown them. As the autumn days passed, birds searching for worms, and the wintry wind, loosened the earth, which slowly began to cover them.

Patiently, they waited as the nights grew longer and the days grew colder. They huddled together for warmth. Even below the surface of the earth, they noticed the changes going on above them. They felt the quality of the rain change as the warm squally autumn winds from the west gave way to the winter winds from the north.

They waited patiently as the hardness of winter set in. They felt the first sharp clasp of the frost upon the ground and then the weight of the winter snows piling high above them. And they huddled together even closer. And they waited.

Eventually, the pressure changed, the snow began to melt, and the soil once again became soft and moist. Warm spring winds gently began to caress the fields and both seeds began to feel strange and powerful urges within themselves.

The first little seed pondered, »I wonder what’s up there,« and he began to push curious little green shoots upwards in the direction of the earth’s crust. »And I wonder what’s down there,« he said and began to push enquiring little roots into the soil below.

But the second little seed said, »I’ve no idea what’s up there. It could be scary. And I don’t know what’s down there. That’s really frightening. So I think I’ll just stay here a little longer.

Soon, the first seed had pushed through the earth and was enjoying the sensation of warm spring sunshine, the freshness of the air, and all the wonderful things that she now saw around her. Her roots too were pushing deep into the soil below, drawing energy, nourishment, and strength from the richness of the environment.

But the second little seed continued with its inner monologue. »It could be dangerous up there. Who knows what’s down there? I think I’ll just stay here a little longer.«

By the end of spring, the first little seed stood strong and tall, surveying the fields from some height and with considerable pleasure and sense of achievement. Her roots were deeply centered in the ground, providing a foundation from which she could blossom and grow even stronger.

Meanwhile, the second little seed was still continuing with its risk-free strategy.

Until a chicken came along and ate it.