Another story about bamboo

The Jakarta Post has run several interesting articles recently on the uses of bamboo. I would like to recount a story I read (author unknown), which the readers might find interesting.

Once upon a time in the heart of the Eastern Kingdom lay a beautiful garden. Of all the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble Bamboo.

One day the Master of the garden drew near to contemplate his Bamboo.

The Master spoke: "Bamboo, Bamboo, I would use you."

Bamboo said, "Master, I am ready, use me as you want."

"Bamboo," the Master's voice was grave, "I would be obliged to take you and cut you down."

A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo.

"Cut... me ... down? Me, whom You, Master, have made the most beautiful in all of Your garden? To cut me down? Ah, not that! Use me for Your joy, Oh Master, but cut me not down!"

"Beloved Bamboo. If I do not cut you down, then I cannot use you."

Slowly bending his proud and glorious head, Bamboo replied, "Master, if You cannot use me unless You cut me down, then do Your will and cut."

"Beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and branches from you also."

"Master, spare me! Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust, but would You take from me my leaves and branches also?"

"Bamboo, alas, if I do not cut them away, I cannot use you."

Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low, "Master, cut away."

"Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out your heart, for if I do not cut so, I cannot use you."

"Master, Master, then cut and divide."

So the Master of the garden took Bamboo and cut him down and hacked off his branches and stripped off his leaves.

Then putting one end of Bamboo in the spring, and the other end into the water channel in his field, the Master gently laid down his beloved Bamboo.

Then the rice was planted. As the days went by, the harvest came. In that day was Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty his life was abundant. But in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to the Master's world.

STEPHANIE WILKINSON

Jakarta