The Travelers and The Plane-Tree

Once upon a time, on a hot summer's day, two travelers were walking down a dusty road. They were tired and sweaty because of the burning sun above, and their feet felt like two very annoyed puddings that had been left in the oven too long.

"Oh, I'm melting! I'm melting!" cried the first traveler, pretending to wither away like a lump of butter.

"You're not melting; you're overcooking!" replied the second traveler, fanning himself with his hat. "I wish there was a cafe around here with ice cream sundaes, but nope, just dust and more dust."

They decided to stop and rest at noon, right under the wide and cooling branches of a big Plane-Tree. As they flopped down to relax in the cool shade, one of the travelers looked at the tree and said to his friend, "What a strange tree this Plane-Tree is! It doesn't have any fruit, and it doesn't seem to have any hobbies either. Maybe it's just having a mid-tree crisis!"

Just as he finished saying those words, the Plane-Tree spoke in a kind yet firm voice, like a wise schoolteacher wearing funny glasses, "How can you call me useless? Aren't you both resting under my shade right now? Aren't you escaping from the hot sun thanks to me? And for the record, my hobby is being a shade provider extraordinaire!"

Both travelers were surprised. They looked at each other, then around, and one of them said, "Did you hear that? It's like the wisdom of the woods is speaking to us!"

They then realized that the tree was right. They had been enjoying its shade and hadn't thought about how useful that was. One of the travelers said, "You know, Mr. Tree, you've got a point. And not just the pointy leaves! Thanks for being here, even if you don't serve ice cream sundaes."

The Plane-Tree chuckled, "Well, the next time you're passing by, bring some ice cream, and we can have a picnic! Until then, be thankful for what you have, even if it doesn't seem exciting. Shade can be a treat too!"

And with that, the two travelers continued on their journey, with lighter hearts and cooler heads, knowing that even a seemingly ordinary tree could be extraordinary in its way.

On a journey 'neath the sun's fierce ray,
Two travelers ambled on their way.
Heatwaves danced, feet filled with lead,
Desperate for shade, they moved ahead.

Upon the horizon, a sight to please,
A broad-leafed Plane-Tree, caught by the breeze.
They rested beneath, escaping the sun's glare,
Grateful for the tree's fresh, cool air.

Yet one, in thought, did idly state,
"This tree bears no fruit, isn't that great?
What good is it, standing so tall,
With no fruit to offer, none at all?"

The tree then stirred, voice gentle and low,
"Under my shade, don't you find solace so?
The sun beats down, relentless and true,
Yet, beneath me, you find your rescue."

The travelers blinked, surprise on their face,
Realizing the truth in that quiet space.
For value is found in forms untold,
And the Plane-Tree’s worth was more precious than gold.