The Parable of the Karee

Once upon a time the Divine Gardener decided to plant some clusters of Karee at Kareepoort, in the Bushveld of South Africa - a harsh yet picturesque vicinity.1

He planted two clusters Karee -- Rhus Lancea --  for the go-away bird, turtle dove, swallow, tinktinkie and the blou-sysie, lourie and Piet-my-vrou to nest or to rest in it. They settled their shadows on nearby farms.2

One of the clusters soon sprouted three saplings. Together with the two parent trees, there were five trees growing strong. The trees flourished into a sturdy, yet lush haven for birds of all kinds.3

On the nearby farm, the other tree couple also flourished, pushing out strong branches for birds and shadows for travellers. They were close and embraced each other with great compassion and love. They were each other's companions and friends and children ... for they did not have any tree decendants. 4

The birds started to wing and swing between these two families of Karee.5

They carried messages between the trees. The trees could see each other from a distance and loved to hear all the news carried by the birds. Soon the families became the best of friends.6

The years passed with seasonal splendour and with difficulties of storms and droughts. The tree families by now had grown into friends forever.7

One day the Gardener decided it was time to uproot the Father Tree of the Cluster of Five: his time had come to be rerooted in the Heavenly Garden.8

The Karee family and their nearby friends missed him intensely. But the birds reminded them repeatedly of his compassion and of his love. He was still alive within the seasons, and within the breeze.9

The Gardener reassured them of His Love.10

He told them that He is preparing soil for them as well, to grow into magnificence. Because they loved the Gardener with all the sap in their veins, with every twig and leaf, they accepted this loss.11

The years passed, until it was time for the Mother Tree of the Cluster of Two to be uprooted. The Father mourned this loss intensely. Now he was all alone - alone against storm and drought. No arms to embrace him; no lush leaves to sway with his; no shadows blending with his own.12

He was beginning to wither.13

The Gardener saw his agony. Once again He reassured him, talked to him with great compassion, about the soil He is preparing for all.14

"Oh dearest Lord Gardener!" the Father Tree of Cluster Two prayed, "Please help me for I am so lonely ... I will die of loneliness. I miss her so much."15

The Gardener - being LOVE - understood this mourning ... for the Mother Tree was the companion, friend and child of this strong Karee for a lifetime. He being the Divine Gardener, knew about the bond between the trees, Cluster One and Cluster Two. He decided to uproot the Mother Tree of Cluster One and replant it next to the Father Tree of Cluster Two.16

They were both dumbfounded for this decision. The birds, too, marvelled about this decision. For months they carried excited messages between the two.17

The day has finally arrived: two beloved Karee trees together, embraced by the love and memories of their previous mates, and of the Gardener.18

Not only did the Father Tree gained his best friend's companion as his Mother Tree, but he also gained children and grandchildren - and they all will live happily ever after as one joyous cluster of South African Karee.19

myra20

08.01.200521