A cactus stood all alone in the desert, wondering why it was stuck in the middle
of nowhere.
"I do nothing but stand here all day," it sighed. "What use am I? I'm the
ugliest plant in the desert. My spines are thick and prickly, my leaves are
rubbery and tough, my skin is thick and bumpy. I can't offer shade or juicy
fruit to any passing traveler. I don't see that I'm any use at all."
All it did was stand in the sun day after day, growing taller and fatter. Its
spines grew longer and its leaves tougher, and it swelled here and there until
it was lumpy and lopsided all over. It truly was strange-looking.
"I wish I could do something useful," it sighed.
By day hawks circled high overhead.
"What can I do with my life?" The cactus called. Whether they heard or not, the
hawks sailed away.
At night the moon floated into the sky and cast its pale glow on the desert
floor.
"What good can I do with my life?" The cactus called. The moon only stared
coldly as it mounted its course.
A lizard crawled by, leaving a little trail in the sand with its tail.
"What worthy deed can I do?" The cactus called.
"You?" The lizard laughed, pausing a moment. "Worthy deed? Why, you can't do
anything! The hawks circle way overhead, tracing delicate patterns for us all to
admire. The moon hangs high like a lantern at night, so we can see our ways home
to our loved ones. Even I, the lowly lizard, have something to do. I decorate
the sands with these beautiful brushstrokes as I pull my tail along. Buy you?
You do nothing but get uglier every day."
And so it went on, year after year. At last the cactus grew old, and it knew its
time was short.
"Oh, Lord," it cried out, "I've wondered so long, and I've tried so hard.
Forgive me if I've failed to find something worthy to do. I fear that now it's
too late."
But just then the cactus felt a strange stirring and unfolding, and it knew a
surge of joy that erased all despair. At its very tip, like a sudden crown, a
glorious flower suddenly opened in bloom.
Never had the desert known such a blossom. Its fragrance perfumed the air far
and wide and brought happiness to all passing by. The butterflies paused to
admire its beauty, and that night even the moon smiled when it rose to find such
a treasure.
The cactus heard a voice.
"You have waited long," the Lord said. "The heart that seeks to do good reflects
My glory, and will always bring something worthwhile to the world, something in
which all can rejoice - even if for only a moment."
Author unknown. If anyone has a proprietary interest in this story please
authenticate and I will be happy to credit, or remove, as the circumstances
dictate.
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