There once were two women who tried to grow a garden. The first woman held her seeds in her hand and said, “These will never grow.” Then she scattered the seeds and poured bleach on them. When the seeds didn’t grow, she exclaimed, “I knew they were worthless!” The second woman held her seeds in her hand and said, “Let me see if these will grow.” Then she prepared the soil, tilled it and gave nutrients. She carefully planted the seeds, watered and cared for them. In the silence, the seeds sprouted and produced in abundance.

© Meisaan Chan