The shelter

In a small village on the outskirts of a dense forest, lived an elderly man named Thomas. Thomas was a quiet person who loved spending long hours walking through the forest, admiring the trees, the birds, and the beauty of nature. He always believed that everything in the forest had a purpose and a benefit, though one day, as he was walking along his usual path, something strange caught his attention.

There was a small, withered tree, its branches broken and its leaves fallen, as if it hadn’t grown properly or had been neglected. The tree seemed like one of those that hadn’t been destined for life, which piqued Thomas’s curiosity. He stood in front of it for a moment and then whispered to himself, “What is the use of this tree? Why doesn’t someone just cut it down? It doesn’t seem capable of offering anything.”

He continued to gaze at the tree, puzzled. It was small, weak, and didn’t have any aesthetic appeal to draw attention. Thomas thought to himself, “Perhaps we should just leave it here, it doesn’t serve anyone.” But just as he was about to continue on his way, he suddenly heard a faint sound coming from beneath the tree. He approached closer to discover the source of the sound and saw a small bird seeking shelter from the strong winds.

The bird appeared weak and exhausted. It tried to fly away but collapsed on the ground, tired. Thomas felt sympathy for the bird and wanted to help it. But at that moment, he remembered the small tree that had been sheltering the bird. He thought to himself, “Maybe this tree, despite its weakness, is able to protect this little bird from the strong winds and the cold.”

Thomas decided to leave the bird near the weak tree. He sat on a nearby bench and watched the bird as it moved around the small roots, hiding between the branches, finding some comfort. Thomas felt that this tree might be the only place where the bird could find safety in such harsh conditions.

As the days went by, Thomas began to return to the forest every day to watch the changes occurring around the tree. He didn’t expect much, but one day, he saw something unusual. There were many other small birds flying around the tree, finding shelter in its branches. He was amazed to realize that, despite its weakness, the tree had become a vital place for small creatures, offering them protection and refuge.

He also noticed that the birds weren’t the only ones taking advantage of the tree; small insects had gathered around it, and wildflowers had started to bloom around its roots. At first, Thomas had thought the tree was worthless, but it had unknowingly become a sanctuary for various creatures. It was providing shelter, protection, and food for insects and birds, as well as nourishing the wildflowers.

One day, while sitting under a large tree and observing the scene, Thomas thought to himself, “I used to think this tree was useless, but in reality, it might be more important than I ever imagined.” The small tree, despite its weakness, was playing a crucial role in sustaining the life around it. He had believed that the beauty and value of nature were in the large, flourishing trees, but this little tree had proven him wrong.

Thomas began to reflect on the wisdom of the Creator. He thought about how God had created everything on this earth with a purpose, even if that purpose wasn’t immediately obvious to us. The weak tree was a living example of that. It didn’t have an attractive appearance, nor was it one of the trees people would seek, but it had an essential role in the lives of other creatures. It offered protection and shelter, even if no one else realized its value.

At that moment, Thomas remembered that every creature on earth has a purpose, even if that purpose isn’t visible. We may not always see the true value of the things around us, but that doesn’t mean they lack purpose. The benefit they provide may be essential, even if it’s not immediately apparent. That benefit may be hidden or may only reveal itself later, but divine wisdom is evident in the fact that every creation, no matter how small or weak, has its place in this world.

The next day, Thomas returned to find the small tree greener and more vibrant. The birds had built their nests in it, and insects were buzzing around its roots. Thomas realized that life doesn’t always follow our material or visible standards. There may be something we don’t see on the surface, but it carries a deep benefit that becomes evident with time.

In that moment, Thomas decided that he would never again underestimate anything created by God. No small tree, no weak bird, and no simple creature could be dismissed. Every creation has immense value in this world, and every part of this life has its role. It may not be visible now, but one day, we will discover it.

From that day on, Thomas continued to visit the forest regularly, not just to admire the large, beautiful trees, but also to appreciate those small, weak trees, which might have saved the life of a tiny creature or offered shelter to one that needed it.

The lesson Thomas learned from that small tree was simple yet profound: “Nothing in this life was created in vain. Every creation has a role, and a benefit that we may not see now, but divine wisdom is revealed in everything.”