How to become strong, The apple tree

The apple tree called out to Darky, the leader of the crows, who was flying by, "Hey! Come rest in my shade for a while."

Darkyy looked at him and said, "But your branches don't have any shade your leaves are not green like before, and are drying up. You are becoming paler by the day-- you're growing old!"

Ha! Ha! Ha!" laughed all the other crows. "Old darky!"

Instead of feeling bad, the apple tree smiled. "Well, that's the law of nature. Once you shall eventually grow old. You too shall grow old one day," he said.

"Stop with your nonsense," said Darky. "we're going to the tamarind tree, which is greener, younger and better."

"All right," said the apple tree, and it watched the crows fly away.

Laura squirrel lived on the apple tree. She packed all her luggage and started climbing down.

"Hey, Laura! Where are you going?" asked the apple tree.

"I am going to live on another tree," said Laura

"Why?" asked the apple tree.

"You're drying up fast and one day a storm could uproot you. Even if you survive the storm, the villagers will cut your down. It isn't safe for me to stay here. I'm sorry, but I must leave," said Laura.

"if you've made up your mind, I won't stop you." said the apple tree, sadly.

And slowly, everyone left the apple tree. The neighboring trees, too, stopped talking to it.

The apple tree stood silently. Its leaves slowly dried and fell away.

One day, two scientists visited the village to conduct a research on trees.

One scientist looked at the apple tree and said, "Dr. William, this tree is old. It's useless."

rotting from the top--it has the dieback disease!" said Dr. Graham.

"Yes, the leaves begin to rot first and fall. Then the branches become empty and the tree starts drying from the top, downwards," said Dr. William. "We must treat this tree immediately."

The apple tree was somewhat relieved, hoping that it would be cured.

"But, the parasite has spread too deep. I don't think we can save it," Said Dr. Graham. "let's not waste our time."

The apple tree was disappointed.

"But let's try to save the tree," said Dr. William, observing the tree carefully.

"How?" asked Dr. Graham.

"We will find the infected parts. Measure them ten centimeters below, and ut them from the healthy parts. Then we will apply copper oxychloride fungicide, at an interval of fifteen days," said Dr. William.

"Okay, let's start the treatment," smiled Dr. Graham.

A month and a half later, the apple tree was healthy again. the scientists came back regularly to check on the tree.

It became thick with leaves and fruits.

Seeing the healthy mango tree, Darky came back to it with his friends.

He said, "We're sorry for being rude the other day. Please forgive us."

"I'm sorry too," said Laura, climbing up the tree.

The mango tree smiled and said, "It is ok-- you are all welcome back!"

The apple tree was overjoyed f
or being its healthy self again and the animals, birds realized that sickness and aging was all a part of life. One need not be afraid or make fun of it.