THE FORGOTTEN SEED

• “You see, Rohan? Sometimes, growth begins where we cannot see it. The seed was growing silently beneath the soil, even when nothing seemed to be happening.”
• Daksh Meghani

O ne sunny morning in Ahmedabad, a boy named Rohan was helping his grandfather tidy their garden. While clearing some dry leaves, he spotted a tiny, wrinkled seed. It looked old and useless.
“Grandfather, look what I’ve found!” he exclaimed. “Should I throw it away?”
His grandfather examined the seed and smiled warmly.
“No, Rohan. Never decide that something is useless just because it looks old or lifeless. Plant it and give it a chance.”
“But, Grandfather, how can such a tiny, dry seed become a plant?” Rohan asked.
“Nature has many secrets, my boy,” his grandfather replied. “Wonderful things can hide inside the smallest packages. They need care, time and patience.”
Curious, Rohan dug a small hole, planted the seed and watered it.
From that day onwards, watering the seed became part of his daily routine. Every morning before school, he watered the soil. When he returned home, he checked for a tiny green shoot.
But days passed, and nothing happened. A week went by, then another. The soil remained unchanged.
Rohan’s friends began making fun of him.
“Why are you wasting time watering a patch of soil?” one laughed. “That seed will never grow!”
“Perhaps it’s fast asleep!” joked another.
Rohan felt disappointed but remembered his grandfather’s advice. He refused to give up and continued watering the soil carefully.
One morning, as golden sunlight spread across the garden, Rohan noticed a tiny green shoot pushing through the soil.
“Grandfather! Come quickly! Look what has happened!” he shouted excitedly.
His grandfather hurried outside and smiled. “You see, Rohan? Sometimes, growth begins where we cannot see it. The seed was growing silently beneath the soil, even when nothing seemed to be happening.”
Rohan was delighted. He continued caring for the plant, watering it regularly, removing weeds and ensuring it received enough sunlight.
Weeks turned into months. The tiny shoot became a healthy sapling, with fresh leaves and a stronger stem. Rohan watched proudly as it grew taller with every passing season.
Years later, the sapling had become a magnificent tree. Its wide branches offered cool shade on hot summer afternoons. Colourful birds perched on them, chirping merrily, while butterflies fluttered around. People passing through the neighbourhood often rested beneath its leafy canopy.
One afternoon, Rohan sat under the tree with his grandfather.
“Grandfather, do you remember the dry seed I once wanted to throw away?” he asked.
“Of course!” his grandfather replied. “And look at what it has become!”
Rohan smiled proudly. “I never imagined that something so small could grow into such a wonderful tree.”
His grandfather placed a loving hand on his shoulder. “That is the beauty of life, Rohan. Great things often begin with small beginnings. With patience, care and faith, they can reach their full potential.”
Looking at the birds enjoying their home and the people resting beneath the tree, Rohan understood that his little seed had become something much bigger than he had imagined.
He had not only grown a tree; he had also learned a valuable lesson about life.
Moral
Patience and care are important steps towards success. Never give up simply because you cannot see immediate results.