How Little Sparrows Can Fell Tall Trees

Two coconut trees were standing nearby each other. Whenever there was a gentle breeze they touched one another. They became good friends.

There were a few sparrows on each of the coconut trees. They would also chat with each other. After few months, the sparrows became a little jealous of the friendship between the trees.

Often, the sparrows spoke ill about the other coconut tree and its sparrows to the tree on which they were sitting. The two coconut trees continued to listen to the sparrows but were still good friends.

But the sparrows would not stop. They fought with each other much to the chagrin of the coconut trees. Small tiffs between the trees were exaggerated by the sparrows. The trees were beginning to get a little irritated as little poisonous seeds of discontent were being insidiously planted in them.

One day there was a cyclone. Storm winds blew. The coconut trees brushed against each other. And this continued. Already a little irritated by those little seeds of discontent, they started getting angry. When a heavy wind blew again, the coconut trees rammed into one another, fought like hell and broke a few branches.

The two coconut trees can be compared to a husband and wife and the sparrows to the in-laws. The trees can also be compared to two close friends, lovers, business partners or even an employer-employee relationship. The sparrows can be compared to anyone trying to spoil a good relationship by gossip, untrue speculations, and lies.
Be aware of the motives of those who speak ill of others. Discourage them gently and with compassion from the beginning. Don’t allow them to sow harsh seeds of anger and judgment in you.