Long, long ago, in a village in India there lived two brothers. They were very different from each other. Duran was always grumbling about something or the other. He was easily hurt by people saying something to him. And he retorted by being very nasty to them.
Bhola was very pleasant. If anyone spoke harshly to him, he just let it pass. He did not sulk or throw a tantrum.
One day, a neighbour came to their house to complain that Duran’s goat had eaten up his stock of hay. He was very angry and upset.
“How am I supposed to get a fresh stock now?” yelled the neighbour.
“It’s for you to get the stock. Why are you asking me? I am not the goat! I didn’t eat the hay,” said Duran.
There was a big fight. But there was no solution. Both Duran and the neighbour Both ended up with bruises and injuries.
Some days later, a man came asking for a pot of water. He needed it immediately. So, Bhola gave him a pot of water. After he had used it, the man was bringing the pot back when he stumbled and the pot fell and broke. He came to Bhola and confessed to him that the pot had broken.
“It doesn’t matter,” said Bhola, “I’ll get another one.”
“No, I’ll bring a pot for you tomorrow,” said the man.
“It’s not necessary,” said Bhola.
When the man had gone, Duran came to Bhola and asked him why he didn’t agree to take a pot from that man. It was only fair. He had broken the pot, so he must replace it. After all, his neighbour too had asked him to replace the hay!
“Duran, let us do something good, instead of all the time quarrelling with people,” suggested Bhola, “Every time we feel hurt by someone, we should plant a tree. It will be a way of transforming the hurt into something good.”
Duran agreed to try this. Many trees were planted around the houses of Duran and Bhola, and then they were planting more trees in the village too. Everyone in the village too began planting trees.
One day, Duran asked Bhola, “Why did you suggest that trees be planted, Bhola?”
“Trees are so forgiving. They give wood even for the handle of the axe that chops them down, Duran!” said Bhola in a sympathetic tone.
Duran hugged his brother. He had made him into a different person. Now he did not quarrel with anyone at all.
Moral: Forgiveness benefits the giver and the receiver as well.
