According to an ancient legend, the gods chose certain trees to be under their protection. Jupiter chose the oak tree. Venus chose the myrtle tree. Apollo chose the laurel tree. Cybele chose the pine tree and Hercules chose the poplar tree. Minerva asked, “Why did all of you choose only those trees that do not bear fruits?” Jupiter replied, “If all of us had chosen the fruit-bearing trees, we would have got jealous of one another’s trees for the fruit they gave. So, to avoid any quarrels, we chose trees that didn’t bear any fruits.” Minerva said, “I really don’t care what you say but the olive is very special to me because of its fruit. I choose the olive tree.” Jupiter said, “You are rightly called wise; for, unless what we do is useful, the praise for it is useless.”
The Gods and the Trees
