Ubuntu Courtyard
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Children's Books
  • Inspirational Blogs
    • Inspiration Zone
    • Books & Film Cafe
    • Journey Chronicles
  • Contact Us

Take a Moment to Pause...




​
​
and Reflect

The Tomato Plant: 1

19/3/2018

 

The Story Begins

The Tomato Plant Story Part 1
The stem looked healthy too as it bulked into thickness. What could go wrong?
What happens when we have dreams deep in our hearts but somehow feel stuck or unable to realise them? 
Have you ever lived in survival mode; giving everything you had just to put food on the table, keep a roof over your head or stay on top of bills but feel stuck? Do you sometimes think that there's so much to live for yet afraid to make changes? Have you ever been told that the simple and safest route to fulfilment is not taking risks? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, then this real-life story will shed a bit of light on your dilemma.

One
 summer's day, my little boy brought home a potted tomato plant from school. They'd been learning about plants, from seeds to fruition. My son had planted a tomato seed into a pot, watered it and had been rewarded with germination. He had one request as per teacher's guidance; move the plant into a bigger one, so it would grow and produce tomatoes. "Not a big deal," I thought before promising to buy a bigger pot and compost. Somehow, the mundane tasks of everyday living got in the way. There was a Monday to Friday, 9-5pm job to commute to.

Although I could have gone to the hardware shop at night time; other daily and weekend routines at home also made it impossible to put my promise into action. Despite this seemingly uncaring attitude, the plant had been placed by the kitchen window so it would catch the sun's rays from time to time. It was also a convenient location, close to the water tap. Indeed, the plant continued to grow. Leaves flourished, lush and green they were. The stem looked healthy too as it bulked into thickness. What could go wrong? Evidently, a bumper harvest lay in store.

We continued to do the bare minimum, what a good plant we had! As time progressed, I got a slight hint that the plant was no longer growing as fast as it used to. The plant had not been watered on one too many occasions and in a bid to put right a few wrongs, the hydration process resumed. Still, repotting was not on the agenda. It was a dependable kind of plant which meant that other pressing issues were often prioritised. As time progressed, the plant's evergreen leaves changed to a yellowish colour as they started to lose their vitality. That finally made me jump into action. The withering signs could only mean one thing; the situation had deteriorated to a CODE RED emergency! I rushed to the hardware shop as I vowed to give that plant the best treatment I could.

Purchased a big pot and made sure to buy the most expensive brand of compost. I remember going through what they had in stock and willing to pay more for the best, whatever it took to nourish the sick plant back to life. With much eagerness and resolve to save the plant, I transferred it into a brand-new pot, filled with nutrient-laden compost before watering it. Placed the tomato plant in what looked like a premium spot outside. Not too much direct sunlight and not too much shade.  Also ensured that the plant's stem was supported to cater for its eventual growth as I pledged to water and keep a constant eye on it. I hoped for the best. Wasn't expecting it to suddenly improve, previous re-planting experience had taught me that it would probably deteriorate a bit while adjusting to the new environment. Days weaved into each other as I waited to see the plant's revival.

The plant died. ​


Not the kind of story that brings a warm cheer to your heart I'm afraid. It didn't even take long before weeds started thriving where the plant should have. What happened to the promising plant, a plant so full of life with great potential to produce abundant tomatoes? Where did I go wrong? Could it be bad timing as far as repotting was concerned? Was there a fault in the process or maybe repotting method? Filled with regret, I asked myself these and myriad other questions. I felt sorry for my little son who also had high hopes for the plant. As I tried to learn from this somewhat tragic end, I realised that answers to some of the questions I'd asked paved the way for life lessons.
read on: Part 2

Comments are closed.

    Introduction

    Uncover inspiring stories with moral lessons from our surroundings.

    By focusing on the beautiful world around us, we find incredible lessons from all creatures great and small, to changing weather patterns and everything under the sun.

    Through analogies, and aunthentic stories, we encourage each other to live a life that’s full and true. You and I can rise against all odds, without bringing harm to others. 

    ​That’s the spirit of Ubuntu!

    Archives

    October 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    March 2018


    ​Categories

    All
    Inspiring Life Lessons
    Plant & Vegetation Analogies
    Stories Inspired By Animals
    The Gratitude Challenge
    The Tomato Plant Series

Ubuntu Courtyard Publishers

OUR STORY

Home
About Us
Children's Books
​​Inspiration Zone
Books & Film Cafe
Journey Chronicles
Contact Us

HOUSEKEEPING

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
​Disclaimer
​© Ubuntu Courtyard 2023
All Rights Reserved.
A divison of Deeds of Fortune Ltd.
71 -75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ, Registered in UNITED KINGDOM,
​Number 10839668
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Children's Books
  • Inspirational Blogs
    • Inspiration Zone
    • Books & Film Cafe
    • Journey Chronicles
  • Contact Us