Flowers and seeds !

From flowers to seeds is one way of completing the cycle in the life of a tree. 

What interested me was how the seeds got dispersed from the shell of dried seeds. The shell splits open and spreads its seeds widely. The second photo above, of the split open shells is an interesting object lesson for many reasons. 

The seed shell would split open when the seeds and shell are fully dry. Once open, the shells spread the seeds with the help of the wind. Some birds feed on them and they spread the seeds through their bird droppings. When the branches of a tree are pruned, the seeds get carried away to the compost or to a distant place.  Some branches would be used as firewood in which case the seeds get burnt. A collector would gather the seed and shells for their artistic designs and would arrange them in the show case at home in which case the seeds remain stored for the future. A gardener might gather all the seeds to produce seedlings.....

The story of a seed is a fascinating story. It has a history of its own. 

When we buy a sapling from a nursery, it carries a history with it. When we plant it in the garden, we continue its history. 

Both Anna and I have crossed our seventieth year. We carry a history with us of experiences, learning, and insights. We inherited some of them, but most of them were shared experiences with others. 

It is others who contributed to enlarge our history just as the seeds have a history only with the assistance it receives.   

So I wonder why there is a strong sense of independence and personal pursuit of comfort among many of us, after having been formed and enlarged by others. 

What we have received from others is often more than what we have been able to give away. We are debtors to others in that sense! 

If debtors we are under obligation to be even more generous towards others, in thought, deed and regard!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)