THE BAMBOO SERVANT
Once upon a time, in the heart of an ancient Kingdom, there was a beautiful garden. And there, in the cool of the day, the Master of the garden would walk. Of all the plants of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble bamboo.
Year after year, Bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, conscious of his Master's love and watchful delight. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would dance and play, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the Great Dance of the garden, which most delighted the Master's heart.
One day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy. And Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master spoke: "Bamboo, I would use you." Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight. The day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny. His voice came low: "Master, I'm ready. Use me as you wish."
"Bamboo, I would have to take you and cut you down."
A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo. "Cut--me--down? Me...whom you, Master, has made the most beautiful in all your Garden--cut me down? Oh, not that. Not that. Use me for the joy, use me for the glory, oh Master, but do not cut me down!"
"Beloved Bamboo," The Master's voice grew graver still "If I do not cut you down, I cannot use you."
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There was a whisper: "Master, if you cannot use me other than to cut me down, then do your will and cut."
"Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would also cut your leaves and branches from you."
"Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but would you also have to take from me my leaves and branches too?"
"Bamboo, if I do not cut them away, I cannot use you."
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low: "Master, cut away"
"Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you."
Then Bamboo bowed to the ground: "Master, Master--then cut and split."
So did the Master of the garden took Bamboo and cut him down, hacked off his branches, stripped off his leaves, split him in two and cut
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