A rich man was riding along the road and saw an old man digging in his garden. There was a young tree lying on the ground. The rich man asked the old man, "What kind of tree are you planting there, my good man?"
"This is a fig (无花果）tree, sir. " He said.
"A fig tree?" the rich man was very surprised. "Why, how old are you, may I ask?"
“I am ninety years old. ''
"What!" shouted the rich man. "You're ninety years old. You are planting a very young tree now and it'll take years to give fruit. You certainly don't hope to live long enough to get any fruit from this tree." The old man smiled and said, "Tell me, sir, did you eat figs when you were a boy?" "Sure," the man did not know why he asked this question.
The old man asked, "Who planted the fig trees?"
"Why? I don't know."
"You see, sir." The old man said slowly, "our forefathers planted trees for us to enjoy and I am doing the same for the people after me."
The rich man was quiet, then said, "you are right, my good man. We should do some things for the people after us. Thank you very much." Then he rode away.
