A farmer had a friend and his friend was famous for growing apple trees.
One day, the farmer's friend gave him a young apple tree and told him to take it home and plant it.
The farmer loved the gift. But when he got home, he did not know where to plant it. He was afraid that if he planted the tree near the road, strangers would steal the apples. If he planted the tree in one of his fields, his neighbors would come at night and steal the apples. If he planted the tree near his house, his children would take the apples. Finally he planted the tree in his wood. Nobody could see it, but there was no sunlight in his wood, the tree soon died.
Later, the friend asked the farmer why he planted the tree in such poor place. "What's the difference?" the farmer said angrily. "If I plant the tree near the road, strangers may steal the apples. If I plant the tree in one of my fields, my neighbors may come at night and steal the apples. If I plant the tree near my house, my children may take the apples."
"Yes," said the friend, "but at least someone could enjoy the apples. Now no one could eat the apples, and the apple tree died!"
