A gnarled, twisted tree stood in the forest, ignored by carpenters because its wood was useless. Seasons passed, and storms bent its branches, yet it survived while other trees were cut down or died in fire. Travelers found shade beneath its branches and birds nested safely in its arms. The tree, seemingly worthless by worldly standards, had served countless beings over decades simply by being what it was. Similarly, what appears useless or insignificant in the world may possess great spiritual value. True worth is not measured by social utility but by the life it sustains and the wisdom it embodies. [[Lao Tzu]] (6th century BCE) Chinese philosopher, founder of Taoism [[PhilosophyWorks.org]]