A farmer once had a friend who was famous for wonderful apple trees which he grew.
One day this friend gave the farmer a fine young tree and told him to take it home and plant it.
The farmer was pleased with the gift, but when he got home he did not know how to plant it.
If he planted it near the road, people might steal the fruit.
If he planted it in his field, his neighbours might come at night and rob him.
If he planted it near the house, his own children might steal the apples.
Finally he planted the tree deep in the woods where no one could see it.
But naturally the tree couldn't grow without sunlight and suitable soil.
In time, it withered and died.
Later his friend was criticising him for planting the tree in such a poor place.
«What is the difference», the farmer said.
«If I had planted the tree near the road, people would have stolen the fruit.
If I had planted it in my field, my neighbours would have come at night and robbed me.
If I had planted it near my house, my own children would have stolen the apples».
«Indeed!
But at least someone could have enjoyed the fruit», said his friend.
«Now you have robbed everyone of the apples, and you have destroyed a fine tree».