The Oak & the Reeds

 Author: Aesop

Nearby was a large oak that was home to some slender reeds. The massive Oak proudly stood upright with its one hundred arms raised to the sky when the wind blew. The Reeds, however, knelt low and sang a melancholy song while swaying in the wind.

You have cause for complaint, the Oak said. You bow your heads at the slightest breeze that ripples the water's surface, but I, the mighty Oak, stand firm and upright in the face of the howling storm. ".

Do not worry about us, the Reeds retorted. "The winds don't hurt us. We do not break as we bowed before them. You have so far resisted their blows with all of your strength and pride. But it's almost over."

A massive hurricane sprang forth from the north as the Reeds were speaking. While the yielding Reeds bowed low, the Oak stood tall and bravely battled the storm. As the wind increased in ferocity, the large tree suddenly fell, toppled by its roots, and lay among the pitying Reeds.

Moral

When resisting makes no sense, it is better to give in than to persist in your resistance and perish.