REFLECTIONS

O
nce upon a time in the heart of the Eastern Kingdom lay your heart, for if I do not cut so, I
a beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the day was cannot use you.”
the Master of the garden, who went for a walk. Of all “Master, Master, then cut and
the dwellers of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a divide.”
gracious and noble Bamboo. So did the Master of the
Year after year Bamboo grew yet more beautiful and gracious. garden take Bamboo and cut him
He was conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight. Yet down and hack off his branches
he was modest and in all things gentle. Often when Wind came and strip off his leaves and divide
to revel in the garden, Bamboo would throw aside his dignity. He him in two and cut out his heart.
would dance and sway merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping Lifting him gently, he carried him
and bowing in joyous abandon. He would lead the great dance of to where there was a spring of
the garden which most delighted his Master’s heart. fresh, sparkling water in the midst
One day the Master of Master’s dry fields.
himself drew near to Then putting down one end

Bamboo contemplate his Bamboo.

With eyes of curious
expectancy, Bamboo bowed
of Bamboo in the spring, and the
other end into the water channel
in his field, the Master laid down
his great head to the ground gently his beloved Bamboo. The
in loving greeting. The spring sang welcome. The clear
Master spoke: “Bamboo, sparkling water raced joyously
Bamboo, I would use you.” down the channel of Bamboo’s
Bamboo said, “Master, torn body into the waiting fields.
I am ready, use me as you Then the rice was planted
want.” and the days went by. The shoots
“Bamboo,” the Master’s grew. The harvest came. In that
voice was grave, “I would day was Bamboo, once so glorious
be obliged to take you and cut you down.” A trembling of great in his stately beauty, yet more
horror shook Bamboo. glorious in his brokenness and
“Cut ... me ... down? Me, whom You, Master, have made the humility. For in his beauty he
most beautiful in all of Your garden? To cut me down? Ah, not was life abundant. But in his
that! Not that! Use me for Your joy, O Master, but cut me not brokenness he became a channel
down!” of abundant life to his Master’s
“Beloved Bamboo,” the Master’s voice grew graver still, “if I world!
do not cut you down, then I cannot use you.” “And when He had called
The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly the people unto Him with His
bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper. Bamboo disciples also, He said unto them,
replied, “Master, if You cannot use me unless You cut me down, ‘Whosoever will come after Me,
then do Your will and cut.” let him deny himself, and take
“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would cut your leaves and up his cross, and follow Me.
branches from you also.” For whosoever will save his life
“Master, Master, spare me! Cut me down and lay my beauty shall lose it; but whosoever shall
in the dust, but would You take from me my leaves and branches lose his life for My sake and the
also?” Gospel’s, the same shall save it.
“Bamboo, alas! If I do not cut them away, I cannot use you.” For what shall it profit a man, if
The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. he shall gain the whole world,
Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low, and lose his own soul?’” (Mark
“Master, cut away.” 8:34–36).
“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would divide you in two and cut out —Author Unknown

R6
Reflections © 1992 The Family
David Brandt Berg (1919–1994) was founder of The Family.
Visit our Web site at www.thefamily.org.

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Topics: death, Heaven, loved ones waiting on the other side, faith