The Willow or the Oak
An “old timer” once asked if the willow was stronger than the oak. I was young and bold and quick to answer that the oak is stronger than the willow. The oak stands tall and it does not waiver in the wind. The wind blows and branches of the oak do not yield. The “old timer” looked me in the eye as he poured us a shot of rye whiskey and said you have a strong opinion and are quick to answer. The “old timer” smiled with lips closed and his marble blue eyes twinkled as he said that the willow also stands strong on the lake front shore as summer storm winds blow stronger than the winds that reach the big oaks deep in the woods. The willow branches flex as the wind whips them around, but the willow holds tight to the sandy soil not giving away its ground. His wrinkled face twitched as he took a puff of his pipe and said what is stronger the willow or the oak? Thinking that I was wiser than the 80 year old man, I rubbed my mu...