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A man had a fig tree in his garden. For three years he came to the tree at the time when it should have delicious figs on it. He wanted to pick some figs to eat, and some to take home for his family, and some to give to his friends. But each year the tree didn't have any figs on it!
A man who we are going to call Manuel tended his garden for him. The owner said to Manuel: "This tree is just taking up space in my garden. It is no good, because it never has any figs on it! Please take it out and plant something else."
Manuel said: "Sir, please let me try once more to get the tree to grow figs. I will break up the soil around it's trunk with my hoe, and put fertilizer down. If that helps, and there are figs next year; won't that be great? But if it still doesn't grow figs next year, I will cut it down and plant something else."
Did you know that we live in a garden? That's right, we do! Do you know whose garden this is? Who do you think? If you thought it was Jehovah's garden, you are right! So, does that give you a hint as to who the fig tree might be? Or whose part Manuel was playing in the story? Let's talk about that.
Do you feel like a tree? Well, in this story, the tree is playing the part of you! In the story, the tree's owner was expecting figs from the tree. Actually, it could be any fruit, but in this story the fruit is figs. Why not ask your mother for a fig cookie right now, to get you more in the mood of the story. Just as the garden's owner in the story wanted fruit from his tree, so Jehovah wants fruit from you and me. You may ask: "How can I grow fruit?" Well, the Bible says that our fruit is helping other people, being nice to them, and telling them about Jehovah.
Now, let's talk about the part of Manuel in the story. Whose part do you think he was playing? Who is Jehovah's main helper? Who takes care of us all here in our garden? Jesus, that's who! So do you see how the story shows that Jesus helps us to grow fruit to please Jehovah? Just like Manuel offered to fertilize the fig tree, and loosen the soil around it around it, so Jesus helps us. Jesus gave us the food we need to grow good fruit. And what is this good food? Jesus' teachings in the Bible, that's what!