Michael Creed

During a recent visit to Israel, my attention was drawn to a dirt lot, somewhere in the middle of the Judean region. The lot was filled with what looked like rough pieces of wood lying in disorganized piles. I assumed that they were lumberyard rejects, and inquired of their purpose. Our guide explained that they were actually olive trees. To my amazement, he began to explain that these stumps would be planted and watered. Soon this abandoned field would be a beautiful grove of olive trees. He shared with us how durable the olive tree is and how it is used in these three ways:

In the Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007, a man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about forty-five minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After three minutes, a middle-aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds before hurrying to meet his schedule.

4 Minutes:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat, and without stopping, continued to walk.