The Parable of The Little Tree in The Big Forest

Once upon a time in a vast and ancient forest, there grew a Little Tree. This Little Tree was full of potential, dreaming of reaching the sky and providing shade and fruit to all the woodland creatures. But the path to greatness was fraught with challenges.

The Tall Trees and the Struggle for Sunlight

The Little Tree found itself surrounded by towering oaks and pines, whose thick canopies blocked much of the sunlight. Every day, The Little Tree stretched its branches higher, yearning for the nourishing rays of the sun. The Tall Trees represented the large corporations and well-established businesses, their vast resources and established presence overshadowing The Little Tree’s aspirations.

Despite the lack of sunlight, The Little Tree didn’t give up. It whispered to The Tall Trees, "Can you share a bit of your sunlight with me?" But The Tall Trees, focused on their own growth, hardly noticed The Little Tree’s plea.

The Stony Ground of Resources

As The Little Tree’s roots delved deeper into the soil, they encountered rocks and hard ground. These stones were obstacles that made it difficult to find the nutrients and water needed to grow. The stony ground symbolises the lack of access to resources and financing that often plagues Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs).

The Little Tree learned to grow around the rocks, seeking out the pockets of fertile soil where it could. It was a slow and arduous process, but The Little Tree was persistent. It knew that resilience was the key to survival.

The Fierce Winds of Regulation

One day, fierce winds swept through the forest, shaking The Little Tree to its core. These winds represented the complex and ever-changing regulations that MSMEs must navigate. The Little Tree’s young branches bent under the pressure, and some even broke.

"How can I stand tall in such a storm?" The Little Tree wondered. It saw the older trees swaying but not breaking, their roots firmly anchored. The Little Tree realised it needed to strengthen its roots and adapt to the winds, learning to bend without breaking.

The Hungry Beasts of Competition

As The Little Tree began to grow taller, it faced new threats: hungry beasts that roamed the forest floor. These beasts, with their sharp teeth and insatiable hunger, symbolise fierce competition. The Little Tree watched as some of its young sapling friends were trampled and devoured by these predators.

To protect itself, The Little Tree grew thorns on its lower branches. It learned to be vigilant and innovative, finding ways to coexist with the beasts rather than being consumed by them.

The Seasons of Economic Change

The Little Tree also had to endure the changing seasons, each bringing its own challenges. Harsh winters represented economic downturns, where resources were scarce and growth slowed to a crawl. Spring brought new opportunities, but also the uncertainty of sudden storms.

Through each season, The Little Tree adapted. In winter, it conserved its energy, and in spring, it embraced new growth with vigour. The Little Tree learned that flexibility and foresight were essential for weathering the cycles of change.

The Wisdom of the Forest

As years passed, The Little Tree grew stronger and taller. It looked up to the sky and saw that, despite the challenges, it had grown significantly. The Tall Trees no longer seemed as daunting, and The Little Tree realised it had carved out its own space in the forest.

One day, a wise old owl perched on one of The Little Tree’s branches and said, "You have done well, Little Tree. You faced many challenges, but you adapted and persevered. Remember, it is not only the tallest trees that define the forest, but the diversity and resilience of all its trees."

The Little Tree, now a sturdy young tree, understood the wisdom of the owl’s words. It knew that every challenge had made it stronger and more resilient. The forest was not just a place of competition but also a community where every tree, no matter how small, had a role to play.

The Moral of the Story

Every large corporate out there today, at some time in their history, started out as a MSME (and most likely a family-owned one) – the journey of The Little Tree mirrors the path of MSMEs.

We face towering competition, resource scarcity, regulatory pressures, fierce competition, and economic fluctuations. Yet, through resilience, adaptability, and innovation, we can grow and thrive, contributing to the diversity and strength of the economic forest.