Two travelers were walking along a bare and dusty road in the heat of a summer day. Parched and weary, they took shelter from the blazing sun under the spreading branches of a plane tree.
 
As they rested in the cool shade, one man looked up and said, “What a useless tree this is.” The other agreed. “I see your point. This is a plant that bears no fruits or nuts; it is of no service to man or beast.”
 
The plane tree was outraged “You ungrateful louts,” she said. “You sit there resting in the shade of my green leaves, well protected from the cruel glare of the sun, and you dare to call me useless?”
 
Many a kindness is met with ingratitude.

11 1/2” diameter