提要

Once upon a time, there lived a wise and witty old man Jack. He was courageous and very fond of nature. He celebrated his 100th birthday with his entire family.

Jack had a fabulous habit of planting a tree every year on his birthday. He used to plant a variety of flower-bearing trees and fruit-bearing trees. He was having a massive garden in his home. To celebrate the century, he planted a fig plant, his most favorite fruit.

The emperor who passed by his home was surprised to see this old man planting a fig tree. He asked his soldier to bring the old man to his court and talked him!

"Dear old-timer, I was pleased and surprised as you were planting a fig tree! I wish you could have planted the fig tree when you were young. I guess you are now in your 90s and there is little hope that you shall taste the fruits from this tree."

Jack replied, "My Lord, yes I'm aware of it. I'm 100 years old now. I just planted the fig tree to celebrate my 100th birthday. And this is not the first tree I'm planting. I have planted more than 1000 trees in my whole life! I still have faith and hope that I shall live for at least 10 years to taste the fruits borne by this tree after a decade. If not, I will let my tree be enjoyed by my family and neighbors!"

The emperor was happy to hear that and hugged the old man Jack. He said, "You are such an adorable person. Just come back to me if you are still with us after years with a basket of figs. I would love to see you again!"

Jack thanked the emperor and left the place.

After a decade, the fig tree started to have ripe fruits. Jack was happy and tasted the first ripen fruit. It was very delicious. The old man recalled the king's words and picked the choicest fruits, filled a basket, and carried to the palace.

The king was informed that an old man came with a basket of figs, he recalled the words he uttered to the old man and happily welcomed him. He enjoyed the figs provided by the old man. The king ordered his minister to fill the basket with emerald, diamonds, Sapphires and asked his soldiers to drop the old man at his home. The grandpa was happy!

Hard work and hope will always be honored.

解說

從前有個機智詼諧的老人傑克。他既勇敢，又很喜歡大自然。他已經和全家高高興興地慶祝了自己的100歲生日。

傑克有個絕妙的習慣，就是在每年他生日那天種一棵樹。他種過各種花樹、果樹。他家有很大的花園。為了慶祝這個世紀生日，他種了一種無花果植物，是他最喜歡的水果。

路過他家的皇帝，剛好看到老人種無花果，非常驚喜。他吩咐士兵把老人帶到宮庭上和他談話。

「親愛的老前輩，你種了一棵無花果樹，我既高興又驚訝！我希望你能在年輕的時候，種下這棵無花果樹。我猜你現在已經90多歲了，幾乎沒希望能嘗到這樹上的果實了吧。」

傑克回答：「是的，陛下，我知道。我現在100歲了。我種這無花果樹來慶祝百歲生日。這不是我種的第一棵，我這一生已經種了一千多棵樹！我仍有信心，希望至少還能活十年，十年後品嘗這棵樹所結的果實；如果不行，我會讓家人還有鄰居享用。」

皇帝聽了很高興，一把抱住了老傑克說：「你真是個可愛的人，若干年後你還和我們同在的話，就拿著一籃無花果回來找我吧。我很想再見到你！」

傑克謝過皇帝之後，離開了。

十年後，成熟的無花果樹開始結果。傑克很高興，嘗了第一個成熟的果實後，覺得非常好吃。他想起國王的話，於是精挑細選碩大豐美的果實，裝滿了籃子，抬進王宮。

國王得知有一位老人帶著滿滿一籃無花果來了，他想起對老人說過的話，高興地歡迎他。他很享受老人提供的無花果，囑咐大臣在籃子裡裝滿祖母綠、鑽石和藍寶石，並讓他的士兵護送老人回家。老爺爺高興極了！

努力和抱持希望，永遠會得到尊重。