Once a man who was riding along a road, saw a very old man digging in the garden. Beside the old man on the ground there lay a young tree ready to be planted. The rider stopped to watch and after a few minutes called out to the old man: "What kind of tree are you planting there, my good man?" The old man wiped his brow and picked up the tree. "This is a fig tree, sir" — he said. "A fig tree?" — he cried astonished. "Why? How old are you. May I ask?" "Ninety" — said the old man. "What!" — cried the rider. "You are ninety years old and you plant the tree that will take years and years to give fruit?" "Why not?" — replied the old man. The rider pointed to the tree. "You don't think you'll live long enough to get any good from the work you are doing?" The old man looked around his garden. Then he smiled and said, "Tell me, sir, did you eat figs when you were a boy?" "Certainly". The rider sounded surprised. "Why?" The old man smiled again. "Then tell me this", he said, "Who planted the trees from which figs were picked?" "I don't know" said the rider. "You see, sir" the old man continued, — "our forefathers planted the trees for us to enjoy, and I am doing the same for those who come after me. How else can I repay my debt to those who lived before me?" The rider was silent for a moment and then said: "You are very wise, old man, and I have been foolish".