The Judas Tree
King Brahmadatta of Benares had four sons. Like most boys they were naturally curious of many things in the world. One day someone mentioned a Judas tree which piqued their curiosity, but none of them knew what one was. They decided they would like to see a Judas tree and they sent for their charioteer who would take them wherever they wanted and told him of their desire.
“Take us to see a Judas tree,” they told him.
“Very good, if that is your desire, then I will! When I am ready I will come and take you.” he told them.
First of all, he came for the eldest son and drove him in his chariot to a place where he knew a Judas tree grew and showed it to him. The boy was astonished to see that the tree was covered in brown buds.
The charioteer went for the second eldest son at a time of year when the trunk and branches were covered with glorious pink blossom. The third son he took when green leaves were beginning to unfurl and the fourth he took when its branches were heavy with fruit.
It so happened that some time later when the brothers were all together someone asked what kind of tree was the Judas tree.
The first brother said, “It is like a burnt stump!”
“No,” said the second, “It is like a banyan tree!”
“Not at all!” protested the third, “it is like a green cloud!”
“Never!” cried the fourth, “it is like an acacia!”
They were all puzzled at the very different answers they gave so they went to their father, saying, “Father, tell us what kind of tree is the Judas tree?”
Their father looked surprised at the question and said, “Why do you ask me that, my sons?”
They told him of how they had asked the charioteer to take them to see a Judas tree and he had taken them at different times individually.
“Ah, now I see!” said their father, “All four of you asked him to show you the Judas tree and he fulfilled your request and showed you one. Your problem is that you did not specify you all wanted to see it together, you did not specify the season and that is why the Judas tree is different for all of you. Listen now to this rhyme,
“All have seen the Judas tree
What is your perplexity?
No one asked the charioteer
What its form the livelong year!”
© 18/07/2108 zteve t evans
References, Attributions and Further Reading
Copyright July 18th, 2018 zteve t evans
Under the influence! 
Very interesting! I feel like this story could be an excellent illustration on how different people see different versions of the same thing – and that’s why witness testimony of an event is always a bit scattered.
Absolutely agree! Thanks for commenting, appreciated!
Love this!
Thank you!
Interesting tale on perception and perspective. But more than that, it also tells us a lot about the identity of things that constantly shifts.
Absolutely agree, thanks for commenting, appreciated!