A tiny fig tree needs time to grow. But how much time? All four seasons go by . . . and there are no figs. The seasons pass again. Still no figs! Is the fig tree good for nothing?
Inspired by the parable of the Barren Fig Tree, The Good for Nothing Tree reminds us that the sweetest figs, like many other things, are worth waiting for. Not every tree—and not every child—grows at the same pace. Yet patience, care, and love can change everything, making what may appear “good for nothing” very good.
A note about the parable’s New Testament origins and a recipe are included.
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Excerpt from The Good for Nothing Tree
Sandy Eisenberg Sasso is the Director of Religion, Spirituality and the Arts Initiative at Indiana University- Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) Arts and Humanities Institute, as well as Rabbi Emerita of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck. Her many children's books include A Very Big Problem, Who Is My Neighbor?, The Marvelous Mustard Seed, and Who Counts?, all cowritten with Amy-Jill Levine, and the classic God's Paintbrush. For more information, visit www.allaboutand.com.
Amy-Jill Levine, the author of numerous acclaimed books, is Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford Seminary and University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita as well as Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt. She has cowritten many children's books with Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, including A Very Big Problem, Who Is My Neighbor?, The Marvelous Mustard Seed, and Who Counts?