The Forgotten Seed

In a quiet farming village in China, a farmer kneels over a small patch of land. The sun has barely risen, the mist still clings to the earth, but he begins his ritual. With care, he digs a hole, drops in a small seed, and covers it with soil. It is the seed of the Chinese bamboo tree, a plant that demands more patience than most human beings can afford to give.

From that day on, his routine is simple: water the soil, nurture it, and wait.

One month later, the soil looks the same.
Six months later, still nothing.
A whole year passes, and the land is bare.

By the second year, neighbours shake their heads. “You are wasting water,” they laugh. “Plant rice or corn — at least you will have something to eat.”

By the third year, even family members begin to whisper. “How long will you keep pouring into nothing?”

By the fourth year, the farmer himself wrestles with doubt. Each morning, he waters the soil that stubbornly hides its promise. Each evening, he wonders if he has been a fool.

And then, in the fifth year, the miracle happens. A thin green shoot breaks through the ground. Almost overnight, the bamboo erupts. Within just five weeks, it stretches nearly 90 feet into the sky.

Photo Credit: Pinterest | Another fun fact about the tree is that Bamboo shoots are eaten across Asia and parts of Africa. They’re rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals — a healthy, low-calorie food.

But here’s the truth: the bamboo didn’t grow in five weeks. It grew in five years. All along, beneath the ground, it was spreading roots — deep, strong, unshakable foundations that could carry the weight of sudden growth. Without those hidden roots, the bamboo would have collapsed under its own height.

Life Is the Bamboo Tree

The story of the bamboo tree is not about farming. It is about life.
It is about you.

How many times have you felt like the farmer?

• You give your best at school or work, but no one seems to notice.

• You invest in your business, but the profits are slow.

• You pour into your dreams, but results refuse to appear.

It’s easy to feel like quitting. To wonder if the seed you planted is even real. To envy others whose success seems instant.

But the bamboo reminds us: not all growth is visible. Sometimes, the most important progress is happening underground. The roots of discipline, resilience, skill, and character are forming. Your dream may not be visible yet, but it is alive.

African Wisdom and the Bamboo Truth

Africa knows this truth well. Our ancestors, through proverbs, already understood the bamboo principle.

• “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” (African proverb)

• “Patience can cook a stone.” (African proverb)

These sayings echo the same lesson: strong foundations and patience are what carry great things.

Think about Nelson Mandela. He spent 27 years in prison, hidden away, seemingly buried by history. To the world, it looked like wasted time. But Mandela was building roots — resilience, vision, wisdom. When he finally emerged, he didn’t just rise; he towered like bamboo, reshaping a nation.

Photo Credit: Pinterest | Did you know that Mandela’s birth name was Rolihlahla, meaning “pulling the branch of a tree” or informally, “troublemaker.” The name Nelson was given by a schoolteacher.

Or consider Aliko Dangote. For years, his name was not on any Forbes list. He was quietly building, importing cement, investing in sugar, laying the groundwork. Today, he stands tall as Africa’s richest man. To many, it looks like overnight success, but the bamboo roots were growing long before anyone noticed.

Photo Credit: Pinterest | Dangote became the first billionaire in Nigeria in 2007.

Or take Serena Williams. After childbirth complications, she almost died. Doctors doubted her comeback. But she trained, prepared, rebuilt. By the time she returned to Wimbledon, she was no longer just an athlete; she was a symbol of perseverance. The bamboo had broken through the soil.

Photo Credit: Pinterest | Fun fact about Serena is that she won the 2017 Australian Open while two months pregnant with her daughter, Olympia.

Why We Struggle With “Root Seasons”

The hardest part of the bamboo story is the waiting.
We live in a world of instant noodles, instant messaging, instant likes. Everything seems quick. Success stories we see online rarely show the years of silence before the spotlight.

But waiting seasons are not wasted seasons. They are root seasons.

Think about a house. Nobody praises the foundation, but without it, the mansion collapses.
Think about a tree. The tallest ones spend the longest time unseen, deepening their roots.

Your root season is when:

• You’re learning skills nobody claps for.

• You’re fighting battles nobody sees.

• You’re building character nobody posts about.

It is frustrating, yes. But it is necessary. Because if you rise too soon without roots, the wind of life will topple you.

Monday Reset Lessons

Here are the three truths the bamboo tree whispers to us this Monday:

1. Delayed growth is not denied growth. Just because you don’t see results doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Patience is part of the process.

2. Roots before branches. Focus on building inner strength — your habits, your discipline, your values — before chasing outer success.

3. Consistency beats intensity. The farmer watered every day. Not once a month, not when he felt motivated. Daily, faithful effort is what made the miracle possible.

How to “Water Your Bamboo” This Week

• Set one non-negotiable habit (study an hour daily, call a client, write 500 words). Water your dream.

• Remind yourself of the root work — journal what skills or lessons you are gaining, even if results aren’t visible.

• Celebrate patience. Instead of comparing your pace to others, recognize that your bamboo has its own season.

Final Word

The Chinese bamboo tree is more than a plant. It is a mirror of life. It reminds us that silence is not emptiness, waiting is not wasting, and patience is not weakness.

So, as you step into this week, remember:

• Keep watering your dream, even if nothing breaks the surface yet.

• Trust the roots you are building — resilience, wisdom, discipline.

• Believe in your bamboo moment.

Because when it comes, you will not just grow — you will rise with a force so undeniable that the world will ask, “Where did this come from?”

The deeper your roots, the taller your rise.