A young man asked one of the sages, "Mr. _____, though old, is not a wise man. Why should I listen to him just because he is old, even if he knows nothing?"
The wise man answered, "Suppose there is a stand of old oak trees so dense that no light shines through their branches, and suppose that among the oaks is a weak tree not native to that area that is just as large as the old oak trees. Now, suppose an acorn should turn to a seedling, and that that seedling should try to grow into a tree. Now, if a harsh storm comes, will the old weak tree stand?"
"Of course not," said the young man. "But I would wager that the young oak will!"
"You are correct. But suppose that a storm does not come, will the young oak be able to grow in the shade of that old, weak tree?"
"No, because there will not be any light for the young tree because the old tree will block all of the light."
"So it is with men as well," said the wise man. "Therefore show respect even to the weak of mind and character [among your elders], lest you suffer from lack of light."
[Believe it or not, this started as an idea for part of a science fiction story.]
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