The Parable of the Merciful Gardener (Luke 13.6-9)

The Parable of the Merciful Gardener (Luke 13.6-9)

The gardener who in the vineyard works,
one day the owner asked him to explain:
“The past three years, I come here seeking fruit.
This fig tree from production still abstains.

“Why should it waste the precious dirt this way?
I’m now suggesting that you cut it down.”

Instead, proposing this alternative,
the dresser of the vines described its ground:

“Sir, one more year, the soil around its roots.
Aeration, and manure I will apply.
If once again, no fruit appears next year,
I’ll cut it down, throw it into the fire.”