A young father was asking an elderly neighbor how strict parents should be with their children.
The old man pointed to a string between a big, strong tree and a thin, young one, saying: “Untie the string.”
The young father did so and at once the young tree bent over the big one. Then the old asked the young to tie it again, and immediately the young tree stood upright as it used to.
Now said the old man: “There, it is the same with children. You must be strict with them for their healthy growth. But sometimes you must let them stand alone to see if they are strong enough. Being strict with them is for the sake of their independent development.”
初为人父的男子询问一位上了年纪的邻居，问父母该对孩子怎么个严厉法。
老人指着绑在一株粗壮的大树与一株瘦弱小树之间的绳索，道：“解开绳子。”
男子解开了绳索，小树立即弯向了大树。然后老人又叫年轻人系好绳索，小树马上站得笔直笔直的，一如既往。
这时老人发话了：“瞧，这跟养孩子一个样。为了他们的健康成长，你必须对他们严格要求。但有时你得让他们自立，看看他们长大了没有。对他们严格是为了他们独立成长。”