Symbiosis versus parasitism

Yesterday I was feeling weighed down by some stuff that has been on my mind for quite some time. A very dear friend of mine offered to take me out for coffee and try and cheer me up a little, but considering this would be the second time in as many weeks, my first instinct was to decline...I mean, who wants to be seen as 'that' sort of friend – the one who is always down in the dumps and needs lifting up?

Anyway, somehow the coffee did happen and as a matter of fact, it turned out not to be a 'tissues and hankies' affair but a very interesting current affairs discussion.

This reminds me of a very curious bougainvillea plant I once saw. Generally, the bougainvillea is a low growing, creeping bush. It is often grown as a fence or along walls which only reach up to about 3 metres high. However this particular bougainvillea plant had found a 30 feet tree and attached itself to it. As a result, it was towering way above all the others and I could see its beautiful flowers from a great distance off. I am very sure it was enjoying the plentiful sunshine and the fresh air way up there. In return, the otherwise common looking tree was transformed into a beautiful, flower covered tree.

Like the bougainvillea, I realised, it is necessary to benefit from my friend's strengths. No one person has it all together within themselves. While giving help to my friend when she needs it and accepting hers in return, I am actually forming a symbiotic alliance, sort of like the bougainvillea and the tree. As to who is the bougainvillea and who is the tree..... that is a story for another day!