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Honi and the Carob Tree

In short: A man plants a tree whose fruit his grandchildren will pick. When Honi asks him why, the man recalls the trees he grew up with.

Honi and the Carob Tree · A sapling planted for the grandchildren FAIRY TALE ATLAS · № 288 Honi and the Carob Tree A man plants a tree whose fruit his grandchildren will pick. Origin Jewish narrative tradition. Written source: Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 23a. Atlas record Undated First appearance Exact date unknown SIGNATURE MOTIF A sapling planted for the grandchildren Reach¹ 1/10 Suggested age² 8+ Member rating No votes yet 1 records · 1 countries or regions blackhorsestories.com

¹ Based on the number of Atlas countries, capped at 10. ² Editorial suggestion for reading this page. Discover Black Horse’s question

Origin and tradition

Jewish narrative tradition. Written source: Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 23a.

In Taanit 23a of the Babylonian Talmud, Honi asks a man planting a carob how long it will take to bear fruit. The answer is seventy years. He found trees planted by others when he came into the world, so he plants one for those who come after him. Honi falls asleep and wakes seventy years later to see the man’s grandson harvesting the fruit. The Jerusalem pin marks the library that uses the story to discuss responsibility across generations.

Dated records and sources

  1. Undated · Jerusalem · National Library
    Babylonian Talmud · Taanit 23a:15–16 · Sefaria · Public retelling

Country pages

Origin
Black Horse. Honi and the Carob Tree. https://blackhorsestories.com/en/atlas-tale-honi-carob-tree/