“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”

– Chinese proverb

An old man lay on his deathbed awaiting the inevitable. His dream came to pay its last respects and bid farewell to the man who had never realized it. As the dream entered the room, the man looked away in shame.

“What do you want?” asked the old man.

“To pose a simple question,” replied the dream, pulling up a chair next to the bed.

“Ask and be gone,” said the old man. “My time on this earth is short.”

“Of that,” said the dream, “I am all too distressingly aware.”

“Ask your question,” demanded the old man.

“Why did you not realize me?”

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