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Lessons for Life from The Bean Trees - Page 2

© Nancie Metro

On a visit to the desert, Taylor and her friends see a bird that has built her nest in a cactus “with bushy arms and a coat of yellow spines as thick as fur. In and out she flew among the horrible spiny branches, never once hesitating. You just couldn’t imagine how she’d made a home in there” (124). Isn’t this a striking picture of the sometimes inescapable harshness of life? Yet a lesson from the little bird is that you make the best of what you have and keep going. Perhaps you can you find strength in this image to meet whatever challenges you face. This also fits with something Taylor’s mother liked to say. “‘The way I see it [. . .] a person isn’t nothing more than a scarecrow. [. . .] The only difference between one that stands up good and one that blows over is what kind of a stick they’re stuck up there on’” (5). In the story, we see all kinds of people stuck up on good sticks: Taylor who strikes out on her own, Turtle who has suffered unspeakable abuse, Edna who is blind and Virgie who takes care of her, the Salvadorian refuges like Estevan and Esperanza, and Maddie who helps them.

*Personal Application: Think about what kind of “stick” you have. What makes a good, strong stick? How can you make yours stronger? This helps us better face and learn from challenges.

And the title image, that of the bean trees, is described as a miracle: “‘Bean trees,’ [Turtle] said, as plainly as if she had been thinking about it all day. We looked where she was pointing. Some of the wisteria flowers had gone to seed, and all these wonderful long green pods hung down from the branches. They looked as much like beans as anything you’d ever care to eat. “‘Will you look at that,’ I said. It was another miracle” (143-144). As seeds and plants grow, so do the main characters and they experience miracles, as well: Turtle blossoms with the love and warmth given her by Taylor and friends. Taylor finds her place in the world as she establishes a community akin to family with new friends and neighbors. Everytime something grows, be it plant or person, a miracle happens all over again.

A night-blooming cereus and a blind neighbor teaches another lesson. The plant stands “in the corner in its crumbling pot, flattened and spiny and frankly extremely homely” (185). Taylor evens wonders “why Virgie Mae didn’t throw the thing out” (185). She soon learns that it’s because of the large balloon-like flowers, nearly transparent, a “fairy boat” that blooms just one night a year (186). Isn’t this like life? We often don’t recognize our own or others’ beauty and true worth. But it’s always there. And everyone has something to contribute. After all, it’s Edna, who is blind, that detects the delicate scent of the flower.

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