JUSTICE
1.
The tree grew on the boundary between their yards: it was robust,
luxuriant; it spread its crown over both yards.
2.
For several years after the tree began growing and giving fruit, the
neighbors argued; they went to court to determine whose it was; the
neighbor on the left claimed it was his, the one on the right that it was
his. Commissions came, looked it over, measured it, took notes, drew
sketches, took pictures—and they concluded that the tree rightly belonged
to the neighbor on the left.
3.
While the right neighbor was appealing, the tree grew even more; it filled
out, spread its branches, and blocked his windows; it caused trouble in
opening and closing the gate, which smacked against the branches; it shaded
the flowers and other plants in the yard, and they grew anemic, sick, and
sparse. He took an axe and cut the branches that were in his way.
4.
After much deliberation, the court ruled that the tree belonged to the
neighbor on the right. The neighbor on the left was dissatisfied and
appealed this verdict. And as he appealed (the tree had been cut on the
side of the neighbor on the right), it now started growing and spreading
its branches towards the yard of the neighbor on the left, blocking the
view from his windows, soiling the facade of his house, impeding the growth
of the vegetables in his yard. He also took an axe and cut the branches
that spread over his yard.
5.
After further procedures, the court returned the tree to the neighbor on
the left.
6.
The tree, now cut on both sides, in order to keep its balance, to survive,
started spreading its roots, thickening them, draining more moisture to
restore the strength of its branches. The roots started digging into the
yard of the neighbor on the left, rising above ground as well, stretching
out and further hindering the growth of his vegetables, intruding on the
foundation of his house. Seeing this hazard, he took an axe and cut them.
7.
After the next hearing, the tree again became the property of the neighbor
on the right.
But the tree, because it had been left with only half of its
roots, or because it became diseased from the constant interference and
pruning, shriveled and died.
