Roots and Flowers

“Which is more important - the flowers or the roots?”

“Well, the flowers are so lovely, while the roots are just gnarled and ugly and down in the depths. Wouldn’t it be great if we could just have all these flowers but without the roots?”

“Well, the roots can get by without the flowers, not vice versa.”

“But the flowers can get by for a while, say in a nice vase with some water.”

“Not for long. All that’s in the vase soon enough is withered flowers, useless stalks and smelly water.”