The Seven Seeds---More Info
Parents all over the world devote themselves to providing for the needs of their children. Most parents,
in addition to meeting basic needs, desire to contribute to the future success and happiness of their offspring; however,
being effective in that role may also be their greatest concern. What
parent wouldn’t be thrilled to be able to leave their children with a message that would serve to enable them to live
a purposeful and fulfilling life? On the other hand, what parent believes they are well prepared to deliver such a life-altering
message? How many sons and daughters grow up noticing that even some comments made by their parents, that might have seemed
insignificant when made, have had profound effects? Imagine how priceless an
experience it is for a parent to be told by their adult child that parental guidance had made an important and valued difference
in that child’s life?
The Seven Seeds is a story that takes place during an evening gathering
of an old man and his adult children. It is unusual for the Old Man and all of
his children to be together because the children live far away. The evening starts
with lighthearted and teasing banter; however the mood shifts when one of the children says, "Father, you have sent us to the great schools, colleges and universities and we have read great books and heard
great lectures, but they have taught us so little of life. Although we have had
accomplishments, we have not realized our potential. Although we live well, we are not at peace. You have had so much success Father, please tell us of a better way to live." The Old Man spends the rest of the evening telling his children how he has spent his life reaping the harvests
of seven seeds that he discovered had been planted within him.
The Old Man in The Seven Seeds
is patterned after the author's father, Jeremiah Gumbs, who was known for reciting great poetry and literature to the author and his siblings, as well as
sharing the principles that he believed were responsible for the extraordinary accomplishments of his life. Out of a childhood of poverty, he became a scholar; a successful entrepreneur and investor in real estate;
a community benefactor; a champion of the cause of self-determination for the people of his homeland in Anguilla; and a key
participant in their revolutionary effort. That effort received tremendous international
attention in the late 1960’s when he spoke at the United Nations on behalf of his country and was featured prominently
in the U.S. and International media.
Feedback from those who have purchased The Seven Seeds indicates that they find The Old Man’s message to be heartfelt, insightful
and valuable. The readers loved the story’s brevity, simplicity and universality.
Additionally, they found the closing poem to be inspiring, motivational and visionary. Remarkably, even those not usually
interested in poetry find the Old Man’s closing poem to be compelling. In
addition to buying the book for themselves, many of those who have purchased the book were parents who wished to offer a valuable
and inspiring message to their children as a gift. On the other hand, many bought
the book for their parents as a gift acknowledging the value that parental guidance had made in their lives. Readers cite that The Seven Seeds puts them
in touch with the special bond that exists between parent and child as well as the profound love that parents have for their
children. To some, that bond and that love too often go unnoticed or unacknowledged.
