P. S. - Of course, a lot of the suggested answers in this film we have already heard about long ago. But I did get to thinking - is there any tree that produces blooms, but not fruit, in its natural state - that is, untinkered-with by botanists and commercial growers? I consulted M. P., who in addition to being Chef Supreme is also Head Gardener here, and has the green-thumb gene your Head Trucker missed out on. He informs me that he knows of two such naturally non-fruit-bearing trees: dogwoods and redbuds.
Both of them such beautiful things when in bloom! Fabulous. I myself think that there doesn't necessarily have to be a concrete reason for beauty in the world - some things just are what they are, you know? Not everything beautiful is particularly useful, but then - does it have to be?
The evanescent trace of a shooting star - the golden glow of a full moon rising - the susurration of a gentle rain - the smell of new-mown grass - the warmth of a handclasp - the touch of a lover's lips - the scientists may scribble and scratch until doomsday parsing the nature of such things, but what would be gained? It is enough that Beauty exists, and gladdens the hearts of men wherever they find it.
For beauty is one of the things that make us human. The animals cannot conceive it - the plants do not need it. No, the ineffable joy of the beautiful belongs to mankind alone: the great gift of the Love that moves the stars. And that beauty is in us, too - if we nurture it. Beauty, truth, and goodness - if you want a trinity to adore, that is a fine place to begin.
One more thing - the evolutionary theory about the usefulness of the "gay uncle" is very clever - but note that it is not a proven fact, just a happy thought. Some of us have no nephews or nieces, you know.
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