Finally, after this one last event, all of the cynics withdrew their conjured claims of mosaic nepotism. Apparently, the earthquake which tracked, targeted, and swallowed Korach, his closest relatives, and their homes did not give the hold-outs peace, nor did the fire that consumed two hundred and fifty followers of Korach. Yet the tranquil but unnatural budding of Aharon's otherwise dead rod, pulled out from among the dormant representative rods of his competitors, did finally resolve all that fed this monster of machlokes. And of this most impressive incident, each rejected leader wanted their own personal souvenir.
"and the rod of Aharon...grew buds and the buds matured and its blossoms bloomed and it bore ripe almonds. And Moshe brought out all the rods from before Hashem [and showed them] to the Jews and they [each leader] looked at the rods [that did not sprout] and each one took his rod" (Bamidbar 17:23-24).
That the story continues with holding onto Aharon's rod for safekeeping and as an eternal reminder of the divine selection of Aharon is well understood. Yet the interest that each leader had in their failed attempt to upset Aharon's position seems like keeping the salt in an open wound. Perhaps these leaders wish to remind themselves that they were not Aharon. They did not have his leadership that kept our nation whole while under the thumb of slave masters; they did not have the selflessness required to be set aside with open arms by a younger brother; they did not have the unconditional obeisance to Hashem that he thus exemplified; the empathy necessary to tirelessly seek respectful and loving relationships was not their lot.
However, I prefer to see that by treasuring the rejected rods, they held on to a much more productive optimism. These rods would always remind their owners of their aspirations to be an Aharon. These sticks would take them back to the moments when they felt empowered and energized to find their place in the holiest of spaces and the most sublime service of Hashem. It is not unlike the maturing scholar, or the advancing professional who recalls his dreams of his youth, the goals of his yeshiva days, the lofty moments that have slipped by. The wise do not bask in nostalgia; rather they realistically reconnect with renewed and seasoned vigor.
It is this self-awareness that these sticks brought to the minds of the nesi'im, along with the promise and the optimism that they expressed. They in turn would remind each person of the unique place that each one has, the unique blessings that each one is called upon to activate. And that does ultimately bring much contentment.