An Old TREE Of Wishes

They say everyone has a story, and so does Theo who finally managed to change not only his fate but also his family's fate, through his good deeds. Growing up in slums with his sickly weakened parents who had no big expectation for their firstborn child of two Naturally the burden of financial support falls on the elder son. His youngest brother, John only managed to finish elementary school, unlike him who had just completed his high school. Thanks to a local Christian association which took care of slum children's education till high school, while preaching about Lord Almighty. John has forced out of the school because locals drew away those Christian folks thinking they gained freedom.

Only Theo knew the importance of education regardless of whom teach them. In this fast-growing world, only people with degrees behind their names have an office job, which was considered the most honourable job in slums. Also that the same time their father, Ramesh got his leg fractured in his daily work in the building company. Since their mother, Rani had to maintain household work, she usually works as a housekeeper in the evening in Mrs Sara's house in the city. It was no joke reaching the city, she has to catch a train which departs at 3:10 pm and then catch a local bus, filled with people. Then return late at night with sore muscles only to find her beloved family in hunger. Sometimes Mrs Sara pities her and gives her their leftover foods. But this normal routine of her didn't last long. Ever since Ramesh got hurt, Rani blamed all misfortunes on god only to end up falling sick herself to hypertension adding up to her diabetes.

So now it's all in hands of Theo that they obtain food for their stomach, plus all the medical expenses of both elders in the family. He continued his father's job as a daily wage worker with his younger brother. Just opposite their house, there was an old tree, planted by Ramesh upon Theo’s birth. One day after all hard labour, he casually rested his head on the tree as he sat with sore muscles. He dreams about getting a bike with the money, he will make from his work. He then fell asleep eventually. Waking up, to his astonishment he found a new model bike in front of him. He soon rushed to let his brother know about what just happened. John didn’t believe his brother until he saw his brother’s brand new bike before him. Both the brother thought they just hit a jackpot. Soon Theo again dreamed about buying a new home the same day. To his disappointment, the tree fairy didn’t grant his wish nor his brother’s. John got upset with his brother for wasting his only wish on a bike and nothing big.

The next day, after work both brothers came back to the tree and try the same thing. But only Theo’s wish came true. He wished for his parent’s good health. Meanwhile, John got so jealous of his brother's wish coming true. He used harsh words on him that, his brother didn’t wish anything for him. The next day, before going to work they met an old man near the magic tree. Theo rushes towards him, seeing the old man there. The old asked him to give him water, as he hadn’t had water for a whole week. John refused to do a thing and went to work. Theo pitied the old man and gave him water because something about the old man reminded him of the old tree, which he watered daily. After drinking the water given to him, the old man blessed Theo and said he was the man who was cursed by a witch trapped in the tree. Only a person with the purpose of wishing for others could release the man. When the old man asked Theo about his last wish, he wished for John to succeed in life to continue his education. The old man felt satisfied by Theo’s wish and replied he too will lead a more successful life than his younger brother while making others happy around him. Giving him a huge amount for his business the old man disappeared. In the end, both brothers were successful life was witnessed by their parents who worked hard for them.