Talking Trees

This is a ‘phulkari park’ consisting of a myriad of trees, plants, rides and one beautiful pond, located in the middle of University campus at Shimla. There are three talking trees standing over in the East-South corner of the park. They look like normal trees, but they can talk, listen and think too.

It is a silent night of summer when the Banana tree explains in detail about the characteristics of a tree. ‘It is a well-known fact that trees are a great source of energy-conservation, water-saving and cooling the atmosphere. They release oxygen while absorbing carbon dioxide (Co2) transforming the surrounding into green and clean. They are the permanent indicator of every season. Besides, they yield food, flowers, fruits and the variety of eatables. Even each part of a tree is used for multiple benefits. They are accessible as homes for wildlife as well as human life.’

After listening to the Banana tree, the Mango tree opines with the gravity that ‘these are common and well-recognized advantages of trees since long back. Today I want to highlight the point that trees are living things proved by science.’ Now the turn of the Guava tree who instantly comments that ‘this is also not a new fact for finding that trees are living things.’ ‘Ok, Ok! Just have patience and listen to me,’ the senior most Mango tree replies calmly.

‘It seems that people come and take rest under our shed or eat our fruits and become happy at the same time we, trees, also rejoice to offer them our shed, to fill their lap with fruits and to make their homes by our wood.’ ‘Yes, we agree with you Mango Da.’ The Banana tree states that ‘I feel really great when people come to worship my body. When they close their eyes while praying then I just wish to God for fulfilling all their desires.’

 ‘When children play under my branches by running around my trunk, I feel like a jumping japak child. When a young couple gets lost looking into the eyes of each other holding hands for hours standing over while taking the support of mine, my heart beats increases and just forget myself in day-dreaming. When an old person takes rest while sitting under my shed, I wish I could put an end to all his or her all stresses.’ Mango da expresses his thought.

‘I have something to share.’ ‘Please go ahead’. The Guava tree restlessly asks. He says, ‘It may be true that I am a cheaper fruit in comparison to both of you. But because of my nutritive elements, I am popularly called ‘Apple of the poor.’ There is no need for any formality with me. I don’t need any knife to cut into slices or to peel it or no part of mine is to be thrown away. Just pluck me, wash me and eat me enjoying the sweet crunchy taste like coconut. Though I feel pain when people throw stones or sticks pointing to me but very soon I begin to laugh when they happily collect me from the ground like a winner. Their winning smiles boost me up.’

By now, three of them are talking about their pleasures which they achieve by just watching people doing diverse things around them. ‘How people tie the red thread on them to fulfill their wish, how they make clay-home beneath them and how they write their names along with beloved one on their skin by any sharp object. Although some of their acts pinch or irritate us like a mother we don’t feel bad we just become gleeful. Nowadays we notice a very interesting thing that people –be it old or young-hide behind us and chat on the mobile phone for long in the name of proper network connectivity. So, we are approachable for their privacy too.’

‘We all trees eagerly wait every year for the summer vacations like every child. The children come to the park, run, play, ride on a variety of swings and enjoy their holidays. We love to see their naughty activities, tiny fights and displeasing and persuading all together among them. Besides children, there are people who visit a park for morning and evening walk, yoga and relaxation. Every time we wish they could listen to us and talk. People come and go but we remain here for years.’

‘We admit that human life and wildlife would be in danger without us. But what is the use of our oxygen or shed if there would be no people around us? They can’t listen to us or talk to us. They feel for us, they think of us and they sense us, this much only makes us so proud and so great that we intend more to serve the people in more and more possible ways. Their sensitivity towards trees enriches humanity.’

The trio of Mango, Banana, and Guava collectively get disappointed on one point when people cut or abolish our root or branches for their short-term need. When they plant us, water us and take care for us we sincerely pay our obligation to all of them irrespective who planted us and who destroyed us.’

‘To add, every cell of our body structure is purely dedicated to the need and welfare of people. And in return, we want nothing only a little concern. Through winds, clouds and rain, we very often sing and dance to make the people prosper and happy, in fact, forever green.’ The trio of talking trees is waving their branches to shower their love on all passerby.

 

Message: The sensitivity of humanity and greenery is reciprocal.