The Tree that got death sentence

The  Tree that got death sentence.
(Short Story )
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A road leads towards Puri. Beside the road lies a pond, its water pure and crystal like the eye of a crow Between the road and the pond stands a gigantic banyan tree. For hundreds of years the tree has stood there. It has countless “children”—its hanging aerial roots. Many birds have built their nests on its branches. Feeding on the fruits of the tree and drinking water from the pond, the birds live there in great joy.

It was winter. Late in the night, a drop of water fell upon a baby bird sleeping in its nest on the tree. The little bird asked its mother---
“Mother, where from this water fell on me??”
The mother bird replied,
“My child, it is not water. These are the drops of tears of the tree. The banyan tree is crying, because tomorrow it will be cut down. Today, during the daytime, two well-dressed men came and were measuring the place. They were discussing that the road would be widened. Therefore, this banyan tree will be cut and the pond will be filled up.”

Since hearing about this death sentence, the banyan tree has been weeping.
The little bird asked,
“Then why doesn’t the banyan tree run away? Why is it waiting here to die?”
The mother bird replied,
“Does it have legs to run away? God has not given it feet like humans to move about, nor the power to walk. God has kept it rooted in one place so that it may provide shade to humans and animals. This tree is very beneficial. It gives abundant oxygen to the living world. Medicines made from its bark, leaves, and fruits help humans protect themselves from diseases. Yet instead of showing gratitude for such kindness, humans have become ungrateful and are preparing to cut it down. The human race is terribly selfish.”

The baby bird asked again,
“If trees do so much good for the world, then why do humans cut them?”
The mother replied---
“God has given humans intelligence, but not always good sense. They are filled with tendencies toward self-destruction and foolishness. That is why humans destroy the trees, plants, and animals that help them—thus bringing ruin upon themselves.”

The little bird remained silent for a while and then asked sadly,
“Mother, if the tree is cut down, our nest will be destroyed. Where shall we go then?”
Tears rolled down the mother bird’s eyes. Holding her child close, she said,
“My poor little one, we are very unfortunate. You are so small, and your wings have not yet grown strong. Where can I take you? I will sit here in this nest holding you close. When the tree is cut, we shall fall into the pond with it and die together. If only I were a human, I could carry you away in my arms to some safe place.”

The little bird’s heart filled with sorrow and compassion. After a moment it said,
“Mother, do not be sad. In our next life, we shall pray to God to give us birth as humans.”
The mother bird replied,
“No, my dear. I have no desire to be born among that cunning, selfish, and deceitful race. Let God give us birth again and again as simple birds. We do not need to become the so-called ‘superior’ beings.”

Hearing this, the little bird said,
“Then I will pray to God that in their next birth, all those people who cut down trees should be born as trees themselves. Only then will they understand how painful it is for a tree when it is cut down by an axe.”

(Kulamani Sarangi)