The Twig

We have come across many broken twigs in our life. Some may have been lying on the ground and some may have been broken by us while going past the tree.

But have we ever wondered what it would be if the twig wasn't broken? In this story, we can see how the pain of a broken twig gets connected to a little girl

 In a small town, there lived a beautiful family. It consists of a mom and her two kids, Reena and her younger brother Chotu. Reena is 8 yrs old and her brother Chotu is 2 yrs old. Chotu used to be always roaming around the house. It is impossible to find him as often he used to go and hide wherever possible. Since he is only 2 yrs old he can't walk properly. Many times he used to stumble a lot and so Reena will be seen always around her little brother to ensure that he is safe. Reena loves to play with her little brother. Since her mom goes for work, Reena and her brother are left behind. So they got more time to spend with each other. On one Sunday, Reena's mom returned home in the afternoon itself. Reena was very curious to know about it because she never came this much early before.

"Wow mom, you came so early today, have you got to leave for half a day?", asked Reena happily.

"Yes Reena today I went shopping that's why I asked for a half a day holiday and.....", Mom paused. 

"And what mom?", asked Reena curiously. 

"I have bought some toys for you and Chotu!", mom replied happily.

"Really??? I want to see those, where are they mom?" asked Reena as mom pulled out a cotton bag behind her. In one swift move, Reena quickly explored the bag and was surprised to see a cute panda doll and a toy truck in it.

"That doll is for you and that truck is for your brother," said mom.

"Thank you so much mom", said Reena delightedly.

Suddenly her eyes caught something in that cotton bag. There was a broken twig with a few leaves attached to it. The leaves were still green and fresh.

"Mom what is this", asked Reena.

"It is called a twig. It must have broken from the mango tree which is at the corner of our street", said Reena's mom. 

"But mom how did it come in this bag", asked Reena.

"When I walked past it, it must have somehow broken Reena, just throw it away," said mom.

Reena looked at the twig for a while and said, "I think it might be very painful for this twig since it is broken". 

"But Reena it's just a twig", said mom

"No mom, it also has life like us. If it had been in that tree attached to it, it would have lived for more and more years, it would have given shade to many people, it would have given mangoes to many hungry people and moreover, it would have given more and more air and would have purified all the dirty air", replied Reena with tears in her eyes.

Silence filled the house. After a while mom said " Reena don't worry I think it's still alive, see those green leaves it means it is still breathing, I think there is a way to plant it again", said Reena's mom.

"Then come mom let's plant it", replied Reena.

"Ok and Reena, where is Chotu?", asked mom worriedly.

"Shshsh mom, he is sleeping in his crib over there,'' Reena said as she pointed to her sleeping brother.

After seeing Chotu, mom got relieved and along with Reena, she went to the backyard. They had many roses planted in their backyard. There was also a peepal tree there.

Reena told her mom that first, they can plant it in a small pot. And she went inside her home and brought out a small pot. After stuffing the pot with some soil, they inserted the twig carefully in it. Then Reena spotted a place in a backyard near the peepal tree where there was plenty of soil available. They placed the pot gently over there. Then Reena sprinkled some water on the twig.

"Will it be okay mom", asked Reena worriedly.

"It should be", replied mom.

"Hey Reena I have an idea we can search on the internet about the possibility of its growth, come let's go," said mom as they both rushed to their bedroom. Mom started searching on the internet. Suddenly her expression changed to a sad one. 

"What happened mom?" asked Reena curiously.

"Uh... Reena they have given that there is a very low chance for a mango tree to be grown from a twig, only growing from a seedling is better. This is what they have given. But don't worry we still have some hope, let's wait till tomorrow morning", said mom.

Reena just nodded silently.

The remaining part of the day just went boringly for Reena. All the time she was watching the twig from the window. She had only a little hope left because one of the leaves of the twig had already withered. She imagined herself being in the twig's place, starving to death. She felt very painful. She also imagined as if the twig was crying for help. She can hear the twig's voice. It asks for her help. It asks her to be with her. It says that it has very little hope and also thanks Reena for her kindness. It also says that my leafy friends are dying one by one, I am very scared. Reena immediately goes out and stands near the twig and says, "Hey twigy don't worry, you will be fine. No harm will come to you, by tomorrow's morning all your leafy friends will have been born again. Be strong, this is just a trial of life, you have to overcome it. I will be always with you, hereafter we will be always together, daily I will come and talk to you and after some years even my brother will come and talk to you and after us, you will see many more children, they will all become very happy to see you, they will be playing around you, just imagine that and be with me". 

The next morning Reena eagerly went outside to see the twig. Two new leaves started to rise. On seeing that Reena squealed happily. She went inside and told that to mom. Her mom became happy too. After a year even Chotu has joined Reena to see the tree, yes you heard it right, it has become a strong tree now. The siblings enjoyed being around the tree.

And after 4 years the family had shifted to a city far away from their old town and that tree. Reena felt very sad to leave the tree. But she had got the mango, the first mango from that tree. That was the delicious mango she had ever had in her life. Then she planted that seed in her garden only for the seed to be grown into a big tree within a year.

Now it has been 10 years since Reena planted that twig and she is 18 yrs old now while Chotu is 12 yrs old. Seeing the tree planted from the seed, she got reminded of the tree planted from the twig. She is sure that many children residing there would be playing there happily with the tree. Back in the town, it is seen that what Reena imagined has become real and true. Both the tree and Reena will never forget each other, forever..