I saw a tree in our garden and thought of you, or rather, thought of the way you see trees. I remember when I was little and we walked through the vast Yellow Park in your hometown. You used to talk about trees, you were so fond of them, today I admire how you were deeply affectionate towards them.
You had this favourite oak tree right in the centre of the park, they had spirally arranged leaves with rounded edges. This distinct tree in the park had wide-spreading branches. It had a thick trunk and tangled knotted mass of little stems and leaves. It was beautiful to see it waving and fluttering in the sky. This tree had a few beautiful little chirping birds. These birds had created their miniature nests and had hatchling birds. There was an Asian koel too that often sang, it was a melody to our ears. I often wondered why it was so dear to you. You always felt so connected to it, you narrated when I matured a little. That park was evergreen and had several trees, some plants, some old trees, some flowering trees with multi-hued flowers and some fruiting trees. We frequently went for a walk in that YELLOW PARK and saw your favourite oak tree till we were in your hometown. After two years we migrated to a new town. At this point in time that tree had become my favourite too.
You were so fond of gardening, you relished it so much. I too started enjoying gardening with you. We used to have so much fun together. You planted trees in our new home too. You held them with so much tenderness, love and care as if they were your own children. You taught me how to plant and explained their benefits since childhood. You inculcate good values. You had planted many flowering and fruiting plants in our large home garden. You opposed cutting down trees and always stopped people from cutting them down because they are LIFE, without them, we wouldn't have existed. They provided life by giving oxygen gas and purifying the air for us to breathe clean air. They are home to many lives. They are the beauties of nature provided to us by God as a precious gift. You spent most of the time taking care of plants and sowing seeds for us to reap the fruits in the future. Today I stand here in the garden. Those plants have grown into giant trees. The apple has grown so big it has the sweetest apples I have ever eaten. I saw you collecting your little favourite things all the time, sometimes very strange ones. I made jokes about your Favourites but now I realise how you found your happiness in little things and remained merry and joyful throughout your life. I started loving and adoring them just like you did. After you, I always took care of those trees as dearly as you did.
One day I was tidying the store room to discard the unwanted things as there was literally no space to shove other giant items that were of rare use into the store room. I set my foot in the store room. It was exceptionally dusty. I spent an hour cleaning half of the room. I was tired, in fact bored. While cleaning I explored a box similar to a toolbox, I didn't recognise it at first but later I recalled it was a gardening toolbox of my grandmother. Seeing that great gardening toolbox the expression of the tired and bored faded and turned to a fascinated expression. I felt so happy seeing it. I recalled your favourite oak tree. I could recollect a vivid picture of it. I was eager to see how big it had grown. The next day I reached your hometown, dropped my luggage at the hotel and rushed to Yellow Park. On my way, I saw that the town had changed so much, developed but hardly any trees or greenery along the streets. Only tall towers and some scattered bungalows and cottages.
I set foot in the park. I was so astonished to see the sight there. I sat there on the bench, fifteen years hence, where you and I sat fifteen years ago. She told me stories while amusing the breeze. That I sit there alone in the centre of the park with no one beside me and a disheartening sight in front of me. The entire area is sealed. There are many construction workers and large bulldozers. I see big multitudes of ordinary people standing right in front of me. Trying to stop the inevitable, but no progress. I sat there impotent. The entire vast YELLOW PARK was to be destroyed and devastated in no time. Saw your favourite oak tree which was to be destroyed too but missed you. Tears rolled down my eyes as I saw its last glimpse. I was sure that if you were here you would have stopped them from demolishing the beauty of nature several years ago and a valuable gift of god.
Comments