The cherry tree

Raki sows a cherry seed in her garden. Raki at the age of six

• Raki lived with her grandfather on the outskirts (immediately outside) of Mussoorie (India).
• One day she went to the bazaar and bought a packet of cherries. She ate them all the way and when she got home, only three cherries were left.
• On reaching home, Raki gave one cherry to her grandfather and ate the remaining two (too greedy!). 
• Her grandfather advised to sow/bury the cherry seed so that it could grow to a cherry tree.
• Raki got her spade (a metallic tool with which we dig the earth to plant plants) and began to dig in the garden.
• But that was the wrong place – grandfather had sowed mustard seeds there. Now Raki had to find another place for her cherry seed – the shady corner of the garden where wind and snow could not easily trouble the cherry.
• Raki did not have to dig the earth in the corner of the garden because the soil was too soft. She pressed the seed down with her thumb and the cherry seed was sown/buried. 
• During winter, Raki listened to the wonderful tales/stories told by grandfather.
• She had to read newspapers for grandfather because the old man had a weak eyesight.

• The seed germinates, grows up | Raki 7 years

  • Winter was over and spring season returned. While watching the migratory birds flying North to Siberia, Raki happened to notice a twig (small plant with one or two leaves) in the corner of the garden.
  • Immediately she knew it was the cherry that she had planted a year ago. Raki ran for her grandfather and showed him the cherry twig.
  • Grandfather instructed Raki to water the plant now and then and Raki sprinkled water and circled it with pebbles – ‘For Privacy!’
  • Raki’s curiosity was mounting. Every morning she ran out to see the cherry’s growth but was disappointed that it grew very slowly.
  • During the monsoon season, the cherry plant grew quicker and Raki was happier and more excited.

  • Enemies – A hungry goat

    A hungry goat

    • Unfortunately, a goat entered the garden and ate up all the leaves of the plant. It was a terrible incident. Raki was very sad. 
    • Raki began to feel that the cherry plant would die. Even the grandfather thought similarly.
    • However, the plant had no intention of dying.

    • Next – Visitors – Mantis and Caterpillar| Rakesh 8 years

      Mantis and Caterpillar| Rakesh 8 years

      • By monsoon, Raki had grown up (but she grew thin) by this time and her cherry tree had grown up faster.
      • Once he spotted a praying mantis (an insect) perched on the tree. Rakesh didn’t chase the insect away because he took the mantis for the tree’s first visitor.
      • Another day, a hairy caterpillar was found eating the leaves of the tree. Rakesh picked it away from the tree and placed it on a heap of dry leaves for the safety of the cherry leaves.

      Next – Winter, Spring then Blooming!

      Winter, Spring then Blooming!

      • When winter came, the cherry bent low with the weight of the snow. 
      • Grandfather was feeling miserable because there were no newspapers for him. Although he told stories, each story ended badly (because he was miserable)
      • February came and Raki turned nine years and the cherry tree was four years. It was as tall as Raki.
      • One morning, grandfather was walking in the garden when he saw pale, pink flowers on the cherry tree. He called for Raki. It was like a miracle!

      Next – Raki is 10 years and the cherry tree is five years

      Raki is 10 years and the cherry tree is five years

      • The tree was taller than Raki at first and then it kept on growing up. 
      • During the summer, the tree bore cherry fruits for the first time and when Raki ate them, they tasted very sour. 
      • Lying down under the cherry tree one evening with grandfather by her side, Raki looked at the cherry tree and asked her father – What’s so special about this tree?
      • Grandfather said, “We planted it ourselves, that’s why it is special.”
      • Touching the bark and leaves of his dear cherry tree, Raki felt like what Gods feel for their creations!