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Interview With a Dying Tree

Interview with a Dying Tree.

       I had bought a mango sapling twenty five years back from a fair and  
        planted beside boundary wall of my garden.
        It grew up well and since last fifteen years carried burden
         of plentiful delicious pulpy fruits in every summer:
         Regular grammar and composition of my favourite mango tree
         went on perfect precise.
       The young tree stood like a king of the garden amidst all flowery plants.
           But all on a sudden one night thunderbolt struck 
              and burnt half of the young vibrant tree.
  
       Next morning I felt almost collapsed watching the burnt borough turning
      black. The robust tree stood almost lifeless. Its blunt woody structure
       hit me with great shock.
    I sighed and half dead tree also sighed waiting for inevitable death 
         approaching slow.

  I told, 'My Dear, you were part of my limbs.'

   Tree replied , 'Me, sturdy strong rigid mango tree in youthful vigour is now 
   facing a tragic end.
    My tough roots piercing ground, kept me erect,  searching and sucking  
   nutrients from depth of soil.
    I was so happy leading my plant life wishing to survive more than hundred 
   years. Now I am waiting to embrace death at this very young age.

  Me -.'It's a natural disaster beyond human control.'

  Tree-.' Nature is whimsical. You nurtured and nourished me 
         Once I was a tender delicate sapling and then I was grown up so huge 
     spreading canopy of radius ten meters.
     Birds chirped, made nests, took rest on branches. Monkeys  scattered 
    seeds eating  fruits in bunches. You also have thrown my seeds on ground 
  beside me.'

  Me - ' I know Dear, two saplings from your seeds are already grown and 
          taking shapes .  I am nurturing those two offsprings of yours.'

   Tree -.' I am aware of that. Also seeds of my fruits scattered by birds and 
     animals might have produced more young plants. This tree trunk will die 
     out gradually but I will breathe through my offspring. Do not mourn for me. 
      Every one who borns is bound to die.'

   Me .'  I know Dear, after my expiry also, part of my life will run through my 
          offsprings and my Soul will wait for reincarnation.'

    Tree-.' I have also my soul, but have no idea where that will go after I will 
             die completely. I honour you as you cared and loved me.
              I am thankful and grateful to you. Good Bye.’

Copyright © Anisha Dutta | Year Posted 2023

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