Its true that we should not cling to the past. Because no matter how tightly we hold, it has already gone. But some memories from are childhood, from the golden days have an forever impression over our brain. One such impression on my brain was created by a Jamun tree.
It was just a normal tree for others but for me it was like my grandfather, who had seen my father since his birth, who had seen my grandfather from the day he bought that house and who had also seen me, not only seen me but had blessed me with the cool shade in summer, had provided me with delightful sweet berries and also soothing cool gusts of wind.
I was a child who lived in my own fantasised world.
I preferred to role play instead of going among the other people. The day i tasted its berries for the first time i fell deeply in love with that tree, and the taste of those berries.
The tree was not in my property, it was on the other side of the road but i always considered it as my own property, only the tree.
After my grandfather passed away, i was busy playing in the fields and the mountains all alone as my grandma used to be busy doing household works.
When i had been there in the summer after my first grade, i observed something unusual. As always i went to pick up the fallen berries, when i went under the tree it shaded its leaves over me and along with them fell fresh berries, exclusive and sweet. I got scared and ran quickly to hide in the house. After narrating the unusual experience, my grandma said its your grandpa, who then stayed on the tree to take care of me. It was an absolute illogical thing but my innocent mind had a deep impact of thst sentence.
I started to dare and go near the tree. The same thing happened each time. But my fear reduced eventually and i started talking with the tree.
I used to take a bucket of water daily while visiting the tree and pour it on its roots. I felt satisfied. That was the way to prove my friendship i thought.
I sat under the tree, resting in the cool shade. Todays air conditioner wont give that satisfaction which that cool gusts of winds gave.
In the fall, the tree would shed its leaves and there used to be heaps of leaves under it. It gave deep pleasure to jump and roll over the heaps of dried leaves.
When the spring season was about to end, it bared flowers which used to spread the aroma in the air. It had an exclusive taste, so kids from the village used to see them while passing by and throw stones over it to make the berries fall, that did hurt the tree. Once i saw them throwing stones snd giggling, i dragged the huge air gun which i wasn't able to even lift at that time and it was even more than the height i was. But i dragged it all the way to the gate and shouted at them. Seeing the gun they ran away.
I sometimes tried to think and discuss with the tree as from how many years it was there. I even searched for my grandpa and the trees eyes.
I never ever found them. But my time did pass with pleasure and i enjoyed each moment spent near my jamun tree.
As i went in the higher grades, i reduced going to the village. With the increasing burden of studies, the memories of jamun tree started to fade, until when i visited a few years ago after long time and was shocked to see the place vacant where my tree used to stand like a giant old aged grandpa, with the wrinkles of experience gained over the generations on its trunk.
Unfortunately, as it had grew too huge and was obstacle for the lighting wires, it was cut down completely. Seeing its remnants, i had no words to say but the droplet of tear from my eye exclaimed it all. The memories floated in front of my eyes and remained forever as one of the good times. Still when i think of the exquisite taste of its berries and the eye catching beauty of the tree, it brings a smile on my lips.
I have not seen the future, but i did one thing that day. I saw dried berries fallen on the ground in the heaps of the leaves.
I planted it in my property this time so maybe in further times to come my future generations could have a memory of their own.
- Hrishikesh J C
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