Is She Lucky to Get Only Her Branches Chopped?
by Dristi Pyakurel
I still have a refreshing memory in my mind, 7 years before sitting on the window bench of my school and looking at the gorgeous peepal tree on another side of the road. The tree beside the road never disappointed me with its beauty. It was huge and crafted with natural beauty. It was a popular playing spot for children where children used to play with him in her lap and arms and she never seemed to be interrupted. She just used to enjoy all activities with a blow of wind as I used to enjoy just by viewing her.
She was free and happy, extending her branches along the other side of the road making an entrance gateway in the road. She hurt no one despite that, people want to finish her. One day around 11 am 4-5 people came to visit her not to see her but rather to degrade her beauty. They chopped her branches off, though she was lucky that she was a religious Peepal tree and also had a temple in her trunk. Her religious aspect saved her from being totally chopped but still she looked sad and helpless. I was watching it all from my classroom the way she got scattered around the land. The whole environment suddenly became dull, like the clouds were going to cry on behalf of her. The entire sky looked sad. That day I felt a deep connection between me and her as I got sad when I saw her chopping off my heart shook seeing her in this way. I could never believe it if others have told me about the feeling but that day I felt that although I have never given her anything, I genuinely cared for her. That was the day I realized the connection between humans and nature.
She was luckier than the other species of trees as others don’t have consideration of religion on them. They cut it off and no one would even say a single word. Then I wished all trees were religious trees though it would only be valid in Hindu country, though it could save them from being chopped here. She was sad, but she never stopped growing and helping others. It makes me feel that even if they break us from inside for a certain time, we will regain our energy and go on towards the journey we have determined.
About
I am student of Environmental Management. I am part of different organizations that works for SDGs youth involvement and Environment campaign. I am not a storywriter but though it was a real story I wanted to share with you all storytelling.