The Cherry Tree

Preface

During my school days, the text books were bought a bit in advance of the commencement(June first week) of the academic year. I had a habit of picking up the language text books, and read each chapter, even before the school started.

Standard X, the last year of secondary school.
During my habitual early reading of the English text book, I came across a chapter named ‘The Cherry Tree’. It appealed so much that I read it several times even before the school started. By the time I took my final exam, I had read that chapter at least 25-30 times.

Fast-forward. Graduation completed, first year of professional life.
I finally bought a bookshelf(a boyhood dream).
Since I had started earning and could now afford buying books, I frequented local bookstores, as well as chains like Crossword, Landmark. One day, while glancing at books placed under ‘Indian Child Fiction’, I saw several books by Ruskin Bond. ‘Ruskin Bond‘, ‘The Cherry Tree‘ – the names flashed into my mind, took me back to the school days! I bought a couple of his books immediately, thereafter, there was no turning back from the Bond bibliophilia!

Themes

Idyllic, simple life

– Rakesh buys a bunch of cherries while returning to home from school. Kids back then would buy various berries, fruits, nuts to munch on.
– In the winters, sitting by the fireplace, and listening to grandpa’s stories.
– Observing changes in the nature during the various seasons e.g. birds flocking northwards/Siberia announced the arrival of spring.
– Rakesh and his grandfather relaxing in the garden during lazy afternoons. Isn’t that envious???

Innocence

– Upon receiving instructions to water the plant well, Rakesh comes with a bucket of water. Grandpa reminds him about not drowning the plant.
(I recall being apprehensive about the plants getting thirsty, hence, I would water them often. My grandma corrected my unnecessary feat)
– Rakesh waters the plant even in the monsoon, just to let it know that he is around and hasn’t forgotten it.
– After watering the tree, Rakesh encircles it with pebbles so that the plant can get some privacy/security.

Mother Nature

– ‘Just one seed‘
Rakesh just planted a seed, and it thrived by itself. Now it provides shade, shelter and food to various living beings. It summarizes the benevolence of Mother Nature and her simple ways.
– ‘Is this what it feels to be God?‘
Rakesh is overwhelmed with feelings about the cherry tree. He not only likes it more than the other trees but also is quite attached to it. He has witnessed the tree growing from a seed to its current, tall stature. He has a feeling of belonging.

Himalayan villages in the later 20th century

– Rakesh’s parents live in a village where primary occupation seems sparse cultivation on slopes of hills. There are no schools there but since his parents insist on Rakesh’s education, he is sent to a school in Mussoorie and lives with his grandfather.
– Owing to harsh climatic conditions, little arable and pastural land, the life in Himalayan villages was/is arduous but peaceful and content.

Book, Forever!

What is a ‘Book, Forever’? Well, a book that is ingrained in the memory, something you would cherish, and recall before you die!

Imagine laying down on grass beneath a shady tree, gazing at the blue sky, experiencing gentle breeze, turning on sides to witness clouds racing to the mountains. As the darkness falls, the stars show up in the sky. One isn’t really thinking of the worldly matters in such a state of mind, it is sheer bliss, maybe something transcendent.

When was the last that you watched a tree, touched it’s barks, leaves and/or fruits? Did you try to store it’s image in your mind?

On a torrid day, a cool breeze of fresh air is always revitalizing. It clears your mind, doesn’t it? Even if it sounds repetitive, it will always be a pleasure, at least, a pacifier. ‘The Cherry Tree’ is a similar experience.

Disclaimer

My views, emotions, hence, this post is based on the original version of ‘The Cherry Tree’ written in the late 80s or so. I discovered that in the later editions of this story(also, published as a separate book), they changed the sentences a lot! In another edition, they replaced Rakesh(who is actually a part of Ruskin Bond’s extended family) with a girl(can’t recall the name).