The Journey The Journey 2017 - 18 | Page 31

R Sidharth K During the vacation, my father had paid a woodcutter to cut the branches of one of our jackfruit trees because its leaves were falling over our neighbour’s verandah which was causing them a bit of a nuisance as they had to clean it up every day. I always had an idea to cut down the whole tree so that my father didn’t have to spend so much of money every year on maintaining this tree. I was watching the woodcutter do his work and I noticed that right before he climbed up the tree he prayed. And, I was curious as to why he did so. After some time, the woodcutter had climbed back down to take a break. I went over to suggest to him to try out my idea. Hearing my suggestion, the woodcutter looked at me with disgust and anger and stated that global public school the tree is like a member of our family and that we should rather take care of it just like our parents take care of us. Then, I went on to ask a tirade of questions to satisfy my curiosity. Queries like why he prays before cutting down the branches of the tree. He replied that he prays before climbing a tree and cutting down its branches because it is his way of asking the tree and its creator, God, the permission to climb the tree and cut its branches. I was astounded and he had widened the vision of my thinking through his wise and spiritual words for which I thanked him. From that day onwards, I had a different view about our nature and environment and had learnt how to nurture, care and respect them like a very own member of our family. 31