The Aapti Tree

“Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind.Their leaves are telling secrets. Their bark sings songs of olden days as it grows around the trunks. And their roots give names to all things.Their language has been lost.But not the gestures.” ― Vera Nazarian

Raju looked at the leaves deeply. The leaves had shrivelled, yet the distinct halves were visible. Sita had shoved the wrinkled leaves in his hands in the customary manner, saying that it was gold, ‘Sonaacha pata’. Normally, the gold is returned back to the person wishing prosperity, but Sita had thrust a leaf in Raju’s hand  as  a souvenir.  This was  a bullion for little Raju as the Aapti tree at the boundary wall was more than his friend. He had seen the tree for the first time at Anshul’s house. It was close to the compound wall near the entrance gateway. The tree was a huge one with many leaves and thorns and tiny, delicate pink and white flowers.  The branches bent down to welcome people, and many times showered the dried leaves on Raju. He felt it was a daily shower of gold. Perhaps, it was Anshul’s Grandmother Radhammama, who  was responsible for creating this adoration for the tree. Each day, she would lovingly call the kids and offer them goodies to eat and as they ate, she opened her treasure box of stories. She told Raju about Kautsa, the son of a Brahmin who insisted on  giving his Guru a Guru Dakshina for the education he received, but was flabbergasted when the teacher asked for 140 million gold coins, a 10 million for each of the 14 sciences he learnt. He rushes to King Raghu to help him.  The King Raghu approaches Kubera the Lord of wealth who showers  140  million Gold coins on this tree.

The story had fascinated little Raju. Radhamamma had told the details of medicinal values associated with the leaves, the bark, root and flowers. She would help a person sick, feverish,  and asthmatic with the healing properties of the tree. Little Raju wanted the plant in his house. The first time when he had brought a sapling from Radhammama  he had forgotten to water it for two whole days. He could never revive the plant. The second time, Radhamamma had whispered the magic words in his ear. Little Raju planted the Aapti seeds carefully in the soil. He watered it every day and spoke the magic words to the plant. The plant was definitely the reflection of the owner. It grew stout like little Raju and one could sense its smile too. The Aapti plant was a year and a half. It was much taller than Raju, but it had barely rained that year, so Raju restrained plucking ‘sonpata’. Raju was seven years old now. He knew a lot more about the environment. He would pour the  left over water after washing the rice or vegetables to help the Aapti tree grow. Raju’s teacher had told them the story of Chipko Movement and the story of Amrita and her sisters from Bisnoi tribe in Rajasthan who  had given up their lives to save the Kejari Plants. His teacher had described the Shami plant and it sounded like the story of Aapti plant. Raju had decided then that he would stand for his Aapti tree if a situation of the sort arose in their life.

With urbanisation Raju had seen changes in the neighbourhood. The road widening was one of the alterations that the municipality had insisted as the their lane was a link between two large localities. The main road suffered traffic jams and an alternative  could make a difference. People in the area had to sacrifice a foot’s space from their homes for the cause. The Aapti tree now stood on the path. The municipality had decided to cut it down. Anshul and Raju felt alarmed at the thought, but Radhamamma felt limp and helpless as the tree was a second home for her. Ladies in the neighbourhood gathered there to share their opinions, they found a solace in Radhammama It was Dusshera, and so the Municipal authorities were on a holiday. Raju ran to Radhamamma with the gold leaf given by Sita. He knew the leaf was from Anshul’s house. He saw  Radhamamma sitting below the huge expanse of the Aapti tree. The delicate pink flowers seem to smirk at them, the low branches brushed the children seeking their attention. Anshul and Raju spoke  to Radhamamma to enthuse her.  Raju gave her the ‘Sonpata’ and reminded her of the strength the Pandavas gained when they picked their hidden weapons from the tree after the exile period. Anshul and Raju told her that the tree would  bring back the happiness. Raju told the leaf was a sign of reassurance.

Anshul and Raju were inspired by Amrita’s story, they had decided they would do the same, but they ran to the elders in the colony and made them aware of the wicked plans of the Municipality.  The next day the parents in the colony decided to sign a petition against the sawing, they offered their suggestions to help on the road widening without harming the old Aapti tree.

 The Mayor was a young man, willing to make an alteration in the plan. He listened to the parents as they suggested that the tree could be encircled by a cemented ring, and the road could be paved as the Aapti tree was not in the middle of the tree. The next day, the municipal authorities, and the Mayor visited the area, they accepted their plans. Radhamamma was no longer anxious, but she was detected with a tumour in her foot. Anshul and Raju could see the pain. They remembered Radhamamma’s words about  how important the  leaf and flower extracts were in curing tumours.  It could heal the pain, reduce her fever and help her overcome the difficulties.

On the eve of Radhamamma’s birthday, Raju had a memento ready for her. In the evening he came running with his gift hidden in a bag. Radhamamma was curious when Raju made her close her eyes. He gently landed a kiss on her left cheek and a tiny Aapti plant in a jute bag in her palms. Her eyes glistened, while she smiled, this little plant would definitely need her time and care.

 *  The Aapti Tree is Bauhinia racemosa