A Child And Her Fir Tree

There was a child. She loved trees. You may ask, why? Well, a reason may be because her parents were nature lovers themselves. They had this huge space in front of their countryside house, blooming with lovely flowers. A little farm overlooked them, where they grew their own vegetables. The boundary of their property overlooked a forest of fir trees, big and small.

Most of her time was spent sitting by the bark of a fir tree. It was relatively shorter in height and probably seemed more approachable than the looming ones, almost touching the sky. She felt at ease with her tree, speaking about whatever her vocabulary could comprehend. And the tree seemed to love it, nodding in approval as frequent winds caressed the leaves. There was a little place somewhere in the tree's bark where she had scribbled her name. Only she knew it, and the tree, of course. When it rained her face remained perched on the windowpanes, hoping and wishing that soon the sunrays would peep through and she could go and spend some time with her friend. That bit of fright permeated through her soul when the thunders rumbled in the deep, dark sky. And when the storms formed, turbulent winds uprooted so many trees, her heart seemed to skip a beat. She prayed and hoped that her fir tree's well and safe.

As seasons cycled on, it was wintertime. And soon, Christmas time. The fir forest started thinning. Her parents said it was an area from where people were allowed to take their trees for the celebrations. She was teary-eyed the very next moment. She didn't want her special friend to be taken away.

But Alas! One morning she was up and the forest area was cleared of her tree. Special friend. Her tear glands burst open and blurred the vision. She sat beside the bark, her name scribbled there, in a tiny little corner. But, now who'll listen to her secrets? Who'll nod in acceptance? Who'll be her companion? She didn't pay any heed to her parents who tried to cajole her, saying that her tree will regrow, soon enough for her to be friends again. But that did not yield any results. She wanted her friend to stay with her, always, forever. There was this globule of sadness that went round and round around her throat, engulfing her senses, going round and round.

***

As for the fir tree, well he was in a happier space, or was he?

Honestly, although he loved listening to the little girl, that gave him good company, his heart was always in those houses. He had heard a story from a neighbouring friend about Christmas. How they are the center of attraction, decorated beautifully and he was of the opinion, that he had to be there. Feel that atmosphere, be amongst all the celebration. So, when all the other friends waved him goodbye and went to various houses to be decorated for Christmas, he was shell-shocked. He wanted to be taken too. A little part of his heart wanted to stay, but well, soon the girl would anyways grow up and move away from the place. What about him, then? Anyways seasons cycle on, and another version of him would be back for the little girl. And so, one evening, two strong headlights shined on him. To take him away for the festivities.

***

The van was stopped at a checkpoint. Some issues with the drivers. They were taken away by the police, and so was him. Stacked up in a room with a small window, through which the moonlight penetrated. His sad eyes kept looking at that white night sky. There was this globule of sadness that went round and round around his body, engulfing his senses, going round and round.