The Fable of the Mother of the Trees (contd.)

The Mother of the Trees spent the next many years planting and taking care of her trees. When there was less water, she carried water on her head from the next village many miles away. When her husband did not make enough money of a month, she cut branches from the trees and planted them in the ground.

And everywhere new life bloomed. Slowly, what had once been a barren wasteland became a beautiful forest! And miracle of miracles! Birds, bees, butterflies, animals all flocked to their new home! And the trees heavy with fruit (even after the animals had eaten their fill) eased their tired limbs by dropping the fruit on the ground. And from them yet more trees were born. Things could not have been better.

But one day, the man, who had by now become a very old man, went to sleep and died. The mother of the trees no longer felt like being with anyone but her children, and she went into the heart of the forest. The forest closed in on her and everyone forgot all about the trees and the story of the birth of the forest.

Many years passed.

Then one day when the prince was out hunting, he came upon these untouched woods. As he entered, a calm descended on him. All he could hear was the sound of birds chirping. He could smell the blended fragrance of a million fruits and flowers. The very air was fresh and sweet. 'Surely this must be a magical place', he thought. Excited at his discovery, he ran back to tell all! 'We must find out what this place is and make it a part of our kingdom!'

Everyone in the kingdom was thrilled by the new place! They came from far and wide to inspect and admire the forest. And the forest was SO pleased! For so many years they had missed the voices of people. The trees were happy to offer their best fruit to the children who came visiting. The flowers were keen to show off their brilliant colours. Everyone admired the prince's forest.

But the King who was a very greedy man, had other plans. 'Why don't we build a small palace here?' he asked. 'Then we can stay in comfort whenever we want'. The prince was not happy at the thought of changing anything in this lovely place. But the King assured him that it would not make much change, and anyway many of the trees were old and much better off being cut! The prince gave in.

The King was very pleased with his new palace. It was so much better than the old one! It had much prettier rooms and the furnishing was SO elegant! He was really quite taken with it and began to spend more and more time there.

After a while he began to get quite fed up with all the traveling back and forth he had to do between his kingdom and the forest. He decreed that a wide road be built connecting the palace in the forest to the palace in the city.

Like a sweeping gust of wind, rumour swept through the forest. No one was sure anymore what was true and what wasn't.
Was the venerable beech tree by the well really going to be cut? 'It can't be' said the squirrel. 'That tree is my home!' 'And my playground', said the small child. 'Who will I climb now?'
'I just built my nest there' said the sparrow. They shook their heads sadly.

And yet men poured in every day with axes and plans.

(To be concluded.)