The Tree Stumps.

Introduction: The talk of animal and bird being understood by humans is a well known fact. Unable to come to terms with its pathetic living condition, the tree stump opened up its heart and oozed out its anguish and anger to me, as I just happened to stand by its side for a while. By the end the tree stump itself aired its anger to me.


A lone stump of a tree went begging for attention of the passer-by. It did not understand the hurry with which men and machines moved around, from somewhere to nowhere. Even its constant companions-the footpath and the black top, preferred to ignore the tapas it was performing for a long, long time.

Long long ago this stump was a majestic tree, spreading its branches thick and wide. It had willingly allowed many birds and creatures to roost and rule, all the while enjoying their company like   permissible grandparents.

The tapas started when a batch of men came armed with saws, axes and sickles – not to rest under its shade but to gnaw, chip and dismember it, limb by limb, till only a stump of the trunk was left above the ground. Agony apart, it could not understand the heartless attitude of the humans in leaving a mutilated stump and rendering the birds and creatures as victims of their whims. This was an exhibition of cruelty in its crudest form.

Once up on a time, it had witnessed a similar tree trunk being used as a butcher’s block. By that, it was saddened as customers who came in for a choice cut of meat showed no sympathy either for the slaughtered animal or at the tree stump.

Today, in comparison, it felt a little happier at the thought of still standing on its own rooted-feet! Misplaced loyalty of roots to its master?

The shimmering heat wave above the black top brought back a flood of memories of its bygone era. Over hanging branches with dark green leaves providing shade to anyone wanting it, playing host to a variety of birds, squirrels and insects. It extended the cover of shade over the footpath and part of the road, unselfishly. It followed seasonal changes –shedding leaves, sprouting new ones, flowering and bearing fruits. What a fulfilling experience! Its present status was that of a prince becoming a pauper.

It paid the penalty for its luxuriant growth– the men with axes came with an infrastructure development initiative. The tree was left standing as a stump on the footpath.

Overcome with the enormity of the misfortune it had endured, the tree started saying, “standing or sitting, I have never encroached upon any one’ land. I served to keep the life in living beings by pumping out oxygen and sponging in carbon-di-oxide, in day time.”

“Did I ever ask for any favour? No. Not even a bucket of water or a handful of nutrients even when I was short on nutrition”

“Then why this cruel punishment is inflicted on me and why am I left standing-still to do the penance for a sin not committed?

After this outburst, the stump appeared a little upset and withdrew into aloofness. My heart filled up with sorrow. The lazy walk, on that Sunday evening, turned out to be a revelation.

The stump had seen a progression of special days – ocean day, climate day, mother’s day etc.. Its only disappointment was that along with the earth day why nobody thought of celebrating a tree stump day. I did not have any answer (for its anguish) except feeling shame of my child hood days when playfully I had broken branches, uprooted saplings or trampled up on green grass. My guilt now, will it pacify its anguish?

The stump only has to answer this!