There was this tree on a barren hillock. All gnarled almost old and defeated by age, time & seasons. It was far from the village too.Most of the place was rocky - so there was very little greenery except for a few shrubs that defiantly grew beside it to give it company. Even the leaves on the tree were minimal like the hairs on a bald pate. Few & far between.No one frequented the tree - no children, no squirrels, or any other animals, no birds - not even a bat. The tree was happy by itself. It enjoyed its solitude. It had no choice either. Almost all had deserted it. Infrequently some birds flying long distances would swoop down & settle on its rickety branches. Some stayed for a few days while others for a few moments. They came, they saw, the shared some of their concerns , but ultimately they all flew their way.Then one day, all of a sudden a bird came and settled down on its branches. It was not interested in leaving the tree. The tree thought that this is another tired passerby seeking refuge for a few moments - to depart after a few days.But, as if magic, the bird stuck to the tree. The tree noticed that the one of the wings was broken. the bird started to talk to the tree. The conversation was chirpy - interesting & at times demanding. The tree was indeed confused, but let it be there & listened to all the chatter and enjoyed it. They exchanged experiences. They also found some common ground.Time went by - from a few months to a year and later to two years. In between, the tree had also shooed the bird away. The bird had grown its broken wing - got strength & could fly. It could go far distances, but it always came back. The bird wanted the tree to grow - grow taller - reach out - may be to the sky. Grow green shoots so that the world could come and nestle on it. But nothing like this happened. This was one of the main reasons why the bird & the tree would find difference of opinion & would disagree. The tree was happy by itself and it was in its own world. The bird, as usual, was a high flyer, beautiful, attractive and had many suitors. It wanted to go ahead in life.So, the bird one day said - I wanted you to decide -whether you will grow with me or not? The tree said - I have gone past that age & I am happy & contented the way I am. The bird then said - then I have to leave you -to fly & go to distant lands.I want to see the world & be a part of it. I cannot live in isolation like this. The tree merely listened to this friendly banter. Then it said - you came on your own, you settled by me & now you want to go. I am happy the way things are - when you were not there, when you are here and when you will leave. The choice is yours. To live here or to go - maintaining status quo.The bird thought and said -no I want to fly. I want to see & conquer the world. I want to enjoy life - the way I want. The tree said - OK your wish. It was nice you passed by me - stayed with me and gave me company. I shall remember that always. My past experience and my roots do not allow me to grow & glow. You are still young and free to go. The bird then flew away chirping by. The tree was happy to hear it go in full happiness. It was not the bird that came some years ago - broken , devastated. This was a new bird - full of enthusiasm for life and verve. The tree prayed silently to God that He should keep the bird happy. It saw the bird vanish into a dot at the far end of the horizon as it flew away to newer destinations.Night came & the tree stood by. The moon shown hesitantly, from behind the clouds. The wind also lost steam and quit blowing. Nothing except the sound of few crickets pierced the darkness. The tree waited for another day. Suddenly, there was a sound of flap of wings - they were distant. They came closer and then someone came and sat on its branches. It was the same bird that flew off in the evening. It was tired. It came and sat down. Then the bird just knocked its beak on the trunk checking of the tree had slept. It had not. The bird nuzzled closer to its trunk & said - I am not going anywhere - my life is with you. You gave me the strength so that i can fly high . With you I shall remain.The moon came to life once again shining bright, the stars sprang from behind the clouds & laid a canopy on their head, the wind started whistling a long forgotten tune , & the crickets chirped acknowledging the love of these two different elements. There was no more darkness left.
