A Special Tree In My Life
Reciprocal’s nature prompt for the 1st week of December.
I had to take some time to think about my special tree, as I had many in my life. Dr. Preeti Singh’s prompt challenged my memory.
A memoir
My father worked all of his life in a firm that transformed big trunks into refined drawn wood to build chalets or any kind of interior. I’ve smelled wood since I was a child. I liked when he took me to visit his workplace and left me free to explore around.
I’ve also got a related memory of me leaving a typed sheet in the secretary’s office and my father being scolded by his boss for letting me use the typewriter (not the time of computers back there).
My father’s comment: “ You did it well, but you were so accurate in your description, there was no doubt you were describing us. Next time, which probably will never happen, at least don’t leave such detailed traces..”. A nice smiling memory just unchained by thinking about trees. It showed up spontaneously on this occasion and I wanted to share it.
My favorite tree
Back to today’s prompt, my favorite tree comes from far away.
I saw it in India, and it was my first banyan tree. I didn’t know these big trees even existed on earth. It impressed me so much that I still remember it after almost thirty years as if I had just seen it.
It was love at first sight.
Unfortunately, I haven’t any personal pictures to show you. I didn’t have even a mobile at the time and taking photographs with a camera was a completely different issue. My friends gave me some photos of the voyage, but the banyan wasn’t in.
Why is the banyan tree so special?
The Banyan tree is venerated in Hinduism. It has the ability to live for centuries and is considered God’s shelter. It has got large leaves often used in worship and rituals. Due to these characteristics, the tree is considered a symbol of immortality, and Brahma the Creator. It is also known as the Tree of Life.
I suppose the symbolic connection between the earth and the sky is given by the innumerable roots descending on the ground to form the basis for other trunks regaining space up in the sky in a never-ending game.
The banyan tree is a very very interesting creation and I can’t stop thinking about its beauty.
Find out the beauty of nature in these stories by other fellow writers on Reciprocal.
