An Act of Stupidity | Flash Post 330

Button, I committed an act of violence for which Dost reprimanded me and rightly so.

What exactly did you do?

Our Christmas tree had grown so tall that the family had a pretty tough time last year reaching the top branches in order to dress her up for her big day!

And?

So I instructed the guy who does the maintenance of our garden to chop off her lower trunk a little which had become bare. He actually went ahead and chopped off the fresh and younger branches from the top leaving a stump and explained why the tree could not be chopped from the bottom. My face fell. I immediately knew that I had committed a wrong. One morning, I found a white gum-like fluid oozing down the sides of this tree from the stump. I wondered if she was shedding tears because I had hurt it so badly.

That’s so sad.

I have written in one of my earlier posts how trees and plants are living specimens and feel hurt and pain when wounded just like us. They listen to music and actually thrive. I cursed myself for being so careless and so ignorant!

12 Comments

Zarina Mistry December 19, 2018 at 5:41 pm

That is truly sad. It’s like cutting off an arm of ours. But don’t be so hard on yourself author…we all make mistakes as long as we recognise them and never repeat them again.

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- author December 22, 2018 at 6:06 pm
  
  My dear Zarina,
  
  I have to be hard on myself or I’ll do it again and again and again. The tree must have felt immense pain which I realised only much later. It wasn’t stupidity on my part for having committed such an act but one of total ignorance and brazenness.
  
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rohan joshi December 19, 2018 at 5:44 pm

Every time I see a BMC person chopping off a tree, I balk. I get so angry that on one occasion, I actually stopped and asked them why. They said that it was dangerous for passers by because a weak tree has fallen and killed many people. The responsibility is then shifted to them and they are questioned. But I still feel this is an excuse for clearing the way for builders…

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- author December 22, 2018 at 6:18 pm
  
  My dear Rohan,
  
  You’re absolutely right. These trees that have been around for so many years to lend a green cover to the city, to house birds and soothen weiry eyes are hacked down shamelessly to accommodate more malls and houses for the rich. I believe BMC workers are not so much at fault because they do the dirty work on the instructions from officials higher up in the hierarchy who in turn take orders from someone even higher up.
  
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disha salgaonkar December 19, 2018 at 5:47 pm

Have you seen some of the trees in the city that have been around for ages and ages? Their roots are enormous and symbolise the life they’ve lived. So often the tree just goes missing. I don’t understand who gives BMC the permission to commit such a heinous crime! Your act was a mistake author. Not intentional. I’m sure you won’t repeat it because from what I can read, you are already repenting..

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- author December 22, 2018 at 6:45 pm
  
  My dear Disha,
  
  The only thing I do when I travel is watch the scenery along the way. There’s a huge banyan tree on Altamount with a million roots growing out of its branches and descending into the earth to lend support to the tree. A little distance away lay a hacked-down tree exposing the rings on the surface of its trunk. I got down to count those rings: There was a total of 24 rings which establishes the true age of the tree. Why was it hacked? Who hacked it! The blame-game continues without any conclusion.
  
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Bratati Ghosh December 19, 2018 at 5:50 pm

Thank you for your honesty author…it goes a long way to show us how sad you are by your own act. At least you haven’t thrown out your tree like so many people do. They just don’t understand that these are living things too. They need water and sunshine. It’s like taking care of a baby or a pet. All plants need attention and maintenance. Not to forget love.

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- author December 22, 2018 at 6:59 pm
  
  Dear Bratati,
  
  I still feel angry with myself when I pass the tree. She’s still standing tall, all decked up and ready to take to the dance floor and spread some Christmas cheer. Why are we (that includes me too) so callous and heartless about other living species in this universe?
  
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Vinnil Shetty December 22, 2018 at 11:01 am

That’s a crime author…please don’t do this again. The only forest cover in the city, Aarey, may fall prey to the greed of the state government and builders. Let us at least try and take care of as much flora and fauna as we personally can as good citizens..

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- author December 22, 2018 at 7:02 pm
  
  Dear Vinnil,
  
  I have noted your warning and promise not to commit an act of cruelty again. Thank you for reprimanding me.
  
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Mahua Mahapatra December 22, 2018 at 11:03 am

I have been fostering a chilli plant for my friend who is traveling for 3 months. She didn’t want to take the risk of the plant dying due to lack of water and care so she requested me. It came as a tiny little thing and now it gives me my daily supply of mirchis! I think it’s paying me back for fostering it…

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- author December 22, 2018 at 7:22 pm
  
  My dear Mahua,
  
  That’s so cute.
  
  There was this dog who was abandoned by his family who flew back to their home town somewhere abroad. We called him Shabby because his white coat has turned grey from being on the streets. We fed Shabby and took care of him till he passed away lonely and sad.
  
  The care and love you gave that little sapling to grow into a plant is so heart-warning and hopeful in contrast to this inhumane family who threw out their dog of many years onto the streets to fend for himself!
  
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