ENVIRONMENT

The Cherry Tree (by Ruskin Bond)

A heartwarming story about patience, growth, and the beautiful bond between humans and nature.

Six-year-old Rakesh buys a bunch of cherries in the Mussoorie bazaar and walks home to his grandfather’s cottage.
After eating the cherries, his grandfather advises him to plant the last seed in a shady corner of the garden to put it to good use.
The following spring, Rakesh is thrilled to discover that the seed has sprouted into a tiny twig. He waters it and protects it with a circle of pebbles.
The young tree faces severe challenges to its survival: a goat eats all its leaves during the monsoon, and later, a woman cutting grass accidentally slices the plant in two.
Despite the damage, the resilient cherry tree refuses to die and sprouts new shoots by the next summer.
As Rakesh grows up, the tree grows rapidly alongside him. It begins to attract wildlife, hosting a praying mantis, a caterpillar, and eventually birds that feed on its nectar and sour cherries.
By the time Rakesh is nine, the tree is four years old and taller than his grandfather. They sit together under its shade, marveling at the miracle of having grown a tree from a single small seed.

A poetic tribute to the divine forces of nature that make agricultural abundance possible.

The poem is a joyous song of praise dedicated to the gods of nature during the harvest festival.
Praise to the Sun: The men sing to Surya (the Sun God), thanking him for his bright, generous sunlight that prospers their sowing and ripens their golden crops.
Praise to the Rain: The people offer thanks to Varuna (the Water God) for sending the rains and dewfall that nourish and cherish their grain.
Praise to the Earth: All voices unite to praise Prithvi (the Earth), honoring her as the sweet, omnipotent mother who is the ultimate source of life, home, and their harvest.
The people dedicate their hard work, lives, and the bounty of the fields as a tribute to these divine forces using cymbals and flutes.

A narrative reflecting on the struggles of farming and learning to understand nature's cycles.

Velu, a hardworking farmer, wakes up anxiously looking for clouds. He has diligently farmed his land for six years, but a prolonged dry spell threatens his livelihood.
Desperate for answers, he travels to the city weather office, but the officials are unable to predict the rain despite favorable atmospheric conditions.
Tired and dejected, Velu rests under a large tree and meets a smiling, wise old woman.
Velu complains to her that his hard work is being unfairly punished by the drought.
The old woman changes his perspective by explaining that the Earth is a mother to everyone. Just like any living being, the overworked land needs periods of rest (drought) to heal and recover its strength.
Comforted by this realization, Velu heads back to his village. Just as he accepts nature's wisdom, dark clouds finally gather, and the much-awaited, fragrant rain begins to fall, filling him with joy.

Insights derived from the chapter's integrated activities and ecological lessons.

Conservation Movements: Highlights historical efforts like the Chipko Movement and the Appiko Movement, where common people hugged trees to prevent deforestation and regenerate forests.
Inspiring Figures: Features Indian environmental heroes like Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka (who planted thousands of trees) and Jadav Payeng, known as the "Forest Man of India" (who single-handedly created a thousand-acre forest over 30 years).
Sustainable Agriculture: Explains traditional farming wisdom like "fallowing" (letting land rest to naturally recover nutrients and moisture) and crop rotation to maintain soil health.
Superfoods: Discusses the high nutritional profile and climate-resilient properties of Millets (like Pearl Millet/Bajra), promoting them as healthy and sustainable dietary options.

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