Originally written in the diary-cum-book by Ruskin Bond – Words from the Hills on 5th March, 2018.
Every morning while preparing breakfast I stand in front of the kitchen window for a couple of minutes to look at the mango tree in our neighbour’s yard. Since I have come to live here, I had only seen dusty green leaves or brown ones in it. But, the spring has sprinkled its magic on the tree, and for the past few weeks a whirl of transformation has turned it into a magical tree. It’s not only flushed with shiny, baby green leaves but it’s flecked with snowy white, fragrant blossoms too, some branches laden with it – a sight to behold. Not only that but several nests are also visible now that were not there earlier. Just a couple of days back I saw an Indian Jungle Crow bringing a twig in its beak and placing it tactfully in a nest which already looked homely and comfortable for the new members to come. It also strikes me that unknowingly this crow will have to raise a brood of Asian Koels as well, for those cheeky singers are back – the males singing their sugary, syrup-sweet melodies hidden among the trees – calling out to their mates of last years…
I wrote this entry in the diary-cum-book by Ruskin Bond almost 5 years back. I still love this mango tree and look at it at leisure times. Now that we are going to move soon, I will miss this tree dearly. Our new place doesn’t have a mango tree in vicinity which does irk me a bit, because wherever I have lived, there have always been a mango tree nearby. But, there are other trees around the new place to compensate for, so I hope I learn to know and love them as much as this one.