Arboreal

It was a place of happiness. The strong branches with their dense leaves had harboured so many different families in their embrace. On many, many occassions, a plump myna has stood on the branch closest to my office window and has done the bird version of the soap box speech. On other occassions, the same myna has stood on that very branch and screeched at me, appearing to admonish me for wasting my time sitting within four walls and only looking at such greenery and the mild drizzle of rain bathing it just a few feet away. It was a wonderful feeling to be around this tree especially in the monsoon, and the soothing, hushed sound of raindrops caressing the leaves was beautiful music.

The tree was home to squirrels as well. The constant strife between the squirrels and crows that shared the branches kept me entertained through long workdays. It was among these branches that I've seen the dexterity of the nimble squirrels, as the frisky little creatures hung on to branches with only their fore limbs as they ran around the very edge of the branches. There have been so many times when I've literally 'willed' the mynas to build a nest in one of the branches. I'm glad now that they had plans of their own. I wish these happy times could have lasted.

This whole happy picture literally came crashing down in all of half a day. In just one morning progress overcame happiness. The last vestiges of their magnificence came crashing down. I wish trees were like buildings; one could start building and end up with such a wonderful tree as the one that stood next to me on the other side of the wall. Even the beehive on top of the tall tree wasn't spared. Bees buzzed in their smoky stupor as their hive, now reduced to a great ball of fire, came crashing down from the heights. Just now a bee has been buzzing around near me, perhaps looking for a place to start afresh; but no, he's turned and left in disgust - living in an air conditioner just doesn't compare to the tall, stately mansion he's used to, where the sun warms, the gentle breezes cool and the music of the rain continues to float around the leaves. Its raining now. I miss my friend.