The Cherry Tree
by Ruskin Bond
Can you identify these trees? Choose from the list given to you.
a. Gulmohar; b. Laburnum; c. Deodar; d. Banyan; Coconut;
Quick answers:
1. Write the names of the insects, birds and animals which came to the cherry tree.
a. a praying mantis.
b. a hairy caterpillar.
c. a goat.
d. bees.
e. tiny birds.
f. They came to the cherry tree to get their food.
Reference to context:
2. 'Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.'
a. Who said this and to whom?
= Grandfather said this to Rakesh.
b. What was the speaker referring to?
= The speaker is referring to the cherry seed.
c. How did the person being spoken to 'put it to some use'?
= The person being spoken to 'put it to some use' by planting it in the corner of the garden.
3. 'Come back when you're a butterfly', he said.
a. Who said this and to whom?
= Rakesh said it to a hairy caterpillar.
b. Why did the speaker not want the creature to stay?
= Rakesh did not want the caterpillar to stay because it started a meal of the leaves of the cherry tree.
c. What does this line tell you about the speaker?
= Rakesh was very protective about the cherry tree as he himself planted it. He wanted to take very care of the tree and protect it from everything. He also likes animals too. He likes butterflies. He wanted the caterpillar to come back again while being a butterfly.
4. ' ….. he could see the mountain striding away into the clouds.'
a. Who is referred to as 'he' in this line?
= Rakesh is referred to as 'he' in this line.
b. From where could 'he' see the mountain?
= Laying down on the garden grass beneath the tree, 'he' could see the mountain.
c. What does the expression 'striding away into the clouds' mean?
= The expression 'striding away into the clouds' means that the mountains are like walking with long steps into the clouds.
Read, reflect and write:
5. How did Rakesh and his Grandfather spend the winter evenings?
= In winter evenings, Grandfather and Rakesh sat over a charcoal fire and Grandfather told Rakesh stories - stories about people who turned into animals, and in turn Rakesh would read to him from the newspaper, Grandfather's eyesight being rather weak. Rakesh found the newspaper very dull - especially after the stories - but Grandfather wanted all the news.
6. Rakesh thought that the cherry tree had died on two occasions. Narrate the incidents briefly.
= The cherry tree was two feet high when a goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves. Only the main stem and two thin branches remained. Rakesh was upset and he thought that the tree would die.
Next, towards the end of the rainy season new leaves appeared on the tree. Then a woman cutting grass cut the cherry tree in two. Rakesh thought that the tree might die.
7. What question does Rakesh ask at the end of the story? What do you think he means by the question?
= The question Rakesh asks at the end of the story, is 'I wonder, is this what it feels to be God?'
He means to say that he has planted the small seed by his hand and it has come up as a big tree. Its the amazing feeling when he touched the bark of the grown-up tree and the leaves of the same. As the God has created the whole world and Rakesh is feeling the divine as he has also created the cherry tree by planting the seed in the corner of the garden.
8. Would you consider Rakesh and his Grandfather to be nature lovers? Why do you think it is important to plant trees?
= Rakesh and his Grandfather are definitely nature lovers. At the beginning of the story Rakesh wanted to throw the cherry seed out. But it is his Grandfather who insisted him to plant the seed.
Next, when then found out that the seed has sprung up, Rakesh and his Grandfather took good care of it. In few years, the sapling became a big tree. They used to sit under the tree and observe its beauty. Rakesh also observed the hill and the sky through the leaves. Grandfather also used to sit beside Rakesh and they waited in silence till it was dark.
Trees are our best friends. All animals depend on trees directly or indirectly. We get oxygen, food, medicine from the trees. So, it is very important to plant trees.
9. 'Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.' Give an example of your own to illustrate this quote.
= Once on the way to school, I found a ten rupee note. I was eager to return it to the owner of the note. But there were no means to found the person as I did not have any clue to get to him/her. One of my classmates told me to use it for some good reason.
On the way back to school, I found a beggar on the pavement. I gave the note to him. He bought food and ate to his heart's content. He gave me blessings too. I was too much happy to make him happy for the moment. I returned home and told the whole incident to my grandmother. She said that I have used the money most properly. It was luck for me as I had done some good deed with the money.
About the Author:
Ruskin Bond (b. 1934) was born in Kasauli, India. He now lives in Mussoorie. The first book he read as a child was Ali in Wonderland: And Other Tall Tales. The Room on the Roof was published when he was 21, and was partly based on his experiences in Dehradun. Though he has authored several collections, Rusty's Adventures, The Panther's Moon, The Night Train at Deoli, and Our Trees Still Grow at Dehra are his most popular story collections.