Page 101 - English Class 07

Both were taken for granted as permanent fixtures that were of no concern to the mass

of humanity that surrounded them. No longer did people gather under the banyan tree to
discuss their problems and their plans; only in the summer months did someone seek
shelter under it from the fierce sun.

But there was, of course, the boy, his grandson. It was good that his son worked closeby
and he and the daughter-in-law could live in Mahmood’s house. It gladdened his heart to
watch the boy at play in the winter sunshine, growing under his eyes like a young and well-

nourished sapling, putting forth new leaves each day.
There is great affinity between trees and men. They grow at much the same pace, If

they are not hurt, or starved, or cut down. In their youth, they are resplendent creatures,
and in their declining years they stoop a little. They remember, they stretch their brittle
limbs in the sun and with a sigh, shed their last leaves.
humanity : people in general
Mahmood was like the banyan, his hands gnarled and
resplendent : very bright
twisted like the roots of the ancient tree. Ali was like the
young mimosa plant at the end of the courtyard. In two years, both he and the tree would

acquire the strength and confidence that are characteristics of youth.

The voices in the street grew fainter and Mahmood wondered if he was going to be
asleep and dream as he so often did of beautiful, powerful kite resembling the great white

bird of the Hindus, Garuda, God Vishnu’s famous steed.
He would like to make a wonderful new kite for little Ali. He had nothing else to leave for

the boy.

English-7 101