Page 18 - New Medley 5 Semester 1

But the birds liked them—especially the scarlet minivet small, slender birds

bigger birds, such as the bulbuls and with long tails
scarlet minivets—and they flitted in reclining leaving or lying back with

and out of the foliage, feasting on the the upper part of the body in a nearly
horizontal position
cherries. foliage all the leaves of a tree or plant

On a warm sunny afternoon, when gazed looked steadily for a long time
even the bees looked sleepy, Rakesh striding walking with long steps, often

was looking for Grandfather without because you feel very confident or
determined
finding him in any of his favourite places

around the house. Then he looked out of the bedroom window and saw
Grandfather reclining on a cane chair under the cherry tree.

“There is just the right amount of shade here,” said Grandfather. “And
I like looking at the leaves.”

“They’re pretty leaves,” said Rakesh. “And they are always ready to dance,

if there’s a breeze.”

After Grandfather had come indoors, Rakesh went into the garden and
lay down on the grass beneath the tree. He gazed up through the leaves

at the great blue sky, and turning on his side, he could see the mountain
striding away into the clouds. He was still lying beneath the tree when

the evening shadows crept across the garden. Grandfather came back and
sat down beside Rakesh, and they waited in silence until it was dark.

“There are so many trees in the forest,” said Rakesh. “What’s so special

about this tree? Why do we like it so much?”

“We planted it ourselves,” said
Grandfather. “That’s why it’s special.”

“Just one small seed,” said Rakesh, and

he touched the smooth bark of the
tree that had grown. He ran his hand

along the trunk of the tree and put his
finger to the tip of a leaf. “I wonder,”
he whispered. “Is this what it feels like

to be God?” —Ruskin Bond

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