The ' Tree lover' comes from the best writer ‘Ruskin Bond', a nature lover. As we know nature is a beautiful creation of god, Ruskin Bond has beautifully composed it in this book through five puffin chapters. Ruskin Bond is an Indian author of British Descent. He is an author and a poet by occupation. He is awarded the Sahitya Academy Award in 1993, the Padmashri award in 1999, the Delhi government's lifetime achievement award in 2012. He also received the Padma Bhushan title in 2014.
The book begins with chapter one that starts with Ruskin Bond who was sitting with his grandfather on the veranda steps one morning when he saw a creeping vine that was frolicking near his feet moved towards his grandfather, the vine was touching grandfather's feet.
According to Ruskin Bond, plants have a scientific explanation for the behaviour but they were fond of grandfather. This is amazing, as it tells us the love and compassion about the grandfather and nature around. It is perfect for the children to read such mesmerising chapters as it makes one aware of the relationship with nature and also the sweet illustration of the vine reminds us of the bond we share with our family.
In second chapter, we come to know that his grandfather had served many years in Indian Forest Service. It was considered normal that he had a greater understanding of the trees.
After his retirement, he had built up a Bungalow on the outskirts of the Dehra planting trees around him of fruits and flowers. The land was fertile as it was Doon Valley so trees grew tall and strong. The big Peepal tree had forced its way through the walls of an abandoned outhouse, knocking the bricks down with its vigorous growth.
Grandmother wanted to cut down but we can see that grandfather denied it with the line,
“Let it be. We can always build another outhouse”.
This was the kindness of his grandfather which appeals to the reader as an important aspect of trees and their survival, and also creates the impression of humanity that not only existed for the people but also the creation in the surrounding.
The next chapter tells us that grandfather was a sixty years old, although was a lean active man.
His passion for gardening was at a higher peak. During the meals, ladybirds or caterpillars would walk on his shirt sleeves and the table cloth. This is something exciting as we can see how nature around, that birds and insects have become a familiar sense of the writer’s grandfather. This reminds us about the love and the bond that they shared amongst themselves.
The chapter proceeds further with the Banyan tree which was the favourite of the writer.
It was huge and a home to several birds, insects, and animals around. Even the writer felt a great connection with the tree as it was older than the house.
In the later part, we can see how Ruskin Band describes the shrill cry of Cuckoo in the branches of the tree as, “It is very hot and he can feel it”.
This tells us the feelings of the writer and depict the conversations with nature just as humans have.
This was something unique, different and special for the readers who are not close to nature.
Chapter three starts with the grandfather and Ruskin Bond who walked into the Jungle with saplings to plant them. But the writer is in confusion as there are no visitors. His grandfather explains to him that trees are not only for humans but also birds and animals, keeping the desert away and attracting rain.
He also taught him the poem of George Morris, Woodman,
Spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth, it sheltered me And I'll protect it now.
This made Bond speechless and he never wanted to live on the treeless moon so he helped his grandfather, they also went to the foothill of the Himalayas and planted chestnuts and assumed, if they grow up in Spring they may have been eaten by the goats and the cattle grazing.
This part tells us how Bond inculcated the love for nature with his grandfather and the theme of compassion and being selfless is beautifully brought up towards the mind of the readers.
In chapter four, we can see they are back to Dehra to an island that is small and rocky in the middle of a dry river bed. It was extremely dry in summer and flooded during monsoon, but there was a small mango tree growing in the middle the of Island and grandfather said, “If mango can grow why not other trees”.
As it was about to rain they planted tamarind, laburnum, and Coral tree saplings. As the monsoon season arrived the trees were flourishing and there was green all about it was like magic over a lost deserted land.
His description of fauna and flora always leaves me in awe. Now the last chapter five we can see the writer is talking about when he was in Boarding School, as the war came followed by the Independence of India. Grandfather’s the house was put on sale and the writer had to go to Delhi to live with his parents in the holidays. He was wondering if the trees and birds in Dehradun missed him.
This show's till now he had built a great affection with nature and also was missing that pleasing life. His grandparents had shifted to England and the writer also with his parents migrated to England and was away from India for several years.
Recently he was back to Dehra and found the ‘Banyan Tree', that had grown over the walls and pavement were trying to follow grandfather's footsteps.
Then he walked to the river bed it was dried around as it was February, but to his amazement, red plums were spread all over a coral blossom. The island was a small green Paradise asking writer who are you.. who are you…in their language. This shows how the writer was delighted and felt blessed being back to the Dehra and he would like to live those moments once again.
Then in conclusion the writer describes the trees knew him and were whispering to each other, small trees and wild plants and grasses sprang up under the protection of the big trees. The writer felt that his grandfather's dream came true in one corner of the world.
The illustrations in this book are not so fascinating but at a deeper level, the book speaks of man's bond with nature and animals around. I recommend this book especially for children as it teaches the importance of the external existence with human survival.
One can also learn ethics through the different chapters portrayed in the book.
Thank you and have an extraordinary day of reading.
“ Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”
F.Y.B.A.
- Srushti Loya.
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