The Green Mushroom

I have nicknamed the banana tree that is just outside my window, ‘The Green Mushroom’.  For someone who found solace in nature and greenery, life in a Chennai flat with barely a couple of meters between the houses on all sides,  does feel a little dreary.    The coriander tree, the banana tree’s   predecessor, came as a pleasant surprise.  It had grown to reach my balcony in the first floor, its foliage forming a green curtain so the neighbour’s window did not feel like an intruder.  One day, it was a rude shock to see it chopped by the neighbour, in whose compound it had grown.  The neighbours had taken in their head to cut the the other foliage that were further away; Jasmine creepers, the growing mango tree, and the drumstick tree which would have been the original sinner inviting the kambili poochi worms;  all gone in a day!

I had reconciled myself to the reality that I might not see or feel greenery there for quite some time. While mourning their loss as I lay that night,  by the  window which opened to the balcony, I was amazed to see that the window now opened to a view farther away.  Through the gap between the two houses in the back row, I could see the horizon at a distance. I started thoroughly enjoying the luxury of seeing the branches of a tree from afar while going to sleep and waking up in the morning!  I philosophized that it is so true that nature has a different experience waiting for us with every move; I only need an open mind to look for it and enjoy it!!

 Seasons changed and days passed by. One fine day, I saw something green peeping its head.  I rushed to find a banana tree growing waving its leafy arms at me! The tree every time produced its long leaf like a bamboo stick and unfolded it slowly blocking the view I had come to enjoy.  I can’t say I resented that, but the tree soon became a clump of trees and had grown so many leaves in what seemed like a jiffy! It was then I decided to call it ‘The Green Mushroom’. I began watching its progress with great interest.  I found a squirrel walking up as close as I would see them in a cartoon; right down to his expression!  He took a close look at me and decided that he would rather scurry down!!

Having taken up quite a bit of space on the right side, the tree had decided spread its leaves to the other side.  While I opened my window in the hall, I found something brushing against it.  I could see the Green Mushroom wanted some of my window space as well!!  Every time I open and closed the window, I had to carefully move the leaf away so that it does not get crushed.  But, I was helpless about it staying close to the window glass that heats up in the afternoons. I could see that some parts of it was getting singed in the heat. I again had to philosophize, a tree is helpless as it is immobile.  But with all the mobility, we humans are often immobile in the wrong situations, not trying hard enough to get away!

It one day produced another green tube like structure, which I assumed would be another leaf.   To my amazement, it was the beginning of a ‘Thaar’ !  The process is so similar to that of a coconut tree producing coconuts.   A Vazhaipoo that easily could be thrice the size of the vazhaipoo that we could find in the vegetable market appeared.  Just like a Thennampalai, each petal of the flower reveals a row of tiny potential vazhaipazhams.  The tree is painstakingly adding to its size with every passing day.  I know the neighbour would one day cut the tree, but watching its efforts over a period of time, I know I shall remember the effort another similar tree had taken, every time I eat a banana and be thankful for it.