10.1 Before You Read
Before You Read Have you ever planted a seed and waited for it to grow? It takes patience — and sometimes the tiny plant has to survive being trodden on, nibbled, or frozen. This story follows one such seed and the boy who refuses to give up on it.
The setting
The story takes place in Mussoorie, a hill town in the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand. The cool climate, the slopes, the frost and snow of winter, and the burst of spring blossom all play a real part in the tale — the place is almost a character itself. Knowing this helps you picture the cherry tree’s struggle through the seasons.
About the form: a short story
This is a short story told over several years. Watch how the writer shows the passage of time — from a tiny seed to a blossoming tree — and how the tree’s growth runs alongside the boy’s own growing-up. The story is quiet and realistic, with no magic; its wonder comes from nature itself.
The main characters
- Rakesh: a curious, kind boy of about eight, who plants and cares for the cherry seed.
- Grandfather: wise, patient, and encouraging; he guides Rakesh and loves the garden.
Key Idea The cherry tree is more than a tree. Its slow, stubborn growth — surviving a goat, a scythe, and harsh winters — mirrors how Rakesh grows up, and how all living things must struggle and persist to flourish. Growth, the story says, takes time, care, and resilience.
Think and discuss
- Why does it feel special to grow a plant yourself rather than simply buy one?
- What qualities does a person need to care for something over many years?
- In what ways is growing up like the growth of a tree?