10.2 The Text

The full story The Cherry Tree is in your NCERT Poorvi textbook. This page gives an original summary and explanation — read the story itself first, then use these notes.

Summary

Eight-year-old Rakesh lives with his grandfather in the hill town of Mussoorie. One day, eating cherries he has bought in the bazaar, he saves a single seed and plants it in the garden, almost forgetting about it afterwards. Months later, he is delighted to spot a tiny green sapling pushing up from the soil. With his grandfather’s encouragement, he begins to watch over it.

The little tree’s life is full of dangers. A goat eats its leaves; later, a woman cutting grass accidentally slices it with her scythe; and the cold of winter threatens it again. Each time, the cherry tree seems almost finished — and each time it springs back, sending out fresh leaves and growing a little stronger.

Over the years the tree grows taller, until one spring it stands even taller than Rakesh, covered in lovely pink blossoms and bearing small, sour cherries. Rakesh feels proud and deeply connected to the tree he has raised. Grandfather shares his joy, and Rakesh comes to understand the quiet wonder of having made something grow.

Explanation: growth on three levels

The tree grows. From a seed no bigger than a pebble, the cherry tree becomes a blossoming tree. Its survival against the goat, the scythe, and the frost shows nature’s resilience — the power to recover and keep growing despite harm.

Rakesh grows. As the tree grows, so does Rakesh. He changes from a careless child who almost forgets the seed into a patient, responsible boy who tends the tree and treasures it. The tree teaches him to wait, to care, and to take pride in slow, honest effort.

The bond grows. Through it all, Grandfather guides gently — encouraging, never forcing. The shared joy of watching the tree grow deepens the loving bond between grandfather and grandson, and between people and the natural world.

The Key Idea A great oak — or a cherry tree — begins as a single seed. The story’s quiet message is that small beginnings, nurtured patiently through hardship, can grow into something beautiful. Persistence and care matter more than speed.