I was staring out of my bedroom window. I could see nothing because of a tree that had completely covered everything. I wanted this tree to be cut down and my wish was about to be fulfilled as some woodcutters were arriving that day to do just that. While I stood there lost in my thoughts I heard a voice.

It said, “Hey you! I need to speak to you.”

I looked around in disbelief. I was alone, yet I knew I had heard a voice speak to me. I heard the same call again. I looked around and saw the tree in front of my window, it was speaking. I couldn’t believe my eyes and opened the window to see the tree more clearly.

“Hello, my friend! I know, I might be your least favourite thing to see at this moment, but just hear me out,” it said.

“Am I dreaming right now or what? A tree is speaking to me!” I said in utter disbelief.

“Yes, you’re not dreaming and I am speaking to you. I wanted to tell you that I might seem annoying to you, but I serve a lot of useful purpose. I am a great blessing and I do a lot that may not be noticed,” it explained.

“Yeah, right, a boring old annoying tree blocking the view from my window,” I scoffed.

“You are really naive. I create a lot of oxygen, because of which you’re alive and breathing. I give shade to many people and as for your bedroom, I cover the excess sunlight which will shine on your face and wake you up at the crack of dawn unwillingly. It is because of the shade of my thick branches that your room doesn’t get too hot,” it said earnestly.

“No, as a matter of fact, I won’t be seeing you after a while, for soon you will be cut,” I said casually and turned to pick up my phone that was ringing. It was the woodcutters, who said that they would not be coming today and will come tomorrow instead. I sighed and put down the phone.

Later that night I went to sleep. I was awoken by sunlight shining directly on my face. It was so bright that I could hardly see anything. The room was unusually very warm. I tried to go back to sleep, but that was almost impossible. That was then that I opened my eyes and realised that I had been dreaming. The room was cool and shaded, like always.

I ran to the window and looked out to see the familiar tree. I opened the window and thanked it for making me realise what a blessing it was. I ran to my mum and told her that I don’t want the tree cut as it was a blessing in disguise.

From that day onwards I never took anything for granted and planted more trees to help save this planet. There is no Planet B and to make this planet stay healthy and green, we all need to work together and plant more trees.

Published in Dawn, Young World, November 9th, 2024