The Peepal Tree – Bedtime Story for Kids

By Priyanka A R

Amer and his mother were in the village for vacation. He loved going for walks along the red muddy roads.

“Ammi, we should be kind, shouldn’t we?”

“Of course, we need to be, Amer.”

“I saw you cutting Grannyamma’s nails. I love the thought that you are a kind person.” 

Ammi smiled. “That’s just a small act. I want you to be a peepal tree.”

Amer blinked his eyes. He did not understand. He has seen pictures of peepal trees in his drawing book, but never a real one.

“I will ask Gopi Anna to take me to the tree.”

“We will go together, just us.”

“Will Mehru cry, if we don’t take her along with us?”

“We will take her next time. She is a little busy today.  Grannyamma is teaching her a new song.”

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Ammi knows how to ride a bicycle, so they went to Gopi Anna’s cycle shop and rented one. Amer sat behind Amma. Holding her tight, he could lean over her and see the trees moving backwards.

Amer saw one thousand leaves fluttering in the breeze, from a distance. What Ammi told was right, he felt safe and serene, standing below the giant tree. It is like Abba’s hugs, he thought.

They sat on the big roots of the tree, tangled together.

“Peepal tree doesn’t have those hanging roots?”, Amer was curious.

“That’s a banyan tree, Amer. Do you remember the day we went for a picnic and you grabbed an  aerial root to swing?”

“That was a long time ago. Mehru missed that too, she was nowhere then, not even in your tummy.”

“We will go again, together this time. The hills and rocks, the small caves and the wind. I am sure she will love it. Now Amer, close your eyes. You can feel the magic of nature.”

A lot of things flashed through his mind. Ammi’s soft kisses, Abba’s hug, Grandpa’s stories, Grannyamma’s halwa, Nirupam uncle’s lemon juice, Mehru’s smile.

He opened his eyes.

“Why did you open your eyes so soon, don’t you want to see more?”

“Ammi, you could also see that, how?”, Amer wondered.

“That’s also magic – A different kind.” Ammi smiled.