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UNDER THE BAEL TREE

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶
© Amanda Forestwood

Kabir and Deepak sat under a bael tree taking a break from the heat of the afternoon sun. They shared an aloo toast sandwich while keeping watch over their rickshaws, Deepak smiling and contented, Kabir scowling and dejected.

“What is your problem, Kabir?” asked Deepak. “You never seem happy nor do you have anything cheerful to say. You do not talk about your children and how they are doing in school nor do you discuss how things are with your wife.”

“We are struggling day after day, Deepak. Nothing positive ever happens. There are bills and rent to pay. Now my wife just told me she is expecting another child!”

“Congratulations, my friend! Another child! How can you say nothing positive ever happens? This is a blessing for you and your wife!”

“You think so, Deepak, when we can barely feed the three children we already have? Now my wife will be unable to work and I will be the only wage earner in the family. My pockets are empty and I will have to work even more hours!”

The two men ate in silence for a while, then Deepak spoke. “Kabir, we have known each other all our lives. We are like brothers so I am going to speak plainly to you. How we greet each new day shows clearly on our faces. If you are negative and always feel you deserve more in life, that is the first thing people see. When your wife told you she was expecting a baby, did you embrace her and tell her how happy you were? Did you share this joy with your other children? I can see by the look on your face that you did not. Why, Kabir?”

Kabir hesitated for a moment. “Deepak, it’s true we are like brothers but you have never had to scrimp and save for the things in your life. Your children are happy and do well in school while mine are sullen. Your wife is content and radiates joy while mine is depressed. Do not try to tell me we are the same when we have been dealt a very different lot in life.”

At this Deepak became angry. “Kabir, you are a fool! Do you think I haven’t had to work for what I have? How our children grow and behave is a direct reflection of us and how we behave. How our wives feel is directly based on how we feel. If we are sullen, our home will be bleak and if we are optimistic, our home will be cheerful. Together my wife and I pledge to make the best of every day. Nothing good comes without effort.”

Having said that, Deepak stood to leave. “Kabir, it is never too late. You still have time to turn things around. May your life always be full and blessed and may your rickshaw … and your pockets … never be empty.”

Kabir sat alone under the bael tree thinking what a camel’s ass he had been. The passengers will still be here one hour from now; first he needed to go home and embrace his wife.

NAR © 2023

21 July 2023

49 thoughts on “UNDER THE BAEL TREE”

    1. Thank you, Rochelle. Definitely a case of the cup being 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.
      I’ve no idea how I missed the 100 word requirement but it slipped right by me. I made the rounds and apologized to the other members of the group who all wrote such fine stories in so few words; I hope you saw my message. It was an oversight on my part and I was embarrassed for the blooper. Nice to read everyone’s very understanding comments. ✌🏼

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      1. I did see your message, Nancy. Lately I’ve been slow getting around to replies. I’ve also seen all of your apologies. You’re most definitely forgiven. Next time you’ll remember. And it was a good story.

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  6. I can understand where Kabir is coming from. Nowadays, people are struggling and things are becoming more and more difficult for them. And I can see where Deepak is coming from too. Our moods affect those around us. We all see and deal with life differently. It’s all about perspective. I wonder if Deepak is going to feel that he was too harsh with Kabir. I wonder if Kabir will take his advice and change his mood.

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  7. I think they’re both right. Deepak is correct that one’s mood affects those around them, but it can also be difficult to rise above one’s circumstances and remain positive in the face of adversity.

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  12. I certainly share the perspective of Deepak. Well-stated here. I’m wondering, though, if you’re aware that this is a 100-word challenge. It would be quite an accomplishment to condense all that into 100 words!

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    1. Thanks for letting me know and for being so polite about it! The word count completely eluded me and I’m terribly embarrassed by that blunder. I’m usually much more careful about something so important! So very sorry and apologies to everyone in the group! That was a careless mistake. Please feel free to remove my post; even though unintentional, I broke the rules. ✌🏼

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      1. I missed you, too. Missed all my buddies here. We had a marvelous time, Nancy, although the heat in Milano and southern France was dreadful. 106F and humidity. While we were in Cannes, the French Health Minister told everyone to stay home and not go outdoors until the sunset. And then the rolling power failures started – no AC, no hot water (which was fine by me) and the restaurants closed down. We left and headed for Lyon and Dijon and stayed there. Tomorrow, I dive into the mountain of laundry.

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        1. Oh dear! That wasn’t comfortable, I’m sure! It’s dreadfully hot everywhere; we’ve been consistently in the upper 90s with silly high humidity. Hopefully it’s more comfy back home. I don’t envy you the laundry one bit!

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  16. Raining in New York in the heart of the summer… seems like ,weather wise, We’re not in Kansas, anymore!

    Deepak has unveiled some of lives simplest, powerful yet elusive truths.

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