Hoffman’s latest post ‘The Wonder of Ordinary Places’ inspired me to keep my eyes wide open to the minimum nature I could track down in this desert. A patch of grass, an isolated tree, a little bird – these can be much treasured sights around here. The carefully preserved parks that flaunt their artificial beauty have not enticed me much as I am more interested in the pure, pristine nature.
I am dedicating this post to the one little tree in our school. Many of you who revel in the luxuries of nature may be taken aback by the triviality (I would call it ‘modesty’) of the sight and might wonder if it is worth mentioning at all. But you will be in sympathy with me when you realize that this venerable tree is the only green beacon available for the whole school – it is the ‘Wonder of Our Ordinary Place.’
- Moringa Oleifera (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moringa_oleifera)
These are some excerpts from Wikipedia.
The “Moringa” tree is grown mainly in semi-arid, tropical, and subtropical areas… While it grows best in dry sandy soil, it tolerates poor soil… It is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India. Reports that it grows wild in the Middle East or Africa are completely unsubstantiated.[citation needed] The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron, and potassium.[5] The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. It is commonly said that Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas,” and that the protein quality of Moringa leaves rivals that of milk and eggs.[citation needed]
The nutritional and medicinal values of the tree have become its bane, making it vulnerable to the repeated attacks. Unruly hands ruthlessly rip off whole branches for a bunch of leaves or a few immature green pods. The tree looks very weak these days.
2. This air-conditioner torments the tree too much – keeping it exposed to the hot air continuously for ten hours! As I pressed my hands over its bark I could feel the intensity of the heat. I couldn’t stand the heat for even a few seconds! The tree must be hardy within.
3. The bark of the tree is now all parched and wrinkled – looks like signs of premature ageing, though I don’t know the exact age of the tree. Oh, dear tree, you do endure a lot for us!
4. The tree, a symbol of forbearance and resilience, bears fruits for its beneficiaries. In the glare of the scorching sun, the sight of the foliage against the blue sky keeps our lenses cool.
5. Amidst all the adversities the tree is sending out new shoots. No grudge, no revenge – I feel the tree is spurred by the sheer hope to sustain.
One more World Environment Day is round the corner. When all over the world people fervently plant new trees, we, who cannot afford even a square foot of soil, are happy celebrating this little benevolent tree. Don’t feel sorry for us, but this time keep us in mind and PLANT ONE EXTRA TREE in your part of the world, where ever it be…
I Think So 
Bindu
It is really cute that how you go in the minor details..
Your observation is really good and the lucky tree haha got a post in your blog
🙂
Thank you , Yogini.
I don’t feel the tree is lucky just as it got mentioned in a post. Poor thing, it has to struggle a lot, especially during summers.
Wonderful to see the “venerable tree” striving to exist, and your celebration of its beauty as it struggles against the AC unit! I’m honoured that you’ve written about my blog in such a way, Bindu, and found such a connection in your own space. And I believe your suggestion to plant a tree is a deeply important connection, and an extremely valuable contribution to both raising awaness of the beauty in our shared natural world, and also to creating it. Many thanks!!
Best wishes,
Julian
Thank you so much, Julian. Receiving comments from a great writer like you is definitely an honour and inspiration for me. I have already started doing something for the poor tree. Let there be more trees all over the world. Waiting to read your next post.
I liked it ma’am…You have a higher ability to think deeply about anything that you see and hear…”Moringa”– (it is the “Wonder of Our Ordinary Place.”) Ah! Great! the way you represented that tree is wonderful and it is true also..When we think about our school, the image of that tree also comes to our mind..Truly,we cannot stand under the hot sun even for a few seconds..but that poor tree bears the hot air coming from that AC for years..It has no mouth to open and say about the hardship that it is suffering for years..It provides us with a lot of helps..but we are plaguing it cruelly in return of its helps…but you recognized its hardships..GREAT! 🙂 ..The quality of your articles is enhancing each time….good…We are always proud to say that we are students of our” Bindu mam”:):):)
Thank you Ishanath for your kind words. As the ‘(ex) beneficiaries’ of the tree, you people can easily understand the relevance of the tree. We should save and rejuvenate the tree, before it is too late!
Sweet! I could actually “Feel” all you wrote. I, myself, feel the exact same way but it’s sad that many of the people here are oblivious of their environment. So long as they’re comfy in their homes, they can’t care less about the nature that harbors them on this planet. Where do you reside Bindu? Middle East?
Thank you fruitforbidden! Glad that you could feel it. You are right. We should be aware of the harm we are doing to nature each day and should at least try to minimise it. On this Env Day we are planning to do something for this tree. And yes, we are in the ME. (KSA)