When I was a child, I was the eldest of 14 children in my grandma’s generation. Of course, I was the child who grew up beside my grandma.
I remember that there was a Chinese toon tree outside the gate of my grandma’s house at that time. The trunk was very thick, but the leaves on the tree were very sparse, and many of the leaves were very yellow.
In spring, when people want to eat some toon buds, there are often insects on the toon buds that are picked, and the leaves are very withered, not like spring leaves at all, and do not have the spirit of spring leaves.
Many people are confused and ask grandma what is going on? Grandma said the roots of this tree were broken.
I asked seriously, "What's wrong? Can it be cured?"
Grandma said, "It's difficult to cure!"
I said, "Can't you just apply some medicine to its roots?"
Grandma said, "I'm afraid. No, because its roots are rotten, and the rotten areas are getting bigger and bigger, and even the small branches are beginning to rot."
Someone then suggested that grandma dig up the tree and plant a new one. But I strongly objected and said I could cure it.
So I observed under the big tree every day and fed it medicine, which was to sprinkle some fertilizer on the roots of the big tree. Time passed day by day, and the big tree did not get better under my careful care. On the contrary, I am becoming less and less energetic. The holes on some branches are getting bigger and bigger, and there are many small insects living in them. Even though I sprayed medicine and injected the tree (using a discarded needle to draw water), it just didn't get better.
One day I was so anxious that I cried. Grandma said: "The roots of this tree are rotten and it has a strange disease. There is no medicine to cure it, so we can only cut it down."
I cried and said: "Put it down." Can't we just dig out the rotten parts of it?"
Grandma said: "How can it survive if we dig out the roots?"
After discussing with my grandma for a long time, there was still no practical way. Finally, with my grandma's persuasion, I Agree to cut down the tree.
When the tree was cut down, I saw that the root of the tree was indeed broken. There was a black hole in the middle of the root, as if it was moldy. Only a circle of bark seemed to be fine.
I also said, "No wonder it didn't get better even after I treated it for so long? It turned out to be rotten inside!"
Grandma said, "So it must be cut down, otherwise it will fall down if it gets windy or rainy one day." , it would be even worse if it just hit someone!”
I finally understood that this big tree that was so heartbreaking that I was reluctant to cut it down was a scourge that could hurt people at any time.
Later, grandma replanted a poplar tree about two meters away from the tree! Now this tree is still there, with its tall trunk, lush leaves, and the bark of this tree is very beautiful. There are eyes on the white bark, as if looking at all kinds of people.
I was a little older at that time, about ten years old, and I remember a text called Baiyang Praise. After school, I often stand next to the poplar tree, looking at these eyes, wondering in my heart, what are these eyes looking at? What did they see?
Is it possible that the scoundrel named Er Gouzi in the village refused to feed his mother? Do you often hit and scold the elderly?
Have you ever seen the vicious dog of the village chief's family biting the leg of Widow Zhang's youngest son until it was bloody?
Have you ever seen the custodian in the team deliberately weigh ten kilograms less sorghum to Grandma Liu when distributing rations?
Have you ever seen Tiedan fighting with a dog, but the village chief fined Tiedaner ten centimeters?
But no matter how I asked, the tree didn't answer me. I was a little discouraged. You have eyes for nothing, what did you see? Since you can't see anything, what do you need your eyes for?
So I often take a knife and cut its eyes, but after a few days, the eyes I cut are intact again. I had no choice but to ignore it.
In summer, people will enjoy the cool under the big trees.
When having lunch, people nearby would sit around under the big tree with bowls in their hands, chatting about their family and friends while eating simple meals that were more delicious than delicacies from the mountains and seas!
As I grew up, I gradually understood that although this tree cannot speak, it has witnessed the wind and rain, and seen the bitterness, sweetness, sourness, and warmth of the human world!
The tree is gone now, but its appearance will never disappear in my heart.
When I am tired, I will close my eyes and talk to it as if standing under this tree; when I am disappointed, I will close my eyes and talk to it as if it gives me strength. It also gave me hope.
I have to admit that this tree in my heart has given me a lot of support over the years. It has awakened my numb mind many times when I was desperate. I am grateful for this tree in my heart and hope it will remain tall and straight forever!
