One big attraction for the three buddies was the large banyan tree in their school. While the sunblazed, they would finish their lunch quickly, play for a while and thenrun, a few minutes before the bell, to the cool shade of the banyan tree to let their sweat dry off and their breaths to return to normal.
Everyone knew that the tree was very old but no one knew how old exactly. Bala had shown his two friends a photograph of his grandfather as a boy, sitting under the same tree. Muthu often imagined that the tree was looking at him affectionately. When noone was around, Muthu would talk to the banyan tree. Sometimes he would complain about his parents and at other times, he would submit a listof things he wanted for the next festival. His grandmother had told him stories in which banyantrees had the power to fulfill wishes. Maybe there was some truth in the stories because some of his wishes did get fulfilled!
There was anelevated circular platform aroundthe base of the tree. It was the venueof many livelydiscussions among students. Longago, the village elders used to gatherat the tree to take decisions and dispense justice.
A few years ago, the school trust had considered chopping up the tree since they wanted to expand the building premises. But Father Justin and many of the staf and students got together and campaigned against this. After much argument and effort, the tree was saved.
