Peepal tree

There is a lot of construction happening in the city. Buildings, bridges, pavements. Obviously progress needs sacrifices ,especially of the old trees which are perhaps more than 60 yr old. The trees don't have a voice and not do the citizens staying around them.

Some of these trees take revenge by immediately sprouting new leaves within a week or two. Some take it in a slightly unpredictable way.

New metro construction is going on vigorously around my hospital. Along the way , especially around the entry and exit gates,stood two old peepal trees. These were cut to accommodate new metro station coming up at the hospital gates. 

Now stories have begun circulating.

A ward boy walking around the in- gate saw the whole ,uncut trees where the original tree stood. And something more. A person sitting on the tree. Dangling their legs. Smiling.

People say the hospital has been standing here for many years. Not all people who were treated here had a peaceful,happy resolution. There are bound to be some stories.

One such story was about our old laboratory. People going to the washroom heard a lady crying. Male persons on duty felt something brushing against them at night. That something was named “Bhishma” by our staff. Eventually all people on night duty learnt to hold their bladder between 2 am and 6 am , when the lady was most active.

No way to confirm or refute the story of peepal tree. The ward boy who apparently saw this fell sick, left the job and left the city. People have started using the out-gate at night.

Perhaps when the metro starts running , it may have these special travelers. We should wait for those stories.

04.05.25