Green Philosophy

 When I was eight and still learning about the ways of this planet, I read somewhere that plants needed a warm and humid environment to grow. Being a smart child with an incredible memory, I remembered it when I saw a tub of hot water. Naturally, my little brain went, "Ooh, this will make my dad's plants grow faster." There I went, ran to my dad's garden with a mug full of scalding hot water and poured it into the nearest plant. My dad, who was watching all this, gasped in total stupor. Unfortunately,  I was too fast to give my old man enough time to respond. (hehe, proud troublemaker smile on my face right now) 

While I watched him freak out at my attempted plant murder and ask me what the hell I did, I spoke with my sparkly cheerful eyes, "Papa, I read that plants need a hot and humid environment to grow!" " Budhhu," I heard behind his confused sad face, "Warm! Not hot!" ( He probably regretted sending me to school at this point). 

Before this year, I had always believed in my incapability to keep plants alive for more than a month. I was a serial killer for plants. (I am pretty sure they screamed in sheer horror every time I went hunting in a garden centre.) But, something changed this year.  I went all motherly and now I have a garden on my balcony. A garden with plants alive and thriving. This little family has chilies, tomatoes, coriander, mint, lavender and sunflowers. There is no greater pleasure than to have my morning chai while admiring them.

I didn't expect I would learn anything from gardening but I did. I can not hope for plants to thrive by giving too much water just like I sometimes offer too much Love. Be it people or plants, It doesn't matter if  I want them overflowing with what they need. There is one more thing that I must mention here. It is rather an advice from my mother. "Plants don't grow with water, sunlight and nutrients. They grow when you talk to them. They feel happy when you tell them you love them". Each plant needs distinct consistency in terms of care, nutrients and love. Hmmm... Plants sound a lot like people, Maa.

- Anshu Rajput