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Extract from the Story
He was still lying beneath the tree when the evening shadows crept across the garden. Grandfather came back and sat down beside Rakesh, and they waited in silence until the stars came out and the
nightjar
began to call. In the forest below, the crickets and
cicadas
began tuning up; and suddenly the trees were full of the sound of insects.
‘There are so many trees in the forest,’ said Rakesh. ‘What’s so special about this tree? Why do we like it so much?’
‘We planted it ourselves,’ said Grandfather. ‘That’s why it’s special.’
‘Just one small seed,’ said Rakesh, and he touched the smooth bark of the tree that he had grown. He ran his hand along the trunk of the tree and put his finger to the tip of a leaf. ‘I wonder,’ he whispered. ‘Is this what it feels to be God?’
‘There are so many trees in the forest,’ said Rakesh. ‘What’s so special about this tree? Why do we like it so much?’
‘We planted it ourselves,’ said Grandfather. ‘That’s why it’s special.’
‘Just one small seed,’ said Rakesh, and he touched the smooth bark of the tree that he had grown. He ran his hand along the trunk of the tree and put his finger to the tip of a leaf. ‘I wonder,’ he whispered. ‘Is this what it feels to be God?’
Summary in Bullet Points
- The answer is not that the cherry tree is rare. The forest already contains many larger trees.
- Personal care creates value. This tree carries their memory of planting, protecting, waiting and watching.
- Rakesh’s final question expresses wonder at creation. Touching the tree he grew from one small seed, he wonders whether creating and nurturing life gives a tiny glimpse of what it feels like to be God.
- The ending is about awe, not pride. Rakesh is amazed by the transformation from seed to full-grown tree.
NCERT Questions (from the Textbook)
Let us Think and Reflect
Let us Think and Reflect
What might Rakesh mean when he says, “Is this what it feels to be God?” at the end?
How to answer:
Answer in complete sentences and use specific incidents from the story.
View Answer
Rakesh is overwhelmed by the transformation of one small seed into a full-grown tree. He experiences the wonder and responsibility of nurturing life and momentarily imagines the joy of creation.
Board Pattern
Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer
2 marks
Why is the cherry tree special to Rakesh and Grandfather?
2 Marks
How to answer:
Give the key point and one relevant detail from this section.
View Answer
Answer: It is special because they planted and cared for it themselves. Their shared memories and effort give the tree a personal value that the many forest trees do not have.
Longer Short Answer
3 marks
What does Rakesh mean by asking, “Is this what it feels to be God?”
3 Marks
How to answer:
Explain the idea and connect it with the story’s development.
View Answer
Answer: He is filled with wonder that a tiny seed he planted has become a living tree. The question expresses awe at the power of growth and the joy of nurturing life, not a literal belief that he is God.
