Green Branches

 Written by: Najia Nijat

Once upon a time, a boy named Samsour was living in a village in a poor family. There was a forest near the village. Samsor's father was ill and Samsor's mother asked Samsor to bring firewood. Samsor took an ax and a string and went to the forest. As he was in a hurry to play with his friends, he cut down a few green branches instead of firewood and took them home. Meanwhile, Samsor's friend, Naseem, came and asked Samsor if he did not want to play with them.

Samsour replied that he had gone to the forest and brought firewood and wanted Naseem to have breakfast with him.

When Naseem saw the green branches, he blamed Samsor for cutting them, telling him that his grandmother had told him that cutting twigs is a sin, but Samsor did not agree. Naseem became upset and went back.

Samsor's mother prepared breakfast for them but she did not see Naseem and asked Samsor about him.

Samsour shared the issue with her. His mother also confirmed Nasim's opinion.

Samsor told his mother that she could feed the animals with green leaves and use the branches for fire, but his mother blamed him for cutting the twigs.

Samsour got angry and went out to play.

Early in the next morning, Samsor picked up his ax and rope and went to the forest to cut green branches again.

Samsor saw a big tree and happily went toward the tree to cut its twigs. A parrot in the tree prevented Samsor from cutting them and said that it is a magic tree and added that if Samor cuts its twigs, he might face problems but Samor did care about it.

 When he tried to cut a twig with his ax, the tree swallowed him and when he opened his eyes, he was in a big and hot desert.
Samsour was thirsty and he was crying and wanted some water for drinking. Suddenly, he heard a terrible voice that was blaming Samsour for his wrong doing.
Samsour wanted the owner of the voice to introduce himself/herself.

It replied that it’s the tree that Samsour cut its twigs. Samsour was begging to forgive him and let him to rest under the shadow of the trees.
The tree replied that Samsour has already cut the branches of the trees and now they could not produce oxygen and nor helps him to use their shadow.
Samsour said that he could not find dry firewood so that he cut the twigs.

The magic tree said that Samsour was in hurry and he did not try to find firewood and the magic tree wanted the birds to eat Samsour.
The birds landed and struck Samsur with their beaks. Samsour cried and promised that he would never cut the branches of the tree and suddenly he lost consciousness.

Sometimes later, when Samsur regained consciousness, he saw Naseem by his side. Samsour told him the whole story and apologized to him and promised never to cut the twigs afterward.