English TEXTUAL QUE UNIT [2M]

The cherry tree is special because Rakesh and his grandfather planted it themselves and watched it grow through many challenges. It became a symbol of their bond, resilience, and patience. While there were many trees in the forest, this one held personal meaning. It reminded them of their effort, care, and shared moments. It wasn’t just a tree—it was a part of their story.

As the cherry tree grew, it began attracting visitors from nature. The first was a bright green praying-mantis that perched on one of its branches, and Rakesh allowed it to stay. Later, a hairy caterpillar came and began eating the leaves, which Rakesh removed gently. Bees also came to feed on the blossoms.

On Rakesh’s ninth birthday, he received a beautiful surprise. A pale pink blossom had appeared at the end of a cherry tree branch. He and his grandfather gazed at it with amazement, feeling as if the tree had performed a miracle. It marked the first flower of the tree.

Second time, a woman cutting grass near the hillside accidentally chopped the cherry tree with her scythe. Grandfather saw what happened and scolded the woman, but the damage was done. Rakesh feared the tree would die, but his grandfather wasn’t certain. Luckily, the tree didn’t give up and continued to grow.

One day, a goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves of the cherry tree. Rakesh was very upset by the damage. Only the main stem and a couple of branches remained.
However, his grandfather comforted him, saying cherry trees are tough and would grow again.

Rakesh was overjoyed when he saw that the cherry seed had turned into a small plant. He ran to inform his grandfather and was filled with excitement. He quickly brought water and gave the sapling a gentle sprinkle, taking care not to drown it. He even surrounded it with pebbles for privacy.

Rakesh initially tried to plant the seed in a flowerbed, but his grandfather stopped him as mustard had been sown there. Instead, his grandfather suggested planting it in a shady corner of the garden where it would be undisturbed. Rakesh found a soft patch of earth and pressed the seed into the soil with his thumb.

After eating most of the cherries, Rakesh saved the last seed and rolled it around on his tongue to enjoy the tangy flavor. He then took it out and asked his grandfather whether cherry seeds were lucky. When his grandfather said yes, Rakesh decided to keep it. Grandfather advised him to plant it instead of storing it.

Rakesh went to live with his grandfather in Mussoorie because there were no schools in his village. His parents, who lived fifty miles away, wanted him to get a proper education. Therefore, they sent him to stay with his grandfather so he could go to school.