जंगलजातकम

Summary

The story is set in a forest in an area called 'S', which is described as long and wide but not frightening. The forest is home to many trees, including mango, mahua, babool, neem, sheesham, semal, palash, chilbil, banyan, and bamboo. The trees live in harmony, with no quarrels, and they support each other. One day, the sky turns black, and a group of iron axes, led by a fat man on a horse and a human pulling the horse, enters the forest. They set up camp near a pond and celebrate. The trees, alarmed, approach the old banyan tree, whom they call 'Aarya', for guidance. Aarya identifies the human holding the reins but is uncertain about the man on the horse. The trees offer to welcome the visitors, but Aarya refuses, telling them to leave. The man on the horse, called 'Ghamoch', declares they are there to destroy the forest to build mills, factories, and coal mines for humans. An axe attacks a tree but is knocked unconscious. The trees confront Ghamoch, questioning if he is truly human, as humans have always sought help from trees, not threatened them. Ghamoch becomes angry. A bamboo named 'Harwans' shows deference to the human, causing tension among the trees. Aarya intervenes, ordering the visitors to leave by night. The trees return to their places, but Aarya remains worried, especially about the human who knows the trees' weaknesses. He instructs the wind to keep watch, particularly over the bamboo village of Padunagram. A messenger reports that the human is persuading the bamboos to join them, offering them homes and mobility. Harwans is listening. Upon hearing this, Aarya faints but recovers, weeping and reciting a verse about the greatness of humans and iron.