The Banyan Tree Summary

Introduction

This chapter is greatly inspired by the conflict between the cobra and the mongoose, a well-known classical Indian drama. In the first section of the story, we witness the narrator discuss a banyan tree present in his garden. The narrator experiences a fantastic sight under this tree, which is in the chapter's second half. As a small boy sitting beneath a banyan tree at his grandparent's home, the author describes seeing a fight between a mongoose and a cobra.

Short Summary

The Banyan Tree is a story written by one of the famous authors, Ruskin Bond. This is the account of what the author witnessed while sitting under an ancient banyan tree at his grandfather's house as a youngster. The narrative portrayed a little boy's experience watching a mongoose and snake fight. The way a child creates his world at his grandparents' house while surrounded by nature is a major theme in the story. The lesson makes use of the child's strong observation skills.

Detailed Analysis

The young narrator resided in a home in Dehradun that had an old Banyan tree in its garden. Because of the tree's size and age, its dangling branches had already established roots in the soil beneath them. Many species of birds and animals lived there. The narrator loved climbing it and it was his favorite feature in the garden. Once, the narrator became friends with a little squirrel. The animal was initially frightened of the person on the top of the tree but subsequently became comfortable with him. The small kid won the animal's trust by being gentle with it and giving it cake and biscuits. The narrator became well acquainted with nature by spending time on the tree. In the spring, many birds congregated on the Banyan tree's branches to consume the red figs, including bulbuls, parrots, mynas, and crows. The tree was a beautiful representation of nature in the life of the narrator.

The child found a kind of platform on the tree and called it his "Banyan Tree Library". He enjoyed climbing to this location to read his favorite books. He also enjoyed just sitting there and gazing down at the ground. Once, while staring at the ground while sitting up there, he saw a fascinating fight between a snake and a mongoose.

During the fight, the cobra attempted to confuse its opponent by shaking its hood in deception. The mongoose, however, was on guard and did not fall for this ruse. Using its cunningness to appear to be traveling in a single direction, the mongoose managed to trick the snake. Afterward, the mongoose changed its course and bit the snake on its back as the cobra struck in that direction.

Immediately, two birds, the crow and the myna who were sitting on the top of the tree, took off towards the hurt serpent but smashed into each other instead. The birds spat bitter curses at one another before returning to their safe locations. The birds again misled the cobra but this time, they weren't lucky enough to get away safely. The birds flew too close to the snake as the mongoose struck a third time. The crow was bitten by the snake and got killed, but myna managed to flee. The snake was too worn out to continue the struggle after the mongoose bit it one last time. The myna fled when the snake was pulling its worn-out and bloody body into the bushes, thankful for its own life. Below the Banyan tree, the mongoose was standing triumphantly after winning the fight.

Theme in the story

The story is about nature, its flow, and the animals that live there, as suggested by the title "The Banyan Tree". This story describes every animal and bird that may flit about a banyan tree, and it effectively captures their interaction with the natural world.Nature and wildlife is an important theme that is at work in the story. How the wildlife interacts with each other is well explained to the audience with the help of the detailing as well as the imagery employed by the author.

Conclusion

The mongoose triumphed despite the cobra being toxic and so dangerous. This demonstrates that one's smartness and stamina enable them to survive in any situation. The story of the cobra and the mongoose is a well-known illustration of how intelligence and knowledge triumph over strength. The crow's demise tells us that intervening in another person's conflict can have devastating results. The story's central idea and takeaway is that a banyan tree is a beautiful natural resource. It dates back to the time of the grandfather of the narrator.

Additionally, the youngster develops a friendship with the squirrel along with some other creatures in the jungle such as a jungle crow, a myna, a mongoose, and a cobra. Another very important lesson that the lesson provides to its readers is that everything is balanced by nature. No one is powerful in the eyes of nature. Even if a cobra is toxic, a mongoose can still kill it.