Meet Daarji & Bebe Part 1 : The Tale Tree.

The  Olde  Banyan 

I am an old gnarled Banyan tree, sitting beside an equally archaic timeworn Water-Well of this once-majestic family Haveli. Together we have seen a lot of history unfold around us and had a glorious unobstructed view all the way up to the river, our friend the ‘Nehar', but then those were the good old days. Sadly, today the development has changed the countryside. The old charming havelis have all but gone and are taken over by ugly cookie-cutter modern houses and shops.

However, some things do remain unchanged, memories the Stories and the storytelling, even though the ways have changed.

“Once upon a time, “ that’s the way the village elders would have always begun, as they started telling their stories sitting under an old tree.

World over this has been a custom in the villages, for as long as all could remember. By day, the people of the village worked hard, farming and tilling the land. By night, they would gather under a big old tree to listen to stories.

Trees…..Many of these ancient trees like me, must have seen and heard these stories for generations. Now, if trees could tell tales would we not have wonderful stories to tell. Each one, only one of it's kind … on religion... traditions….people ….and so on.

Perhaps you could call us, ‘The tale tree’….and trust me, these stories are just waiting to be told. Let me see if I can find Jeetu to be your storyteller... Jeetu ahaa!..sorry, I still think of him as a little boy swinging from my branches… but today Jeetu is an old man and just about everybody calls him Daarji.

You have to hear Daarji tell you stories. Daarji and Bebe are the best, they have seen a lot of the world and between them, they have a wonderful way with stories!

Daarji and Bebe.....Haha haha!....

I remember the day he brought Bebe home, he looked so handsome and she made a radiant and beautiful bride in rose pink. The old Haveli was lit like a jewel and the spirited drumbeats spread the joy. Pretty girls exuberant and vivacious in colourful flowing chunnis swirled to music and beat.   

But then…. That was over 6 decades ago., and each day was a new exciting day.

These days, each day is a routine and begins the same way for Daarji and Bebe. Daarji with his newspapers and Bebe with her chores. Then one day it all changed.

Bebe met the kids!

There through the hedge, I can see the signature red turban of Daarji, sitting by the window leafing through with his newspapers. 
But, then where is Bebe?

Hmmm! Here she comes. And Bebe seems to be in a big hurry...