There was a big mango tree in the orchard, with big fruits and numerous branches. It was a strong tree, spreading a huge shadow also. A little boy always used to come and play around it every day. He climbed up to the top, plucked the mangoes, and looked around from the top branch. The tree loved the boy very much and expected the boy's arrival every day. Time went on. The little boy, one day, came to the tree and quietly sat under it. As he didn't play, the tree was so concerned and asked him the reason. The boy said, "Oh my dear tree! I cannot play the same games now as I grew up. I want to have the toys to play with, as I find it very interesting — but I don't have money. So I am very sad." The tree immediately told him, "Oh, my little boy! I too don't have the money to pay for the toys. But I can suggest you something. Pluck the mango fruits and sell them in the market; I am sure, you will get enough money to buy the toys to play with." The boy was happy and he did so; he could buy as many toys as he could. He enjoyed playing with the toys, and he didn't visit the tree for some time indeed. ** One day, the grown-up boy, who now turned to be a handsome youth, came to the tree. The mango tree was so much excited upon his visit, and asked him to rest and relax in the shadow for a while. The young man looked absolutely worried. "Oh, my dear tree — no time to rest and relax now. I have to work for my family, as I need a home for my shelter with more comforts. I don't have enough money to meet up my requirement. Don't know what to do!" The mango tree suggested, "My dear young man! When I am here, why do you worry? I have numerous strong branches, and you can chop off my branches and sell them to the timber merchants. You will get good money, and your worries would soon vanish, as you could build a sweet home out of that proceeds. Hurry up, and chop off my branches!" The young man, without any hesitation, chopped off the heavy branches and made his way to the timber shops. He could build a beautiful home with that money, and enjoyed his life. Soon he got married, and the children were born; there were celebrations and parties that could bring his friends home, who were happy to spend their time very often. But the friends and relatives passed their comments — "The house is well built; the furniture and fittings are so selective. The garden is very pleasant. But the ambience is not good as there is a mango tree which has no branches and looks very useless and odd. If you remove the tree, the entire place would look like heaven — so do something about it!" That's the end of their conversation. The young man's wife immediately asked him to get rid of the tree. The young man didn't have a heart to do so — but his wife went on insisting him. He told her that he would remove the tree the very next day. * Alas! What happened? That night it was raining heavily and there was a strong wind blowing, which could blow the objects far and far away. Next day morning, the rain was over and the young man wanted to cut down the tree, as his wife started pestering him. When he came outside, he saw the poor mango tree — fallen down due to the heavy rainfall, and roots came out from the ground. Completely devastated! The young man could not control his tears. It was the tree wherein he could find his companion; it was the tree that helped him at times of need. Now his conscience pricked him, as he didn't take care of the beloved mango tree but made up his mind to cut it down. Had the mango tree survived, it could have pacified him not to cry. * Hmm! Actually, this is the story of every one. The mango tree is supposed to be our parents — who took care, nurtured, and gave us the best of everything! When we were young, we used to play with them, used them to fulfil our desires; as we grew older, we slowly neglect them stage by stage. Like this mango tree, the parents had shown their unconditional love until their last breath — and at times they were going beyond their limits to make their children happy. This story reveals the moral that everyone should take care of their parents before it's too late. This story was narrated by my father.* — Banooravi