- Author: Ruskin Bond — a much-loved Indian writer in English, famous for gentle stories set in the hills of Mussoorie and the Himalayas.
- Type / genre: A prose short story (not a poem). It is the chapter for Unit 4 — ‘Environment’ in the Class 8 textbook Poorvi.
- Main characters: Rakesh — a curious, caring six-year-old boy who plants and nurtures the tree; his Grandfather (Dada) — a wise, kind old man who guides him.
- Setting: A little cottage on the outskirts of Mussoorie in the Himalayan foothills, where the forest of oak and deodar begins.
- Central theme: Patience, nurturing care and the toughness of nature — a tiny cherry seed, looked after with love and patience, grows into a tall, blossoming tree, and Rakesh grows up alongside it.
- Board weightage: ~5 marks — usually extract-based MCQs plus a short and a long/value-based answer on theme, characters and the human–nature bond.
1. About the author & the text
‘The Cherry Tree’ is written by Ruskin Bond, one of India’s most popular writers in English. He has lived for many years in Mussoorie, a hill town in the lower Himalayas, and most of his warm, simple stories grow out of the life, people, plants and animals of these hills. His writing is famous for its quiet love of nature and its gentle, hopeful tone.
This story is placed in Unit 4, ‘Environment’, of Poorvi because it shows the deep, loving connection between human beings and the natural world. Through a single cherry seed planted by a small boy, Ruskin Bond teaches us about patience, care and the resilience (toughness) of nature. The story is told in simple prose and moves gently over three years, watching both a tree and a boy grow up together.
2. Summary — Part 1: The cherry, the seed and grandfather's advice
One day, when Rakesh was six, he walked home from the Mussoorie bazaar eating cherries — small, bright red cherries that were “a little sweet, a little sour” and had come from the Kashmir Valley. In these Himalayan foothills there were not many fruit trees, because “the soil was stony, and the dry cold winds stunted the growth of most plants”; only the sheltered slopes had forests of oak and deodar.
Rakesh lived with his grandfather on the outskirts of Mussoorie. His parents lived in a village fifty miles away, growing maize, rice and barley on narrow terraced fields, but there were no schools in the village, so they had sent Rakesh to stay with grandfather and go to school. By the time Rakesh reached the cottage, only three cherries were left. He shared them: grandfather ate one, Rakesh ate two, and rolled the last seed in his mouth until all the ‘tang’ had gone. When Rakesh asked if cherry seeds were lucky, grandfather said the famous words: “Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.” So Rakesh planted the seed in a soft, shady corner of the garden, then ran off to play cricket and forgot all about it.
3. Summary — Part 2: The seed comes up and survives danger
Winter passed, with a cold wind going “whoo-whoo-whoo” in the deodars, while grandfather told stories by the charcoal fire and Rakesh read him the newspaper. When spring came and the wild ducks flew north to Siberia, Rakesh one morning bent to pick up what he thought was a small twig — and found it was well rooted. He ran shouting, “Dada, come and look, the cherry tree has come up!” The seed they had planted the year before had sprouted; the tiny tree was about four inches high. Grandfather told him to water it, and Rakesh watered it, circled it with pebbles ‘for privacy’, and watched it grow an inch.
That year the monsoon came early and the tree grew quickly. But trouble came too: when it was about two feet high, a goat entered the garden and ate all the leaves, leaving only the main stem and two thin branches. Rakesh was upset, but grandfather comforted him with words that hold the heart of the story: “Never mind… It will grow again, cherry trees are tough.”
4. Summary — Part 3: Cut in two, yet it refuses to die
The tree did grow new leaves — and then faced its worst danger. A woman cutting grass on the hillside swung her scythe carelessly through the monsoon foliage and the cherry tree was cut in two. Grandfather scolded her, but the damage was done. “Maybe it will die now,” said Rakesh. “Maybe,” said grandfather. But the cherry tree had no intention of dying. By the next summer it had sent out several new shoots with tender green leaves.
Rakesh was growing too. He was now eight — a sturdy boy with curly black hair and deep black ‘blackberry eyes’, as grandfather called them. He went to his village that monsoon to help with the planting and ploughing, and came back thinner but stronger, to find the tree had grown another foot, now up to his chest. He watered it even in the rain, “so it would know that he was there”. The tree had its first visitors — a bright green praying-mantis, which Rakesh let stay, and a hairy caterpillar eating the leaves, which he removed gently, saying, “Come back when you’re a butterfly.”
5. Summary — Part 4: Blossoms, cherries and "Is this what it feels to be God?"
Winter came early and the tree bent low under the weight of snow; no newspaper reached the cottage and grandfather grew grumpy, his stories getting unhappy endings. In February, on Rakesh’s ninth birthday, the tree was four years old and almost as tall as Rakesh. One sunny morning grandfather called out in wonder — there was a pale pink blossom at the end of a branch. The next year there were more blossoms, bees came for the nectar, and bulbuls and scarlet minivets flitted in to feast.
That summer the tree bore small cherries; Rakesh tasted one and spat it out because it was too sour, but grandfather promised, “They’ll be better next year.” Soon the tree grew taller than Rakesh and even taller than grandfather. One evening, sitting under the tree, Rakesh asked why this one tree was so special. Grandfather replied, “We planted it ourselves. That’s why it’s special.” Touching its smooth bark, Rakesh whispered the story’s last, thoughtful line: “Just one small seed… I wonder… Is this what it feels to be God?” — feeling the deep joy and wonder of having created and nurtured a living thing.
6. Significance of the title
The title ‘The Cherry Tree’ is perfectly chosen because the entire story is the life-story of one cherry tree — from a single seed kept in Rakesh’s mouth to a tall tree that blossoms and bears fruit. The tree is almost a living character: it ‘has no intention of dying’, survives a goat, a scythe and snow, and grows alongside the boy.
The title also points to the theme of nurturing and patience. The tree stands for the reward of loving care over time, and for the close bond between Rakesh, grandfather and nature. As both the boy and the tree grow up together, the title quietly reminds us that the smallest seed, given time and love, can become something tall and beautiful.
7. Themes
- Patience and nurturing care: A tiny seed becomes a tall, fruit-bearing tree only because Rakesh waters it, protects it and waits patiently for years. Good things take time and tending.
- The resilience (toughness) of nature: Eaten by a goat, cut in two by a scythe and bent low by snow, the cherry tree still refuses to die — “cherry trees are tough.” Nature has a powerful will to survive and renew itself.
- The human–nature bond: Rakesh and grandfather love this tree because they planted it themselves. Caring for nature gives joy, wonder and a sense of belonging.
- Growing up together: The story gently runs the tree’s growth alongside Rakesh’s — from six to nine years old — so the tree becomes a symbol of his own development.
- Luck through effort: Grandfather’s belief that “if you want luck, you must put it to some use” shows that good fortune comes from action and effort, not from idle hope.
8. Character sketches
Rakesh — A curious, gentle and caring boy of six (nine by the end). He is obedient and respectful, planting the seed because grandfather advises it. He is patient and observant — he watches the tree grow inch by inch, waters it even in rain, and welcomes the praying-mantis while gently removing the caterpillar. He is also sturdy and hard-working, helping his parents in the fields. By the end he shows deep wonder and sensitivity, marvelling that one small seed has become a whole tree.
Grandfather (Dada) — A wise, patient and kind old man with weak eyesight. He is a wonderful storyteller and gives Rakesh thoughtful, philosophical advice: “If you want luck, you must put it to some use.” He is encouraging and reassuring — he calms Rakesh after the goat and the scythe with “cherry trees are tough.” He shares Rakesh’s joy and wonder at every blossom, and treasures the tree because they planted it together. He represents experience, hope and love of nature.
9. Message & values
- Patience pays off: Big results grow slowly from small beginnings. We must be patient and keep nurturing what we care about.
- Care for nature: Planting and protecting even one tree brings joy and improves the environment — a fitting lesson for the ‘Environment’ unit.
- Effort over luck: Good fortune comes to those who act. A seed kept ‘for luck’ is useless; a seed planted brings a tree.
- Resilience: Like the cherry tree, we should not give up after setbacks — we can grow again and become stronger.
- Bonding across generations: The warm, respectful bond between Rakesh and grandfather shows how love and shared work tie a family — and people to nature — together.
10. Literary devices & narrative technique
- Personification (main device): The tree is given human will — “the cherry tree had no intention of dying”; the leaves are “always ready to dance”.
- Imagery: Vivid pictures of the hills — cherries “a little sweet, a little sour”, the cold wind going “whoo-whoo-whoo”, “a pale pink blossom”, mountains “striding away into the clouds”.
- Symbolism: The growing tree symbolises Rakesh’s own growth and the rewards of patient care.
- Onomatopoeia: “whoo-whoo-whoo” for the sound of the wind in the deodars.
- Dialogue: Short, natural conversations between Rakesh and grandfather carry the warmth and wisdom of the story.
- Third-person narrative: Told gently by an outside narrator, following the tree and the boy over three years.
11. Word meanings (glossary)
- Stunted — stopped (from growing to the usual size).
- Outskirts — the areas that form the edge of a town or city.
- Tang — a strong, sharp taste.
- Yielding — giving way under pressure; soft.
- Haunches — to sit on the feet with the legs bent.
- Peered down — looked carefully or with difficulty.
- Plodded — walked slowly and with effort.
- Scrambled — moved quickly and with difficulty.
- Scythe — a tool with a long, sharp, curved blade and a long handle, used for cutting grass.
- Foliage — green leaves of a plant or tree.
- Praying-mantis — an insect that holds its front legs as if praying.
- Grumpy — bad-tempered.
- Gazed — looked at something for a long time with admiration.
- Flitted — flew quickly and lightly.
- Reclining — lying back; resting.
- Nightjar — a kind of bird active at night.
- Cicadas — insects known for their loud, distinctive calls, especially in the evenings.
- Terraced fields — flat steps cut into a hill-slope for farming.
Grandfather believed that luck comes only with effort and action. He told Rakesh, “Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.” A seed simply kept in a pocket can do nothing; but a seed planted can grow into a tree. So he advised Rakesh to plant the cherry seed instead of saving it.
Yes, the cherry tree would survive. It had already overcome many dangers — a goat ate all its leaves and a woman’s scythe cut it in two, yet each time it sent out fresh shoots. As grandfather rightly said, “cherry trees are tough”, and the tree itself seemed to have a strong will to live (“no intention of dying”). Its proven resilience shows it would survive.
It suggests that Rakesh was relaxed and enjoying the taste and the moment. He was in no hurry; he rolled the seed round and round on his tongue until all the tang had gone, showing a playful, contented and thoughtful mood.
It shows that he respects and values his grandfather’s advice and has a close, loving bond with him with a willingness to learn from him. Instead of keeping the seed idle, he immediately acts on grandfather’s wise words.
Rakesh’s parents lived in a small village fifty miles away, where they grew maize, rice and barley, but there were no schools in the village. They were keen that Rakesh should get a proper education, so they sent him to stay with his grandfather in Mussoorie, where he could go to school.
Rakesh let the bright green praying-mantis stay because it was harmless and was not damaging the tree — unlike the caterpillar that was eating the leaves. He even welcomed it as “the cherry tree’s first visitor”, which shows his gentle, caring attitude and his growing love for the little tree and its world.
Life in the Himalayan foothills is shown as hard for plants but rich in nature. The soil is stony and “the dry cold winds stunted the growth of most plants”, so there are few fruit trees; yet the sheltered slopes have forests of oak and deodar. The seasons are strong — cold winters with snow, early monsoons, ferns and lilies, wild ducks flying to Siberia, and the evening calls of nightjars and cicadas.
By this line Rakesh expresses the deep joy, wonder and pride of having created and nurtured a living thing. From just one small seed, his care has helped a tall, beautiful tree to grow. He feels close to the power of creation itself — the awe of giving and supporting life — which is why he wonders if this is what it feels like to be God.
Their relationship is shown as warm, affectionate and full of mutual respect. They sit together by the fire; grandfather tells Rakesh stories and Rakesh reads him the newspaper. Grandfather guides him with patient, wise advice, and they share the same wonder and joy in watching the cherry tree grow. It is a loving bond between two generations.
The story shows that the connection between humans and nature is emotional, nurturing and deeply meaningful. When Rakesh and grandfather care for the tree, nature responds with growth, blossoms and fruit. Caring for a single plant brings them joy, wonder and a sense of belonging, teaching us that protecting nature also enriches our own lives.
A goat ate all its leaves, leaving only the stem, and later a woman’s scythe cut it in two. Each time the tree grew new shoots. This shows nature’s toughness and will to survive — “cherry trees are tough.”
When grandfather asked what the pebbles were for, Rakesh answered, “For privacy.” The ring of pebbles marked and protected the little tree, showing his loving, almost protective care for it as if it were a precious friend.
When winter came early, snow blocked the road from the valley, so no newspaper reached the cottage for several days. Grandfather loved all the news, and being cut off from it made him bad-tempered — even his stories began to have unhappy endings.
Ruskin Bond gently runs the tree’s growth and Rakesh’s growth side by side, so the tree becomes a mirror of the boy. When Rakesh is six, he plants a tiny seed; the next spring it is a four-inch sprout. As Rakesh turns eight and goes home to work in the fields, returning “thinner but stronger”, the tree too grows another foot, up to his chest. On his ninth birthday the four-year-old tree is almost as tall as him. Finally the tree grows taller than Rakesh and even taller than grandfather, just as Rakesh becomes a sturdy boy who can run, jump and climb. The blossoming tree thus symbolises Rakesh’s own healthy growth, patience and connection with nature.
The story teaches the priceless values of patience, care and respect for nature. Rakesh does not see his tree grow overnight; it grows inch by inch over three years, surviving a goat, a scythe and heavy snow. By watering it faithfully — even in the rain — and protecting it, he learns that real rewards come slowly to those who wait and keep caring. The story also belongs to the ‘Environment’ unit because it shows the joy of planting and nurturing even one tree, and how nature repays care with blossoms, fruit, birds and bees. These values are vital today, reminding us to be patient, to plant trees, and to treasure and protect the natural world around us.
“‘Are cherry seeds lucky?’ asked Rakesh. ‘Of course.’ ‘Then I’ll keep it.’ ‘Nothing is lucky if you put it away. If you want luck, you must put it to some use.’”
(i) Who is speaking the last sentence, and to whom? — Grandfather is speaking to Rakesh.
(ii) What ‘use’ does grandfather mean for the seed? — He means that Rakesh should plant the seed so that it can grow.
(iii) What does grandfather’s advice tell us about his view of luck? — He believes luck comes only with effort and action, not from keeping something idle.
(iv) What did Rakesh finally do with the seed? — He planted it in a soft, shady corner of the garden.
- Four
- Six
- Eight
- Nine
- In the Kashmir Valley
- In a village fifty miles away
- On the outskirts of Mussoorie
- In the city of Delhi
- There were no schools in their village
- They could not feed him
- Grandfather was unwell
- He wanted to grow cherries
- Keep it safely in a box
- Sell it in the bazaar
- If you want luck, you must put it to some use
- Throw it away
- About four inches
- About two feet
- As tall as Rakesh
- One inch
- Decoration
- Privacy
- Water
- To keep goats away
- A cow
- A goat
- A deer
- A monkey
- By a strong wind
- By Grandfather’s axe
- By a woman’s scythe while cutting grass
- By the weight of snow
- “Cherry trees are tough.”
- “No one dies of hunger.”
- “What faith!”
- “Don’t drown it!”
- Ate them happily
- Spat one out because it was too sour
- Gave them to the birds
- Sold them in the bazaar
- “Go away forever.”
- “Come back when you’re a butterfly.”
- “Eat the grass instead.”
- “You are the first visitor.”
- It was the tallest in the forest
- It gave the sweetest cherries
- Because they had planted it themselves
- It belonged to his father
- Grew rapidly
- Stopped from growing to the usual size
- Spread widely
- Bent down
- Simile
- Personification
- Metaphor
- Alliteration
Trace the journey of the cherry tree from a single seed to a tall, fruit-bearing tree. What dangers did it survive, and what does its survival teach us?
“If you want luck, you must put it to some use.” Explain Grandfather’s view of luck and how it shapes the events of the story.
What values about patience, care and the environment do we learn from ‘The Cherry Tree’? Why are these important today?
What did Rakesh mean by asking, “Is this what it feels to be God?” at the end of the story?
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