If you haven't read Part I - Please click here - The Wisdom Gardener Part I
Sendhil got ready for his office and started to walk towards his car. Just before entering his car, he saw Subbu working in the garden.
He went near Subbu and asked, “Started your work already?” “Yes, Sir, I have made a grand plan for the garden. I shall discuss it with you in the evening,” answered Subbu.
“That’s great. So tell me what to intend to do first?” asked Sendhil again. “Well Sir, I intend to remove the weeds first. This is the first thing I always do before getting into the main act,” answered Subbu.
“Mmm, go ahead then, we shall catch up in the evening,” said Sendhil and left for his office. Subbu continued to remove the weeds for a couple of hours and then started to work again on his garden plan. He created a comprehensive plan which included various aspects of gardening like creating manure, water spray system, sun shades and choosing the right plants for the garden. After working on it for more than an hour, he decided to show it to Priya and get her feedback.
Subbu entered the house and realized that the maid was feeding the couple’s kid and Priya was watching television, sitting comfortably in the sofa.
“Good Morning Madam “greeted Subbu. Priya turned back and saw Subbu standing behind him with a piece of paper. She immediately responded, “Can you wait for five minutes? Let this serial finish first.” Realizing that Priya immersed into the Television, Subbu stood still not saying a word. Ignoring Subbu, Priya continued to watch the serial in which the hero surprises his wife with a special gift on their anniversary in a moving train.
Priya got emotionally bonded with the wife’s character and smiled whenever she smiled and cried whenever she cried. By the time the serial got over, Priya realized that she was totally in a different world all this while. She smiled at Subbu, indicating her sorry and asked him to take a seat.
“It is alright Madam. I prefer to stand.” said Subbu in a humble voice and asked, “Are you on leave today?”
“No, I was too tired today, and I preferred to work from home, and my office accepted it,” answered Priya.
“Good for you Madam. I came to show My Garden plan to you. Just in case, if you needed any change in it, I shall incorporate it.” said Subbu.
Priya took the paper from Subbu and opened to see it. Just when she started to read the plan, a movie trailer of a forthcoming film was shown on the television. This took away Priyas concentration from the plan to the trailer.
After watching the trailer, Priya said to Subbu, “I want to watch this movie. I am a big fan of Vikas.”
Subbu smiled and did not reply a word. “What happened? You don’t like him?” asked Priya, surprised by Subbu’s silence. “Not at all Madam, I am also a big fan of him. I am a big fan of his character than his movies,” said Subbu.
“What do you know about his character?” asked Priya again surprised with Subbu’s statement. “Pretty Much Madam, I had worked as a servant for him for more than a year” smiled Subbu. “Are you serious? Then why did you leave that job?” asked Priya unable to control her excitement.
“Well Madam, I was working for him three years ago when he was at the bottom of his career. All his four movies flopped continuously, and he was also down financially and was unable to pay his debts."
"He was unable to pay my salary as well, and he requested me to leave the job. I wanted to work with no pay, but he refused to oblige. So I had to leave the job and search for alternatives” explained Subbu.
“Are you serious? Did he pass through that much trouble? I knew he had a shaky career initially, but I couldn’t imagine this much could have happened to him” said Priya.
“Believe me, Madam, even his wife left him during this phase, and this had hurt him very badly” “Oh really, Are they divorced?”
“No Madam. They are together now.”
“How come Vikas can accept her now?” Priya was keen.
“I believe it is because of the love he had for his wife. When his wife left him, I was there with him. I saw him crying for the whole day. When I tried to console him, he said something to me which I could never forget” said Subbu.
“What did he say?” “He said,” I know she had disappointed me, but my love for her is real. This feeling of pain and hurt doesn’t deter my love for her, and it will never also.”
“Can there be such a love?” asked Priya in amazement. “Madam, like what Vikas said, I also believe true love is unconditional.” “Then what about his wife, how can she get back to him after disappointing him that badly,” asked Priya.
“Well Madam, like I said before he believes in his love and never tries to judge others.” “Good to listen to that. Thank God he has succeeded now; otherwise, his life could be still terrible.”
“Very true, but I still think he would not have taken this success to his head. He very well knows that people will always try to find some reason whether for his success or failure, but only his perseverant honest attitude will keep him going,” said Subbu.
“You seem to know more about Vikas, and you sound intelligent too. I think you are in a wrong job” said Priya smilingly. Subbu smiled back and said, “I believe time and experience makes one intelligent Madam. I am sure you must be intelligent in your way as well.”
“I can only wish for that. All I am good at is reading other people’s life and their lifestyle. Except for what you had said about Vikas, I know a lot more about his present-day life.” said Priya.
“That’s a good thing, Madam. Maybe someone’s life can inspire you to do something good.” Subbu replied.
“It can be good only in theory, but in reality, there are far more practical difficulties to face.” “Well Madam, in that case, you must be selective in taking the inspiration.” smiled Subbu.
“I will try to do that” Priya smiled back and continued, “ You know what I try to take inspiration even from the movies and the serials I see, but somehow or the other I end up losing it in no time.”
“That’s because you are more into the characters than the concept. Sometimes I wonder that we are no different from a schizophrenic person who lives in his illusion. We too by way of movies and television are living in some person’s illusion accepting the drama and the characters as real. In fact, we understand those characters better than our own people. This is how the present-day entertainment media had engulfed our time and temperament.” said Subbu.
“You surprise me every time with your insights. I simply cannot refuse any of your thoughts. These actors consume our time and still make millions out of it.” said Priya.
Subbu smiled, “Madam, I am not saying it’s not important, but what I am trying to say is that there are more important things in life before that. Since you raised the money part, I remember what Vikas told me one day that when someone begins to see the money a player gets for his game, he loses out the fun of watching the match.”
Priya sat still trying to comprehend all that she had heard in this little period and was wondering if she was attending a special lecture by her Gardener. She slowly went through the Garden plan and was impressed by the efforts Subbu had put on it. The Gardening Sendhil returned home tired from the office in the evening. Before entering the house, he glanced at the garden, and there was a huge set of plants kept to get planted. He saw Subbu digging holes at various locations in the garden.
“This is huge Subbu. Do you think all these plants can manage to survive here? You must have started with a little, to begin with” said Sendhil.
“Sir, I would have tried it if I was given more time, but since I have one three months, I took the risk of getting all of it at the same time. I also have the vegetable seeds to be planted at the backyard,” explained Subbu.
“Ok, how do you manage to buy all of these? Did you spend your money?” “No, Sir. Madam had given me the money. She liked the plan, and she wanted me to start executing it today.”
“So finally I am out of the equation, is it not?” said Sendhil annoyed by Priya’s interference. “Why do you say so, Sir? All these plants will get planted by you and Madam only. I will take care of the rest of the work.” said Subbu.
“Mmm, let me freshen up and relax for some time. I shall join you in an hour.” Sendhil reciprocated.
“Sir, you just freshen up Sir, the plants will take care of the relaxing part.” Smiled Subbu.
“As you say Mr Wisdom gardener. “Sendhil smiled back and left.
After half an hour, both Sendhil and Priya stepped out of the house to join Subbu. Subbu realized that both were not talking to each other and were rather uncomfortable to work together.
Subbu started explaining about the plants which he had kept for planting and their significance. His plan included flowering plants, decorative plants, vegetable plants and also some samplings which will grow into big beautiful trees.
Subbu allotted plants to Sendhil and Priya for them to start their work. Subbu was supporting them by providing water, manure and also extra soil for planting the samplings.
Both Sendhil and Priya began their work in excitement; however, over time, they got tired. It took them more than three hours for them to complete the job. Both Sendhil and Priya sat down tired in the garden and consumed the water offered to them by Subbu. Priya noticed a single plant kept unplanted in the middle of the garden.
“What plant is that and why didn’t you plant it ?” She asked Subbu. “This is the special plant which I had kept for the last. I want both of you to plant it together.” Subbu replied.
“Why can’t a single person do it?” asked Sendhil showing his annoyance over Subbu’s request.
“Sir, this plant I call it “the Blue Moonflower plant” and it blooms only during the full moon day and that too in the middle of the night. The flower remains alive for a few hours and dies out when the day dawns. I usually plant it utilizing the help of a happy couple every time, and this time I wanted you two to help me plant it.” said Subbu.
“But you mentioned a happy couple, and I don’t find any here,” said Priya trying to direct it at Sendhil.
“Then you will become one soon,” said Subbu trying to close the conversation. “Subbu, you better stop this counselling and plant it yourself,” Sendhil said in an annoying voice and left the garden immediately.
Subbu was disappointed and kept looking at the plant. Priya felt sad for Subbu and volunteered to plant it by herself. Subbu had no other choice but to allow Priya to finish the work. Priya planted the Blue moon plant at the centre of the garden which was equally surrounded by the rose plants and white lily.
That night everyone went to sleep early as they were tired after a good day’s work. However, Sendhil glued himself to his computer till late in the night. Realizing that everyone had gone to sleep, he walked out into the garden and looked at the Blue Moon Flower Plant. He watered it slowly in the full moonlight. The Gardening activity Once the plants have found their place in the garden and the seeds in the soil, Subbu started to get himself involved in the gardening activity. He started adding more collections to the filling garden and kept visualizing the final garden image in his mind.
Sendhil volunteered to provide his computer speakers to the garden, and the plants had the luxury of listening to soothing music every morning and night. Priya assisted Subbu in the mornings and Sendhil in the evening. The garden started to take shape. The birds became the regular visitors to the garden, and so did the milkman.
Subbu created a special place for making natural manure using the daily wastes and started to utilize it in his gardening activity. He also began to develop lawn in the leftover areas of the garden. The garden started to become the place of solace for both Sendhil and Priya. They started visiting Subbu in his tent and discussed a lot of things as it comforted them.
By the end of the first month, small buds began to peak out from the roses and lilies. Little tomatoes, brinjals, beans, chillies started to add beauty to the garden.
One morning Priya woke up very early and decided to take a walk around the garden when she realized Subbu was already awake and he was speaking to the plants individually with soothing music on the background.
Priya kept looking at Subbu and was amazed by the love he had for the plants.
Unable to control herself, she went closer to Subbu and slowly asked, “Subbu how come you love the plants so much? What do you get in return from them?”
Subbu smiled at Priya and answered, “Madam my love for them is nothing. They, in turn, love not only me but everyone without any expectations.”
“How do they love back?” asked Priya keenly looking forward to Subbu’s answer. “By giving us all they have Madam,” said Subbu lowering the volume of the music.
Understanding what Subbu meant, Priya tried to divert the topic of discussion and asked Subbu “So what were you talking to them this early morning?”
“Madam, I was praising each one of them as they have survived this day to bring cheers to others lives” answered Subbu.
“Subbu, do you think this helps them anyway? I am sorry to be sceptical here, but sometimes I feel it to be really silly.”
“Madam, do you accept that plants are living creatures?” asked Subbu. “Sure, I do accept that” answered Priya.
“Then do you accept that they can hear too?” “Well, I have read somewhere that music enables plants growth. So in that sense, I do accept that they can listen,” answered Priya again.
“Then you must also accept that praising plants from the bottom of the heart will also help them,” said Subbu.
“Well, in that case, you can even get their ego bigger too “ridiculed Priya. “I am sorry to hear that from you, Madam. It is always an appreciation for others that can help them grow bigger in life. It is the same principle for plants as well.” said Subbu in a serious voice.
“How can you justify it?” asked Priya, not trying to accept the statement easily.
“Well, Madam, if anyone appreciates you for your work, won't you get inspired?” asked Subbu.
“Yah I do. But what about a person who doesn’t like to be appreciated?” asked Priya trying to make a point.
“You show me that person Madam, and I will prove you wrong. Man loves to be appreciated, and he needs to be appreciated as well. This is the first step towards his upliftment. Appreciation doesn’t end in the office; it is needed more in one’s family than in his office” said Subbu in a stern voice.
“Mmm, so praising one does all the magic. Isn’t it?” asked Priya acknowledging Subbu’s statement.
“Praising for the right reason Madam and if that reason helps him, gratitude must follow it,” said Subbu.
“Like how?” asked Priya.
“Well, once I receive the goodness from my plants, I shall thank them like the same way I appreciated them before.”
Priya remained silent for a while and started watering the plants thinking more about what Subbu had said.
***
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