Trees Tell Ancient Tales...

Doctors are scarce in the hills. So he was pre occupied always. But winter was advancing fast and in those years, pre independence, 1933, there was many trees and wildlife.

Dr. James Lambert had an early dinner and was savouring the idea of the warmth of his bed, with hot water bottles.

But plans gets disrupted, especially for the doctor. An unshaven shivering man knocked and asked permission to see the doctor, from his orderly.

Dr. Lambert was half in his mind to make some excuse, for he was not in the mood of facing the bitter chill and snow flakes, which had started.

" What has happened?"

Doctor saheb, my son is down with malaria and I do not have medicine. It could kill him, for he is badly indisposed."

Malaria was a big killer in those days and with immense will, Dr. Lambert accepted to go. He asked him his address, and since there was limited habitation around, he knew he would locate it.

Bracing the strong chilly wind on his face, he made his way slowly down the road. It was totally empty, as all were in their homes, by the fireside.

For a moment, he forgot his own agony when he saw a young girl in the middle of the street.

" What is a pretty girl like you doing, on a night like this?"

She was wearing a dress , a Kashmere sweater, insufficient for the winter in the hills. She looked at him, with a smile and said " Nothing...just wanted to feel the fresh air."

The jungle awakens at night and all sorts of sounds unnerved the doctor, in the empty road.

" Listen girl, I have half a mind to catch you and take you to your parents". He said in a reprimanding voice. But oblivious was she, prancing and swirling about in an eerie way.

He was getting irritated, both by the obstinate attitude of the girl and the call to a patient at this hour.

" You come with me...you are not safe here. I shall see that you go home when I finish my check up. And what is your name, you naughty girl?"

She again looked deep in his eyes, with an enigmatic smile.

" Anne..Anne Smith."

After that, the doctors started walking fast to get the patient checked up. But it was getting colder and seeing the girl, he took off his long coat reluctantly and draped it around her. He had a thick tweed blazer underneath. Besides a doctor, he was a sensitive person too.

He saw the patient while Anne waited quietly, gave him the medicines and in the hills , if you are unable to pay, something from the land will come to your doorstep.

On way back, holding the little Anne's hand, he saw a grocery store still open. No child can deny a candy, even he cannot, at this age.

She beamed and took it from him.

Then she suddenly said"I can go from here. My house is very near. At Lans'downe".

To which the doctor was apprehensive but nodded.

" Be careful Anne and shall come around and take the coat tomorrow".

She looked at him with a strange face but smiled.

Next day, when sun barely removed the fog, Dr. Lambert we went to Lans'downe. To his immense surprise, there was hardly any inhabitants there. A house in ruins stood forlorn.He waited till an old man came the way. He asked him " There was this girl, Anne Smith. She said she lived here. Do you have any idea.".

To which the man gave a surprised look and said " There was a family by the name of Smith's here but their daughter named Anne died of tuberculosis.But she can't be her."

The doctor said nothing, turned around and walked into the ruins. One of the smaller rooms held dusty yet nostalgic toys.

In one corner, he saw his coat, neatly folded up.

He knew hills held strange secrets.

Walking by the graveyard, he saw a grave, Anne Smith, 1906-1921. It was the only grave not ravaged by the seasons and intense winter.

Trees tell ancient tales.