Hareem and the Secrets of Trees

HAREEM AND THE SECRETS OF TREES

BY:Ubaid

Saleem Farooqi’s daughter, Hareem, was a bright young girl. Both of her parents were working professionals, so most of her childhood was spent at her maternal grandparents’ home, which was conveniently close to her school. She was now in the ninth grade at a nearby school and adored her grandparents, especially her grandfather, who was a well-educated and thoughtful man.

One afternoon, her grandfather noticed that Hareem was sitting quietly in a corner, her face clouded with worry. He folded his newspaper and asked gently,

“My dear Hareem, why are you sitting so silently today? Is something troubling you?”

Hareem hesitated for a moment before replying, “Nana Abu, our teacher explained something about plants today. She asked us to write an essay on the subject, but I can’t find my notes anywhere. Without them, I don’t know what to write.”

Her grandfather smiled warmly and said, “Is that all? Don’t worry. After evening tea, bring your notebook and pen, and I’ll help you understand everything.”

That evening, Hareem sat cross-legged on the floor beside her grandfather, her notebook ready, and asked, “Nana Abu, what exactly are trees and plants? How do they come into being?”

Removing his spectacles and placing the newspaper aside, her grandfather began, “Plants and trees existed long before humans set foot on Earth. According to botanical research, the earliest forms of plants emerged around 600 million years ago, when some simple aquatic plants developed roots and started living on land. About 400 million years ago, plants were no taller than 30 centimeters. Like all living beings, plants are made up of cells. Their cells contain a living substance called protoplasm. Plants grow, breathe, and even prepare their own food.”

Hareem, puzzled, interrupted, “But Nana Abu, how can plants breathe? They don’t have lungs like us!”

Her grandfather chuckled. “That’s an excellent question. The breathing process in plants is very different from animals. Plants breathe through tiny pores in their leaves. Animals and humans inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Plants, on the other hand, absorb carbon dioxide during the day and release oxygen. In this way, both plants and animals depend on one another for survival.”

Hareem’s eyes lit up. “So that’s why we’re always told to plant more trees! The government also keeps reminding us about this—because trees give us clean oxygen.”

Her grandfather nodded. “Exactly. And the oxygen you and I breathe out as carbon dioxide is absorbed back by trees. It’s a perfect cycle designed by nature.”

Still curious, Hareem asked, “But how does a tiny little seed turn into such a big tree? Isn’t that magical?”

Her grandfather raised his finger knowingly. “Indeed, it’s the miracle of God’s creation. A seed, when provided with sufficient water, sunlight, and warmth, begins its life as a plant. Interestingly, seeds often germinate better in darkness. Each seed requires its own specific temperature to sprout—that’s why winter crops and summer crops are different. Vegetables, fruits, and grains follow their seasonal cycles.”

Hareem recalled something her teacher had said. “She once told us that trees also help clean the environment and reduce pollution.”

Her grandfather’s face grew serious. “Yes, and that is a matter of great importance today. Pollution has become a global problem, and much of it is caused by human activity. We cut down forests recklessly for wood and land, and as a result, the oxygen level in the air decreases while carbon dioxide increases. This imbalance affects the entire atmosphere. You see, trees make their food and release oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. This literally means converting sunlight into food. For photosynthesis to occur, four elements are necessary: water, carbon dioxide, sunlight, and a green pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll—or ‘sabzeena’ in our language. Without chlorophyll, the magic cannot happen.”

Hareem clapped her hands in delight. “Wow! But Nana Abu, tell me something unusual about plants—something strange and exciting!”

Her grandfather laughed. “Ah yes, I almost forgot to share the fascinating side of plants. Did you know that plants can sense temperature and react to their environment? Some desert plants store water in their stems and leaves to survive long dry periods. Some plants have an internal system to measure time and seasons. There are plants whose leaves curl up when touched. Others, like the Venus flytrap, actually trap insects and feed on them! Around the world, scientists have identified nearly forty thousand species of trees.”

Wide-eyed, Hareem asked, “Are there any particularly famous or unusual trees in the world?”

Her grandfather leaned back, thinking. “Indeed, there are. In Australia, there is the eucalyptus tree, which grows to a height of 114 meters—equivalent to a 38-story building! In California, there’s a massive tree trunk so wide that a tunnel was carved through it, and a road passes right through. In Arizona, there’s an ancient bristlecone pine tree that is about 4,600 years old. And in Antarctica, lichens have been found that may be nearly ten thousand years old.”

Hareem’s notebook was now filled with notes, her face glowing with excitement. She closed it carefully and said, “Nana Abu, you’ve solved my biggest problem today. I’m sure my teacher will love this essay. Thank you so much!”

Her grandfather smiled warmly, put his spectacles back on, and returned to his newspaper. “Insha’Allah, she will. After all, knowledge is only useful when we share it.”

And with that, Hareem felt ready not only to write her essay but also to appreciate the silent guardians of our planet—the trees.