Prose

Pictures and Texts | A Zuo

Due to some specific reasons, I am destined to have an indissoluble bond with the banyan tree in my life.

1. The banyan tree in the Normal University

I remember one time, in classroom 604 of the Biochemistry Building of the Normal University, you looked out the window at the spring-filled banyan tree and whispered to me: " The banyan tree is sprouting green buds. It’s so beautiful. Can you write a poem?” I just smiled.

Another time, in the corridor on the sixth floor, you also looked at the banyan forest and said to me: "The scenery here has a unique charm. Write a poem." I smiled and said: "I will write No way out."

It is true that looking down from the sixth floor, the green forest between the buildings is indeed beautiful and poetic. However, somehow, every time I see them, my thoughts fly back to my dreaming hometown across thousands of mountains and rivers, to the banyan forest full of myths and innocence.

2. The banyan trees in my hometown

The two big banyan trees in my hometown have thick branches extending out, entwined with each other, and intertwined into a forest. They are green all year round, and the breeze blows, and the green waves are rippling.

This banyan forest is located in my alma mater, Xialiu Primary School, and is also very close to my home. To the east is the majestic Jishan Mountain, nestled against the quaint Jishan Ancient Temple; to the west is the Jishan Reservoir with a dam of thousands of water, and faces Eshan Mountain in the northwest; while to the southwest is a continuous group of The mountains surround the vast wilderness; and to the south is the Yashan Mountain spreading its wings and ready to fly. My home is located under one wing of Yashan, so the Hongxin Village where my home is located is also known as the Treasure Duck Wing.

If "I wish to be a winged bird in heaven and a twig on earth" is used to describe the lingering and loyalty of love, then the two banyan trees in my hometown can be described as a "pair" of natural love. Their branches are dependent on each other, their clusters of leaves are hugging each other, and their roots are intertwined, making them very intimate. The most interesting thing is that they stretch out multiple thick branches at the intersection, intertwining with each other and connecting into one, just like several pairs of connected branches, which is breathtaking.

3. Banyan Tree Qi Ye

The banyan tree in my hometown has a strong vitality and its shape is so magical, so many villagers worship it as Qi Ye.

According to my father, there are no less than 30 people in the vicinity of my hometown who worship the larger banyan tree as the God of Qi, hoping that it will keep them safe. Therefore, during festivals, the head of this banyan tree is always filled with incense and the sound of firecrackers is heard.

I also worship this big banyan tree as the Lord of Qi, so my name is Qi Mu (later pronounced as Ji Mu). Like other Qi people, I have to follow the old man every folk festival. Dad took the abundant sacrifices to worship at the heel of "Master Qi", bowed to it, and asked for its blessing. Every time at this time, I always feel a little annoyed. I always feel that it is incredible for a young person of the new era to worship a tree.

I don’t know why, but as far as I know, everyone who has a tree as their father calls their father brother and mother sister-in-law, as if they were born without a father or a mother. It’s really miserable. Therefore, in the nearly forty years since I was born, I have never been called "Dad, Mom". For this reason, when I was a child, I always couldn't tell what to call my relatives. Every time I went to visit relatives, I had to ask them clearly to avoid being pretentious and making a joke.

4. Planting a banyan tree will shorten your life span

The banyan tree in my hometown is revered as Lord Qi and is said to be a sacred tree. It is really lucky. However, I heard from my grandfather that planting banyan trees will bring bad luck and longevity (with the exception of monks, the two big banyan trees in my hometown were planted by monks from the Jishan Ancient Temple). The specific reasons are not clear to me because my grandfather did not explain it clearly.

I think this must be a superstitious saying that planting banyan trees will shorten your life span. Logically speaking, planting trees and greening, conserving water and soil, benefiting future generations, providing shade for future generations, and accumulating yin virtues should lead to longevity. How can one lose one's lifespan?

Note: This article was first written in 1999.02 and revised in 2016.12

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