User:Nihal Goel

Why does one need plants anyway?

Why does one need plants anyway? They are just there, always sitting in the same location in space. A constant observer of never changing scenery. If they are lucky they get to see you grow older. Of you passing through different branches of life. Some more yellow and dull than the others. They are aware of all your achievements and all your sins, though they will never spill the beans on you.

They can't even take care of themselves. They need constant watering, pruning and fertilisation. Their soil needs changing all the time. They don't complain when you forget to water them. They bow down, hoping you realise that they still respect you. And eventually they put on makeup, shades of brown and yellow, in preparation to announce their departure.

Why are they so respectful to begin with, if only they could scream for your attention and tell you clearly when they need water. Or even better, if they could fetch their own and not be dependent on you at all.

There are only so many hours in a day and so much to be achieved. There is not much room to take care of yourself let alone take care of these constant observers. You have so many of them anyways, does it really matter if a few of them don't last long. It only costs a little bit to purchase them from a shop. You can even get them for free if you are willing to go outside and pick them up from a garden, or a forest, or steal them from your neighbour's yard.

You got them because their presence comforts you. Maybe you read online about how they help purify the air around you and elevate your mood. Its not like you want them to die. You were just not prepared for the amount of care and attention they need. And what if you fall sick? wouldn't that make it so much harder for both of you?

The departure arrives. You've had them for over 5 years. They were only a seed about 1 cm in length when you first got them. Look at them now, over a meter tall and green and soft in all their glory. Departures are never easy. You didn't think this day would come. Maybe its not too late. All that is needed is knowledge. Knowledge on how to pour life back into them. Maybe you can learn how often you need to water them, how much sunlight they need and how much temperature and humidity they are comfortable in. You've had them for far too long to let them go so easily. So you have to do everything in your power.

You wonder how you got here? maybe they were blending in with your yellow/green walls too much, perfectly camouflaged, preventing their voice to reach you. Maybe your eyes never looked in that direction to begin with, constantly filling up the field of view with more important information. You remember walking past them. But you don't remember them calling for you...