Journal Entry #7: Jackfruit Tree

author: Jefrey R. Valencia

(*note: i liked this journal entry so much that i asked Jefrey if its okay to post it on the blog, even if its supposed to be confidential. im glad he obliged.)

Finally! The storm has passed. I went out of our house and looked at my surroundings, squared my shoulders, and prepare myself for the task at hand. There was destruction everywhere but nothing stands out more than the fallen tree in the middle of our garden. Upon closer inspection it was our massive 15 ft jackfruit tree lying at its side. I was shocked how such a formidable tree fell, but my question was quickly answered when I saw its roots torn from the ground. I felt cold in my heart as the feeling of disappointment and sadness swept over me. I felt this way because this tree has served us well this past two years. It bore a lot of fruits and it provided it shaded a lot of our pets. So it really pains me how such a mighty tree fell, the sad part was how it fell without giving an inch to the wind.

Now I am given the dirty task of removing this once noble tree. “Is this how we are? We use things and get rid of it once they become useless to us.” I said to myself. However, in the world of man it has always been people first above anything else. I was given a long bladed tool for the task but for the tree it is nothing more but a weapon that will be used to chop him to pieces. I held the grip of the blade tight in my right hand and made a deep breath as I slowly raised it over my head. There was momentary silence as I was looking at the tree; suddenly I stuck with all my might. I heard the snapping noises as the blade went though the smaller branches and a loud “Thud!” when the blade buried itself in an inch of the trees flesh. White liquid spurted out from the wound I inflicted; it was white with glue like consistency. “So this is how a tree bleeds.” I said to my self. With one swing I cut a big swathe out of the trees branches and I came to a realization that the blade I was using was sharp, however, I know that it will not make much of a difference as other parts of the tree are massive measuring about eight inches in width. With that in mind I sure hope it is true that plants do not feel pain.

After seven hours of continuous labor with a few food breaks here and there I was left with nothing more but the torn up branches of this once magnificent tree. Thinking about it now I realized how even the strongest of us for one reason or another will someday fall. That one day my parents, friends and even I will find ourselves lying down waiting for our own end to come. If ever that that faithful day finally comes my only hope is that someone will feel the same disappointment and sadness I felt looking down at the fallen jackfruit tree.