The Honey Mango Tree – Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

Summary

• Rasheed and narrator stand under a mango tree in Rasheed’s yard.
• Rasheed’s son, a 16-year-old boy, brings ripe mango slices.
• The narrator enjoys the mango, describing it as tasting like honey.
• He asks Rasheed if he planted the tree himself.
• Rasheed replies that the tree has a special story behind it.
• Rasheed begins narrating events from his youth as a bachelor.
• He once visited his younger brother, a Police Inspector, in a small town.
• On a hot day, Rasheed went for an evening stroll.
• He saw an old man, about eighty, lying under a tree in pain.
• The old man asked Rasheed for water in a hoarse voice.
• Rasheed noticed a young woman, Asma, reading across the road.
• He requested water from her, and she accompanied him with a pitcher.
• The old man, instead of drinking immediately, poured half the water on a withered mango sapling.
• The sapling had sprouted from a discarded seed.
• The old man then drank the remaining water and prayed silently.
• He introduced himself as Yusuf Sidhik, a fakir with no family.
• Rasheed introduced himself as a school teacher.
• The young woman introduced herself as Asma, also a school teacher.
• The fakir blessed them and lay down again.
• Soon, the fakir passed away in their presence.
• Rasheed fetched his brother, and they buried the fakir in the local graveyard.
• In the fakir’s pocket, Rasheed found six rupees.
• Rasheed and Asma added five rupees each to the amount.
• They bought sweets with the money and distributed them to schoolchildren.
• Asma watered the mango sapling daily, and it grew fresh leaves.
• Later, Rasheed and Asma got married.
• When Rasheed built his house, he carefully transplanted the sapling to his yard.
• Together, they nurtured it with water, ash, dung, humus, and bone meal.
• The sapling grew into a large mango tree with a wide canopy.
• Rasheed’s son reveals his name as Yusuf Sidhik, honoring the fakir.

Character Sketches

1. Rasheed
   Rasheed is a kind-hearted school teacher. He is thoughtful and respectful towards others, even strangers. His compassion is shown when he helps the old fakir and later cares for the mango sapling. He values relationships and nurtures both the tree and his family with love. Rasheed represents humanity, responsibility, and gratitude.
2. Asma
   Asma is a young school teacher. She is gentle, caring, and ready to help when Rasheed asks for water. Her kindness continues as she waters the mango sapling daily. She later marries Rasheed, and together they nurture the tree. Asma symbolizes love, patience, and devotion.
3. Yusuf Sidhik (the Fakir)
   The fakir is an old wandering saint with no family. He is weak and ill when Rasheed finds him, yet he shows deep faith. Instead of drinking all the water, he pours half on the sapling, showing his love for life and nature. He blesses Rasheed and Asma before dying peacefully. His memory lives on through the mango tree and Rasheed’s son’s name.
4. Rasheed’s Brother
   Rasheed’s younger brother is a Police Inspector. He works in a small town far from Rasheed’s home. Though his role is small, he helps in burying the fakir. His presence shows family support and responsibility. He represents duty and respect for the dead.
5. Rasheed’s Son (Yusuf Sidhik)
   Rasheed’s son is a sixteen-year-old boy. He is polite and respectful, bringing mango slices and later gifting mangoes to the narrator. His name, Yusuf Sidhik, honors the fakir. He represents continuity of memory and blessings across generations. Through him, the fakir’s spirit lives on in the family.
6. The Narrator
   The narrator is Rasheed’s neighbor. He listens to Rasheed’s story with interest and respect. He appreciates the sweetness of the mangoes and values the family’s kindness. His role is to share the story with readers. He represents curiosity and friendship.

Conversations

Rasheed and Asma (first meeting at the sit‑out)

• Rasheed: Sister, may I have some water?
• Asma: Yes, but why do you look so worried?
• Rasheed: An old man is lying under the tree. He is thirsty.
• Asma: Oh, I did not notice him. Is he very weak?
• Rasheed: Yes, he looks close to death.
• Asma: Then let me come with you.
• Rasheed: Thank you, your help means a lot.
• Asma: Here, take the pitcher carefully.
• Rasheed: Together we can ease his suffering.
• Asma: Yes, kindness is our duty.

Fakir and Rasheed (after receiving water)

• Fakir: Son, thank you for bringing water.
• Rasheed: Drink it, father, you need strength.
• Fakir: First, let me pour some on this sapling.
• Rasheed: Why do you care for the plant before yourself?
• Fakir: Life must continue even when mine ends.
• Rasheed: Your faith is inspiring.
• Fakir: This tree will grow and bless others.
• Rasheed: I will remember your words.
• Fakir: God bless you, son.
• Rasheed: Rest peacefully, father.

Rasheed and his Brother (after the fakir’s death)

• Rasheed: Brother, the old fakir has passed away.
• Brother: That is sad news.
• Rasheed: He died quietly under the tree.
• Brother: Did he have any family?
• Rasheed: No, he said he had none.
• Brother: Then we must take responsibility.
• Rasheed: Yes, let us bury him with respect.
• Brother: I will arrange for the graveyard.
• Rasheed: His soul deserves peace.
• Brother: We will honor him properly.

Rasheed and his Son (many years later)

• Son: Father, the mangoes are ripe today.
• Rasheed: Good, let us share them with our neighbor.
• Son: Mother wrapped some in newspaper.
• Rasheed: That is thoughtful of her.
• Son: Shall I take them now?
• Rasheed: Yes, kindness makes fruit sweeter.
• Son: Our neighbor will be happy.
• Rasheed: Remember, this tree is a blessing.
• Son: I am proud to carry the name Yusuf Sidhik.
• Rasheed: Your name keeps the fakir’s memory alive.

Narrator and Rasheed (under the mango tree)

• Narrator: These mangoes taste like honey!
• Rasheed: I am glad you like them.
• Narrator: Did you plant this tree yourself?
• Rasheed: Not exactly, it has a story.
• Narrator: Please tell me, I am curious.
• Rasheed: A fakir watered its sapling with his last strength.
• Narrator: That is amazing.
• Rasheed: Later, Asma and I cared for it.
• Narrator: Truly, this tree is blessed.
• Rasheed: Yes, it carries love, memory, and faith.

Questions with Answers

1. Why did Rasheed say the mango tree had a special place in his heart?
   Rasheed explained that the mango tree was not just an ordinary plant. It had a story connected to his youth and a dying fakir. The tree grew from a sapling that the fakir had watered with his last strength. Later, Rasheed and Asma cared for it together after their marriage. That is why the tree became a symbol of love, memory, and blessing.
2. Who brought mango slices to the narrator?
   It was Rasheed’s son, a sixteen-year-old boy. He came carrying a plate of ripe mango slices. The narrator enjoyed the fruit and praised its sweetness. This small act showed the hospitality of Rasheed’s family. It also prepared the ground for the story of the tree.
3. What did the narrator say about the taste of the mango?
   The narrator said the mango tasted like honey. This showed how delicious and special the fruit was. It reflected the care Rasheed’s family had given to the tree. The sweetness symbolized the blessings of the fakir. It also made the narrator curious about the tree’s origin.
4. Where was Rasheed when he first met the fakir?
   Rasheed was visiting his younger brother, who was a Police Inspector. His brother worked in a small town about seventy-five miles away. One evening Rasheed went out for a stroll. During this walk, he saw the old fakir lying under a tree. That meeting changed his life forever.
5. How did Rasheed describe the old man?
   The old man looked about eighty years old. He had a long beard and overgrown hair. He was lying under a tree and groaning in pain. His voice was hoarse when he asked for water. He appeared weak, lonely, and close to death.
6. Who helped Rasheed bring water to the fakir?
   Rasheed saw a young woman named Asma sitting across the road. She was reading a paper at her sit-out. Rasheed asked her for water, and she gave him a pitcher. She even came along when Rasheed carried it to the old man. This was the beginning of her bond with Rasheed.
7. What did the fakir do with the water?
   The fakir did something unusual. He poured half of the water on a withered mango sapling nearby. Only after that did he drink the remaining water. He then prayed silently under the tree. This act showed his faith and love for life.
8. What was the name of the fakir?
   The old man introduced himself as Yusuf Sidhik. He said he was a fakir with no family. He had spent his life wandering from place to place. He lived a simple life of prayer and travel. His name later became important in Rasheed’s family.
9. How did Rasheed and Asma introduce themselves?
   Rasheed told the fakir that he was a school teacher. Asma also said she was a school teacher. Both were young and kind-hearted. They showed respect to the old man. Their meeting with him became a turning point in their lives.
10. What happened to the fakir after drinking the water?
    The fakir lay down again under the tree. He was very weak and near death. Soon he breathed his last while Rasheed and Asma watched. Rasheed went to call his brother for help. Together they buried the fakir in the local graveyard.
11. What did Rasheed find in the fakir’s pocket?
    Rasheed found a small sum of six rupees. It was the only possession of the fakir. Rasheed and Asma added five rupees each to it. They used the money to buy sweets. Asma distributed the sweets to children in her school.
12. How was the mango sapling cared for after the fakir’s death?
    Asma watered the sapling every day. Soon it sprouted fresh green leaves. Rasheed also helped in nurturing it. Their care made the plant grow strong. The sapling became a living memory of the fakir.
13. What happened between Rasheed and Asma later?
    Rasheed and Asma grew close after the incident. They eventually got married. Their bond was strengthened by the shared memory of the fakir. The mango sapling became part of their married life. It symbolized their love and devotion.
14. How did Rasheed bring the sapling to his new home?
    When Rasheed built his house, he did not forget the sapling. He carefully uprooted it from the old place. He replanted it in his yard. He and Asma continued to water and manure it. The sapling grew into a tall mango tree.
15. What materials did Rasheed and Asma use to nourish the tree?
    They watered it regularly. They added ash and dung as manure. Later they mixed humus and bone meal. These natural materials made the soil rich. The tree grew quickly and spread its canopy.
16. How did Rasheed feel about the tree in his yard?
    Rasheed felt proud and happy. He smiled pleasantly and put his arms around the tree. For him, it was more than a plant. It was a symbol of blessing, love, and memory. He cherished it deeply.
17. What gift did Rasheed’s son give the narrator?
    As the narrator was leaving, Rasheed’s son called him back. He handed over some mangoes wrapped in newspaper. He said his mother had asked him to give them. This showed the family’s kindness and generosity. The narrator accepted them with a smile.
18. What was surprising about Rasheed’s son’s name?
    The boy introduced himself as Yusuf Sidhik. The narrator was shocked to hear the name. It was the same as the fakir’s name. This showed how the family honored the memory of the old man. The blessing of the fakir lived on in the boy.
19. What is the main theme of the story?
    The story highlights kindness, faith, and continuity of life. A dying fakir blessed a sapling with water. Rasheed and Asma nurtured it with love. The tree grew into a symbol of their marriage and family. It shows how good deeds live on through generations.
20. Who was the author of this story and what is he known for?
    The story was written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. He was a famous Malayalam writer known as Beypore Sultan. He was a humanist, freedom fighter, novelist, and short story writer. His works include Balyakalasakhi, Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, and Pathummayude Aadu. He received the Padma Shri in 1982 for his contribution to literature.