Summary of “Our Casuarina Tree” in English
“Our Casuarina Tree” is a beautiful poem written by Toru Dutt, where she expresses her deep love for a special tree. This tree is very important to her, not just because of its beauty, but because of the memories attached to it.
Stanza 1: The Description of the Tree
The poet describes the Casuarina tree as a very big and strong tree. A creeper (a climbing plant) is wrapped around it, just like a huge python (a big snake). The tree has deep marks on its trunk, showing that it has been standing for many years. The creeper climbs very high, reaching almost to the stars.
Even though the creeper is hugging the tree tightly, the tree courageously holds it and does not die. The tree is covered with beautiful red flowers, and many birds and bees come to sit on its branches. At night, the garden is filled with sweet music coming from the tree, which continues even when people are asleep.
Stanza 2: The Tree in the Morning
Every morning, when the poet opens her window, she sees the Casuarina tree. She loves looking at it. During winter, she often sees a gray baboon sitting quietly on the top of the tree, watching the sunrise.
On the lower branches, the baboon’s little children jump and play happily. The kokila (cuckoo bird) sings, welcoming the morning, and the cows slowly walk towards their pasture (fields).
The tree’s shadow falls on a large water tank, and in the water, white water lilies bloom, looking like snow floating on the surface.
Stanza 3: The Tree and Its Memories
The poet says that she does not love the tree only because it is beautiful. The tree is special to her heart because she played under it as a child. Even though many years have passed, she still remembers the happy times spent under the tree with her dear friends and family.
Thinking about these memories makes her cry. She hears a sad sound coming from the tree, like the waves of the sea crashing on the shore. She wonders if this is the tree’s own sorrowful voice, which might be trying to reach some unknown world.
Stanza 4: Remembering the Tree from Far Away
Even when the poet travels to other countries, she remembers the tree. She has heard the same sad sound in distant places, like France and Italy, near the sea.
Whenever she hears this melancholic (sad) music, she imagines the Casuarina tree standing tall in her homeland. She sees it as she did in her happy childhood, and the memories make her feel emotional.
Stanza 5: A Tribute to the Tree
The poet wants to honor the Casuarina tree by writing this poem. The tree was loved by her family and friends, who are now no longer alive. They were dearer to her than life itself.
She wishes that even after her own death, the tree will be remembered forever, just like the immortal trees of Borrowdale (a place in England known for its old and grand trees).
She recalls that under such ancient trees, many emotions like fear, hope, death, and time have passed. Even though her poem may not be perfect, she hopes that her love for the tree will protect it from being forgotten.
Summary of “Our Casuarina Tree” in Hindi
“हमारा कैसुआरीना पेड़” एक सुंदर कविता है जिसे टोरू दत्त ने लिखा है। इस कविता में कवयित्री अपने प्रिय पेड़ के बारे में बताती हैं। यह पेड़ सिर्फ खूबसूरत ही नहीं है, बल्कि उनकी यादों से भी जुड़ा हुआ है।
पहला बंद: पेड़ का वर्णन
कवयित्री कहती हैं कि कैसुआरीना पेड़ बहुत बड़ा और मजबूत है। इस पेड़ के चारों ओर एक बेल (लता) लिपटी हुई है, जो एक विशाल अजगर (साँप) की तरह लगती है।
यह बेल इतनी कसकर लिपटी हुई है कि अगर कोई दूसरा पेड़ होता, तो शायद वह सूख जाता, लेकिन यह पेड़ मजबूती से खड़ा रहता है।
इस पेड़ पर लाल रंग के सुंदर फूल खिले रहते हैं, और इसकी शाखाओं पर चिड़ियाँ और मधुमक्खियाँ दिनभर मंडराती रहती हैं।
रात में, यह पेड़ एक मधुर संगीत (मीठी ध्वनि) पैदा करता है, जो ऐसा लगता है जैसे कभी खत्म ही नहीं होगा। जब लोग सो रहे होते हैं, तब भी यह अपनी मधुर ध्वनि से रात को भर देता है।
दूसरा बंद: सुबह का दृश्य
हर सुबह, जब कवयित्री अपनी खिड़की खोलती हैं, तो सबसे पहले यह पेड़ दिखता है, और यह दृश्य उन्हें बहुत खुशी देता है।
सर्दियों में, वह अक्सर देखती हैं कि एक बूढ़ा भूरा बंदर पेड़ की ऊँची शाखा पर अकेला बैठा रहता है और सूरज के उगने का नज़ारा देखता है।
नीचे की शाखाओं पर, उस बंदर के छोटे बच्चे खेलते और उछलते-कूदते रहते हैं।
कोयल (कोकीला) चिड़िया अपनी मीठी आवाज़ में गाना गाकर सुबह का स्वागत करती है, और गायें धीरे-धीरे चरने के लिए घास के मैदानों की ओर चली जाती हैं।
पेड़ की छाया एक बड़े तालाब (टैंक) पर पड़ती है, और पानी में सफेद कमल के फूल खिलते हैं, जो बर्फ के ढेर जैसे दिखते हैं।
तीसरा बंद: पेड़ और यादें
कवयित्री कहती हैं कि वह इस पेड़ को सिर्फ इसकी सुंदरता के कारण पसंद नहीं करतीं।
यह पेड़ उनके दिल के बहुत करीब है क्योंकि उनका बचपन इसी पेड़ के नीचे बीता था।
भले ही कई साल बीत गए हों, लेकिन यह पेड़ उन्हें उनके बचपन के दोस्तों और परिवार की याद दिलाता है, जो अब इस दुनिया में नहीं हैं।
जब वह इन यादों में खो जाती हैं, तो उनकी आँखों में आँसू आ जाते हैं।
उन्हें लगता है कि पेड़ से एक धीमी-सी उदास आवाज़ आ रही है, जो समुद्र की लहरों की आवाज़ की तरह महसूस होती है।
उन्हें आश्चर्य होता है कि शायद यह पेड़ अपने दुख को किसी अनजान जगह तक भेजने की कोशिश कर रहा है।
चौथा बंद: दूर रहते हुए भी पेड़ की याद
कवयित्री कहती हैं कि भले ही वह किसी और देश में चली जाएँ, फिर भी यह पेड़ उन्हें याद आता है।
उन्होंने फ्रांस और इटली जैसे दूर देशों में भी ऐसी ही उदास ध्वनि सुनी है।
जब वह समुद्र की लहरों को किनारे से टकराते हुए सुनती हैं, तो उन्हें अपने बचपन का यह पेड़ याद आता है।
हर बार जब वह यह मीठी ध्वनि सुनती हैं, तो उनकी आँखों के सामने बचपन का वही पेड़ खड़ा हो जाता है।
पाँचवाँ बंद: पेड़ के लिए सम्मान
कवयित्री कहती हैं कि वह इस पेड़ की याद में यह कविता लिखना चाहती हैं।
यह पेड़ उन लोगों की याद दिलाता है, जो अब इस दुनिया में नहीं हैं, लेकिन जो उन्हें जीवन से भी अधिक प्रिय थे।
वह प्रार्थना करती हैं कि यह पेड़ हमेशा जीवित रहे, जैसे पुराने समय के प्रसिद्ध और अमर पेड़।
बोरोडेल (Borrowdale) के प्राचीन पेड़ों की तरह, जहाँ डर, आशा, मृत्यु और समय का साया हमेशा बना रहता है, कवयित्री चाहती हैं कि उनका यह पेड़ भी हमेशा याद रखा जाए।
भले ही उनकी कविता बहुत साधारण हो, लेकिन वह चाहती हैं कि उनका प्यार इस पेड़ को कभी भी भुलाए जाने से बचा ले।
Summary of “Our Casuarina Tree” in Urdu
ہمارا کیسوارینا درخت” ایک خوبصورت نظم ہے جو ٹورو دت نے لکھی ہے۔ اس نظم میں شاعرہ اپنے ایک خاص درخت کے بارے میں بات کرتی ہے۔ یہ درخت صرف خوبصورت نہیں ہے، بلکہ اس کی یادوں کا حصہ بھی ہے۔”
پہلا بند: درخت کی خوبصورتی
شاعرہ کہتی ہے کہ کیسوارینا درخت بہت بڑا اور مضبوط ہے۔ اس پر ایک بیل (لپٹنے والا پودا) چڑھی ہوئی ہے، جو اسے ایک بڑے سانپ (اجگر) کی طرح لپٹی ہوئی نظر آتی ہے۔
یہ بیل اتنی مضبوطی سے لپٹی ہوئی ہے کہ کوئی اور درخت ہوتا تو مر جاتا، مگر یہ درخت مضبوطی سے کھڑا ہے۔ اس درخت پر لال رنگ کے خوبصورت پھول کھلے ہوتے ہیں، اور اس کی شاخوں پر چڑیاں اور شہد کی مکھیاں آتی ہیں۔
رات کو، یہ درخت مدھر دھن (میٹھی آواز) پیدا کرتا ہے جو ایسے لگتا ہے جیسے کبھی ختم نہیں ہوگی۔ جب لوگ سو رہے ہوتے ہیں، یہ درخت رات میں بھی گاتا رہتا ہے۔
دوسرا بند: صبح کا منظر
جب شاعرہ اپنی کھڑکی کھولتی ہے، تو سب سے پہلے یہ درخت نظر آتا ہے، اور وہ بہت خوش ہوتی ہے۔
سردیوں میں، وہ اکثر دیکھتی ہے کہ ایک بھورا بندر درخت کی سب سے اوپر والی شاخ پر اکیلا بیٹھا ہوتا ہے اور سورج نکلنے کا منظر دیکھ رہا ہوتا ہے۔
درخت کی نیچے کی شاخوں پر، اس بندر کے چھوٹے بچے کھیلتے اور اچھلتے ہیں۔ کوکیلا (کوئل) چڑیا اپنی میٹھی آواز میں صبح کی خوش آمدید کرتی ہے، اور گائیں آہستہ آہستہ چراگاہ (گھاس کے میدان) کی طرف جاتی ہیں۔
درخت کی بڑی پرچھائیں تالاب کے پانی پر پڑتی ہے، اور سفید کمل (کنول) کے پھول کھلتے ہیں، جو برف کی طرح نظر آتے ہیں۔
تیسرا بند: درخت اور یادیں
شاعرہ کہتی ہے کہ وہ اس درخت کو صرف اس کی خوبصورتی کی وجہ سے پسند نہیں کرتی۔
یہ درخت اس کے لیے خاص ہے کیونکہ اس نے اپنے بچپن میں اس کے نیچے کھیل کھیلا تھا۔ اب چاہے کتنے ہی سال گزر جائیں، وہ اپنے پرانے دوستوں اور گھر والوں کو یاد کرتی ہے جو اب اس دنیا میں نہیں رہے۔
جب وہ ان کی یاد میں کھو جاتی ہے، تو اس کی آنکھوں میں آنسو آ جاتے ہیں۔
درخت سے آنے والی سرگوشی (ہلکی آواز) اسے سمندر کی لہروں کی آواز کی طرح محسوس ہوتی ہے۔ وہ سوچتی ہے کہ شاید یہ درخت اپنے غم کا اظہار کر رہا ہے اور یہ آواز کسی انجان جگہ تک پہنچ رہی ہے۔
چوتھا بند: درخت کی یاد کہیں بھی جائے
شاعرہ کہتی ہے کہ چاہے وہ کسی اور ملک میں ہو، تب بھی وہ اپنے درخت کو یاد کرتی ہے۔
فرانس اور اٹلی جیسے دور دراز ممالک میں جب وہ رات کو سمندر کی لہروں کی آواز سنتی ہے، تو اسے اپنا کیسوارینا درخت یاد آتا ہے۔
ہر بار جب وہ یہ میٹھی دھن سنتی ہے، وہ اپنے بچپن کا وہی درخت اپنی نظروں کے سامنے دیکھتی ہے، جیسے وہ پھر سے اپنے پرانے دنوں میں واپس چلی گئی ہو۔
پانچواں بند: درخت کے لیے محبت
شاعرہ کہتی ہے کہ وہ یہ نظم درخت کی عزت اور محبت میں لکھنا چاہتی ہے۔
یہ درخت ان لوگوں کی یاد دلاتا ہے جو اس کے بہت پیارے تھے، لیکن اب وہ ہمیشہ کی نیند سو چکے ہیں۔ وہ کہتی ہے کہ یہ لوگ اس کی زندگی سے بھی زیادہ قیمتی تھے۔
وہ دعا کرتی ہے کہ یہ درخت ہمیشہ زندہ رہے اور اسے وہی عزت ملے جو ہمیشہ رہنے والے درختوں کو دی جاتی ہے۔
بروروڈیل (Borrowdale) کے قدیم اور تاریخی درختوں کی طرح، جہاں وقت، خوف، امید، اور موت کا سایہ ہمیشہ موجود رہا ہے، وہ چاہتی ہے کہ اس کا درخت بھی ہمیشہ یاد رکھا جائے۔
چاہے اس کی لکھی گئی نظم کمزور ہو، مگر وہ امید کرتی ہے کہ اس کا پیار اس درخت کو بھول جانے کی لعنت سے بچا لے گا۔
Our Casuarina Tree – Line-by-Line Explanation
Stanza 1: Description of the Tree
Line 1:
“Like a huge Python, winding round and round”
👉 A big creeper (climbing plant) is wrapped around the tree, like a big snake (python).
Line 2:
“The rugged trunk, indented deep with scars,”
👉 The tree’s trunk is rough and full of deep marks (scars), showing it is very old.
Line 3:
“Up to its very summit near the stars,”
👉 The creeper climbs to the very top of the tall tree, almost touching the sky.
Line 4:
“A creeper climbs, in whose embraces bound”
👉 The creeper tightly holds the tree like a hug.
Line 5:
“No other tree could live. But gallantly”
👉 Normally, other trees would die from such pressure. But this strong tree lives bravely.
Line 6:
“The giant wears the scarf, and flowers are hung”
👉 The tree looks like it is wearing the creeper like a scarf. The creeper has flowers on it.
Line 7:
“In crimson clusters all the boughs among,”
👉 The flowers are red (crimson) and grow in groups (clusters) on the tree’s branches.
Line 8:
“Whereon all day are gathered bird and bee;”
👉 Birds and bees come to sit and buzz around the flowers all day.
Line 9:
“And oft at nights the garden overflows”
👉 At night, the whole garden is filled with sound.
Line 10:
“With one sweet song that seems to have no close,”
👉 A beautiful song comes from the tree, and it feels like it never ends.
Line 11:
“Sung darkling from our tree, while men repose.”
👉 This sweet song is sung during the night (“darkling”), while people are sleeping (“repose”).
Stanza 2: Morning Scene with the Tree
Line 12:
“When first my casement is wide open thrown”
👉 In the morning, when I open my window…
Line 13:
“At dawn, my eyes delighted on it rest;”
👉 …my eyes are happy to see the beautiful tree.
Line 14:
“Sometimes, and most in winter,—on its crest”
👉 Many times, especially in winter, on top of the tree…
Line 15:
“A gray baboon sits statue-like alone”
👉 …a grey monkey (baboon) sits alone, very still like a statue.
Line 16:
“Watching the sunrise; while on lower boughs”
👉 He watches the sunrise from above, while on lower branches…
Line 17:
“His puny offspring leap about and play;”
👉 His small children (young monkeys) jump and play.
Line 18:
“And far and near kokilas hail the day;”
👉 Nearby and far away, cuckoo birds sing and welcome the morning.
Line 19:
“And to their pastures wend our sleepy cows;”
👉 Our sleepy cows walk slowly to their fields to eat grass.
Line 20:
“And in the shadow, on the broad tank cast”
👉 The tree makes a big shadow on a large pond (tank).
Line 21:
“By that hoar tree, so beautiful and vast,”
👉 The old (hoar) and wide tree is very beautiful.
Line 22:
“The water-lilies spring, like snow enmassed.”
👉 White water-lilies bloom in the pond, looking like soft snow.
Stanza 3: Emotional Value of the Tree
Line 23:
“But not because of its magnificence”
👉 I don’t love this tree just because it looks grand and beautiful.
Line 24:
“Dear is the Casuarina to my soul:”
👉 This tree is special to my heart.
Line 25:
“Beneath it we have played; though years may roll,”
👉 I played under this tree in my childhood, even though many years have passed.
Line 26:
“O sweet companions, loved with love intense,”
👉 My dear childhood friends, whom I loved a lot…
Line 27:
“For your sakes, shall the tree be ever dear.”
👉 This tree will always be dear to me because of you.
Line 28:
“Blent with your images, it shall arise”
👉 The tree is mixed in my memories with your images.
Line 29:
“In memory, till the hot tears blind mine eyes!”
👉 I remember it so strongly that tears come to my eyes.
Line 30:
“What is that dirge-like murmur that I hear”
👉 I hear a sad, song-like sound from the tree.
Line 31:
“Like the sea breaking on a shingle-beach?”
👉 It sounds like sea waves hitting small stones on a beach.
Line 32:
“It is the tree’s lament, an eerie speech,”
👉 The tree is crying in a strange, ghostly voice.
Line 33:
“That haply to the unknown land may reach.”
👉 Maybe its sad voice is reaching to an unknown world (like heaven).
Stanza 4: Remembering the Tree from Far Away
Line 34:
“Unknown, yet well-known to the eye of faith!”
👉 That place (heaven) is unknown, but faith (belief) helps us feel it.
Line 35:
“Ah, I have heard that wail far, far away”
👉 I have heard this sad sound even in faraway lands.
Line 36:
“In distant lands, by many a sheltered bay,”
👉 In quiet, peaceful seaside places in other countries…
Line 37:
“When slumbered in his cave the water-wraith”
👉 When the water spirit (wraith) was sleeping deep in the sea…
Line 38:
“And the waves gently kissed the classic shore”
👉 …the sea waves gently touched the shores of those ancient lands.
Line 39:
“Of France or Italy, beneath the moon,”
👉 I was in France or Italy at night, under the moonlight.
Line 40:
“When earth lay trancèd in a dreamless swoon:”
👉 Everything around was calm and silent, as if in deep sleep.
Line 41:
“And every time the music rose,—before”
👉 Every time I heard such music…
Line 42:
“Mine inner vision rose a form sublime,”
👉 In my mind, I saw a beautiful and grand picture…
Line 43:
“Thy form, O Tree, as in my happy prime”
👉 …your image, O Tree, as I saw you in my happy younger days…
Line 44:
“I saw thee, in my own loved native clime.”
👉 …as I saw you in my beloved homeland (India).
Stanza 5: Tribute to the Tree
Line 45:
“Therefore I fain would consecrate a lay”
👉 That’s why I want to write a poem (lay) for you…
Line 46:
“Unto thy honor, Tree, beloved of those”
👉 …to honor you, dear tree, loved by my dear ones…
Line 47:
“Who now in blessed sleep, for aye, repose,”
👉 …who are now sleeping forever (they have died).
Line 48:
“Dearer than life to me, alas! were they!”
👉 They were more precious to me than my own life.
Line 49:
“Mayst thou be numbered when my days are done”
👉 After I die, I hope you will be counted among…
Line 50:
“With deathless trees—like those in Borrowdale,”
👉 …trees that never die, like those in a place called Borrowdale.
Line 51:
“Under whose awful branches lingered pale”
👉 Under those trees, people have felt deep emotions.
Line 52:
“Fear, trembling Hope, and Death, the skeleton,”
👉 Under them, people have felt fear, hope, and even death.
Line 53:
“And Time the shadow;” and though weak the verse”
👉 And the shadow of time. My poem may be weak…
Line 54:
“That would thy beauty fain, oh fain rehearse,”
👉 …and may not describe your beauty well…
Line 55:
“May Love defend thee from Oblivion’s curse.”
👉 …but my love for you will protect you from being forgotten.
“Our Casuarina Tree” – Poem Analysis
Poet: Toru Dutt
Type of Poem: Lyric poem (personal and emotional)
Main Theme: Love, memory, nature, and immortality
About the Poet (Toru Dutt):
Toru Dutt was a young Indian poet.
She wrote in English and French.
She died very young, but her poems became famous for their deep feelings and beauty.
This poem is one of her best and most loved works.
What is the Poem About?
This poem is about a tree in the poet’s garden – the Casuarina Tree.
But the poem is not just about a tree — it’s about memories, emotions, love for nature, and the sad feeling of losing loved ones.
Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
Stanza 1 – Description of the Tree
The Casuarina Tree is very big and strong.
A creeper (climbing plant) is wrapped around it like a huge python (snake).
The tree has scars, meaning it has faced many challenges and is very old.
The tree looks like it’s wearing a beautiful scarf of flowers.
Birds and bees visit it every day.
At night, the tree makes a sweet sound like a song that fills the garden.
This shows that the tree is full of life and beauty.
Stanza 2 – Morning Scene
The poet loves to see the tree when she opens her window in the morning.
A gray monkey (baboon) sits quietly on the top and watches the sunrise.
The monkey’s children play on the branches.
Cuckoo birds sing to welcome the new day.
The poet’s cows walk slowly to their grazing fields.
The tree’s shadow falls on a large pond.
In the water, white water-lilies bloom, looking like snow.
This shows how peaceful and lovely the tree’s surroundings are.
Stanza 3 – Emotional Attachment
The poet says she does not love the tree only because it looks beautiful.
She loves it because it holds memories of her childhood.
She and her friends used to play under this tree.
Those friends are now dead.
The tree reminds her of them.
When she remembers those times, she feels very sad and cries.
She hears a soft, sad sound from the tree.
It feels like the tree is crying too.
Stanza 4 – Remembering the Tree in Other Countries
Even when the poet goes to foreign countries like France and Italy, she remembers the tree.
When she hears the sound of the sea, it reminds her of the tree’s sad song.
Even in other places, she feels like the tree is with her.
She sees the image of the tree in her mind, as it looked in her happy childhood.
This shows the deep connection she has with the tree.
Stanza 5 – Tribute to the Tree
The poet says she wants to write this poem to honor the tree.
The tree was loved by her family and friends, who are now dead.
She says those people were dearer to her than life.
She hopes that the Casuarina Tree will be remembered forever, even after she dies.
She wants the tree to be counted among immortal (deathless) trees like the ones in Borrowdale (a place in England with famous trees).
Even if her poem is not perfect, she believes that her love for the tree will protect it from being forgotten.
Main Themes of the Poem
Love for Nature:
The poet loves the Casuarina tree deeply. She sees its beauty, life, and strength.Childhood Memories:
The tree reminds her of the happy times she had with her friends and family in her childhood.Loss and Sadness:
Many people she loved have died. The tree brings back those memories, and she feels emotional.Immortality (Forever Living):
The poet wants the tree to be remembered forever. She doesn’t want it to be forgotten.Power of Love and Poetry:
Even though her poem may be simple, she believes that true love and poetry can make anything eternal (forever)
Poetic Devices Used
| Device | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | “Like a huge python…” | Comparing the creeper to a snake |
| Personification | Tree “wears a scarf”, “sings” | Tree is given human actions |
| Imagery | Red flowers, snow-like lilies | Creates beautiful pictures in the reader’s mind |
| Alliteration | “Bird and bee”, “sweet song” | Repeating sounds for rhythm |
| Metaphor | “Tree’s lament” | Tree’s sound compared to crying |
Conclusion
“Our Casuarina Tree” is a very emotional and beautiful poem.
It is about a tree, but more than that, it is about the poet’s love, her past, her loss, and her deep feelings.
She shows that even a tree can become a symbol of love and memory.
Her wish is that the tree stays alive in memory — just like the people she once loved.
