The poem ‘Cherry Tree’ is about the poet Ruskin Bond’s excitement over a cherry tree whose seed he planted eight years ago and the steady growth of the plant to a big tree, bearing tender cherries. The existence of the tree is so important for the poet that he has not thought of any other title but the simple ‘Cherry Tree’ to make the tree appear all important.

The poet planted the seed of the cherry just because he wanted to own a plant. The plant grew on its own without much care from anybody except nature and rain, learnt to fight against all odds and was finally successful in bearing tender berries. The poet, after spending a season in Kashmir, came back to get the surprise of a six feet high cherry tree at his door. He felt so attached to the tree that he started spending long hours, from dawn to dusk, in the company of his cherry tree, watching the flora and fauna around it and taking pride for being responsible for the existence of the tree.

The poet used simple language to narrate the birth and growth of his cherry tree. The process is known to all but the narration made it an interesting story. The figures of speech used are all common ones and easy to understand. The beauty of the nature can be enjoyed and appreciated by one and all because of the informal language.

The poet has stuck to the topic of the cherry tree right from the beginning to the end of the poem. Ruskin Bond basically writes for the children and he has not done anything where a child’s attention can be diverted from the cherry tree. The child can easily identify with the feelings and joys of the poem and this gives the poem its exclusivity.

But the poem also has a food for thought, a deeper meaning of struggle for survival, qualities needed to fight back and be a winner, dedication, growth and pride. The cherry’s fight starts at a very young age when it appears difficult because of it small size. But, as it grows up it learns, through experience, to be stronger.

The similar situation happens in human life also. The learning process continues at every young stage of life and makes a person capable of handling the adversities as tactfully as possible. The poet is proud that he has planted the cherry seed which now gives him so much of satisfaction as the parents of an individual feels seeing the success of their child.

It gives me immense pleasure to read and understand the beauty of the poem, The clarity in the language and the lucidity of presentation help me enjoy each and every stage of the growth of the cherry tree. I am able to connect with its struggle and feel related when it wins the race of life.