The apricot tree

Accompanied by ‘Apricot Tree’ for solo cello by James Ross, performed by Jessica Kerr

I met Farahnaz, the contributor of this story, at a local event. Despite speaking to me in her second - maybe third - language, her love for this tree shone through in the way she spoke about it. The apricot tree here is a holder of memories, and there is a simplicity to Farahnaz’ description that communicates her grandfather’s attachment to the tree really beautifully.

The English translation is below the original Persian. Thanks to Farahnaz for her own translation.

خانه قدیمی ما در افغانستان حیاط زیبا و بزرگی داشت. در حیاط ما پنج درخت بود. از جمله درخت سیب، دو درخت زردآلو، یک درخت آلو، درخت هلو و یک تاک انگور. یکی از درختان زردآلو عمر طولانی داشت. بزرگ و با شاخه های قوی. پدربزرگم یک تاب چوبی بسیار زیبا برای ما درست کرد. ما از تاب بازی بسیار لذت می‌بردیم. تا اینکه مدتی بعد شاخه درخت شکست و دیگر نتوانستیم تاب بخوریم. اگرچه از آن خانه نقل مکان کرده‌ایم، اما هنوز آن درخت را دوست داریم. پدربزرگم گاهی برای دیدن خانه خاطره انگیز ما به آنجا می رود و تنها چیزی که او را خوشحال می کند و گاهی ناراحت آن درخت است زیرا ما از آن خاطره زیادی داریم. برای درخت دوست داشتنی مان عمر طولانی آرزومندم.

Our old house in Afghanistan had a nice and big yard. There were 5 trees in our yard. Including apple tree, 2 apricot tree, one plum tree, peach tree and a vine of grape.

One of the apricot trees lived a long time. It was big with strong branches. My grandfather made a really nice wooden swing for us. We enjoyed swinging a lot. Until a long time later - the branch of the tree broke and we were not able to swing anymore.

Although we had moved from that house, we still love that tree. My grandfather sometimes goes there to visit our memorable house and the only thing that make him happy and sometimes sad is that tree, because we have a lot of memory from it.

Wish that tree long live. 

Story translated by the contributor from her native Persian