“Hassan, don’t go out! It’s very hot, you’ll get sick,” Hassan’s mother shouted from the kitchen as soon as she came to know that he was preparing to go out to meet his friends.

“I know mama, but we are all gathering at Arham’s treehouse. It’ll be fine there, I promise!” Hassan shouted back from his room as he continued to tie his shoelaces.

It took another ten minutes for Hassan to finally convince his mother and five more minutes to arrive at the tree house. All his friends were already gathered there and were waiting for him.

“So now that everyone is here, what do you guys have in mind?” Hammad asked.

“I couldn’t think of anything that could break this heat wave even a little, at least there can be no immediate effect,” Ahsan dejectedly replied.

“I was thinking of planting trees. I know its impact won’t be immediate and not a major difference would be made, but we can at least start, I guess,” Hassan suggested.

“Yeah, you’re right. And we can also ask our housing society’s head for donations and volunteers,” Arham added.

And that evening, they all drafted an application to be sent to the administrator of their housing society. By the time they had to return to their homes, an application was sent requesting for some resources and donations to help the kids plant trees in their neighbourhood.

The next day, to their delight, society administration’s response they received was encouraging and they provided the friends with samplings, tools and even a small area where they could start the planting process.

A few days were then spent on researching and planning about different types of plants, how to take care of them, the best time to plant them, etc. A few pamphlets were printed and handed out to people, urging them to join this tree planting activity to make a bigger impact in their locality.

Thus, as a result, on the first day of planting, the society buzzed with activity. Families, neighbours and even passersby joined in to help. Hassan, Hammad, Arham and Ahsan, armed with newfound knowledge, led the way, demonstrating how to dig the holes, place the saplings, and gently cover the roots with soil. And this continued till quite a few samplings were planted. Specific people were then appointed at particular times to take care of the newly grown plants. A few protective barriers were built around new sensitive trees, to protect them from harsh weather and curious animals.

Years later, under their planted trees which were now strong and fully grown, just like the boys, the friends sat and looked as the sun set behind the towering trees, knowing and hoping that their story was just the beginning of a better future.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 11th, 2025