The Shady Tree In The School Yard

There used to be a huge Kottambe Tree in our school ground,With its branches spreading far and wide providing shade for all the young girls who used to play around it.Since it was the only tree in the whole ground we used to flock around it,enjoying the shade and shelter it provided. we were glad it was there because it was what gave us some shelter from the burning sun looking down on us.But now it has been cut down and instead,a security hut has been built replacing the tree.There are no children playing around it now,only little girls who keep wiping the sweat pouring down their cheeks onto their uniform after the long run from their classes to the gate. The tree stump sits their looking at all these children with a smile of satisfaction thinking that it at least provided shade to some of us who just walk by it,without a backward glance.