Tamarind’s New Neighbor

Tamarind Tree lives beside a busy road. As people pass by, they often praise her for the shade and delicious fruit she offers them.

Tamarind Tree feels proud to be so loved and so useful.

One day, the villagers build a big sala hut next to Tamarind Tree. She isn’t sure what to think of her new neighbor.

Now, when people pass by they say, "Wow, this sala hut is a great place to rest! It's so big, it even has seating inside!"

No one seems to enjoy Tamarind Tree’s shade any more. The only visitors to her branches are rough boys who climb up to steal her fruit.

As the season changes, Tamarind Tree’s leaves begin to drop. The wind blows them into Sala Hut.

"Tamarind Tree, stop dropping your leaves on me! You are making a mess," Sala Hut shouts."It is not my fault, Sala Hut. If you want to complain, complain to the wind," Tamarind Tree replies.

"Don’t blame the wind. If you didn’t drop so many dead leaves, the wind would not blow them on me. You are so annoying!" Sala Hut yells.Tamarind Tree tries to ignore Sala Hut’s words.

The next night, there is a big storm. One of Tamarind Tree’s branches snaps off. It flies through Sala Hut’s roof.

Tamarind Tree cries out in pain from her lost branch, but Sala Hut cares only about his broken roof.

"You need to keep your parts to yourself," he snaps.Tamarind Tree is sad and hurt. She wishes she knew what to do about her surly neighbor.

As Tamarind Tree ponders the situation, one of her roots begins to grow around one of Sala Hut’s pillars.

Tamarind Tree and Sala Hut have decided they do not like each other. They don't even speak to each other anymore, until . . .

. . . another terrible storm hits. It is worse than anything they have seen before. Sala Hut feels the wind lifting him off the ground. He screams for Tamarind Tree to help him.

Tamarind Tree does not hesitate. She holds on to Sala Hut with all her might.

After the storm, Sala Hut smiles at Tamarind Tree. "Thank you for your help. I would not have survived without you. I am sorry for being so rude before."

Tamarind Tree accepts Sala Hut’s apology with a smile. At last, they have become happy neighbors.