| So I finally planted three frangipani trees along
the street in front Of my yard, spacing them a good distance apart. I would have planted
more, but I was afraid it might get too crowded. Champa was easy to grow: simply
bury a branch, at least a foot in length, in the ground. In
addition to planting champa in my own front yard, I decided to distribute cuttings
to all the neighbors who lived along the same alley. Each planted the cuttings with care,
spaced at an equal distance. The planting filled me with happiness, and I believe it was
the same for everyone else.
I built a fence around the young plants to prevent animals and
people from bumping into them while they took root. I watered them regularly. I nurtured
and admired these trees as they grew. Many months passed, and slowly my champa
sprouted fresh green leaves and new branches.
Years later, the front of my yard and the area along the alley are
full of shade, cool shade created by frangipani and its thick foliage. Champa grows
to medium height. It blooms all year round. It blooms in the rain. It blooms when the wind
blows and blooms when the sun shines. It is the flower of glory for Laos.
My front yard is lively once again. Passersby pause to cool off.
Children come to sit and play. Their happy noise can be heard once again. Some of them
gather flowers and string them into garlands to wear around their necks and wrists. Seeing
them leaves me with happy memories.
NOTES
1. Viengchan, also spelled Vientiane, is the capital city of Laos.
2. Faong, or Poinciana regia, is a tall ornamental
tree with red flowers and edible seeds.
3. Champa, or frangipani, is the national flower of Laos. |
