There were two new leaves, pale purple in colour, that had by this time sproted from the bosapling. Exactly three days later around sunset the yellowed leaf at the base of the sapling fell.

Veerappuli Henaya, who was sitting on a rock awaiting this, took it in both hands and looked upon it for a long time. He felt a great pride rising within him.

A new life process was unfolding within the precious thing which he had with the greatest effort brought home. New leaves were sprouting. The older leaves would decay and fall to the earth. One day this tiny sapling will grow into a giant of a tree and would bathe with a divine light all corners of the village, he thought.