Short story: The Yellow Ipe Tree, author - Dias Campos ( Brazil)

 

 The Yellow Ipe Tree

 Dias Campos 

Brazil, São Paulo, SP

Minervino lived with his wife and three children on a farm. They grew corn, cassava, and whatever else the market demanded. This was their livelihood.

After a long time, the farmer managed to buy an old tractor and basic implements, which would reduce the effort they put into farming.

The anticipation for the debut of the hulking machine was immense. As it became the main topic of conversation in their lives, they even placed bets on how many days it would take to complete the planting.

However, in the middle of the field stood a gigantic, century-old yellow ipe tree. Up until then, the tree had only provided benefits—offering shade to ease the heat for anyone seeking refuge, and with its blooms, uplifting the spirits of all who gazed upon it.

On the night before planting was to begin, the farmer thought it best to cut down the ipe, as this would make the tractor's work easier, increase the field's productivity, and thus bring more money into the household.

He shared his idea with the family, but did not receive the expected encouragement.

The next day, upon opening the door, Minervino gazed at the tree. And since it was mid-September, all the flowers were in full bloom.

The sight filled his eyes with wonder!... And the ipe tree thanked him with its shade.

Biography: Dias Campos is a novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Among his various accolades, he holds an honorary doctorate in Literature from the Brazilian Federation of Academicians in Sciences, Letters, and Arts (FEBACLA); an honorary doctorate in Humanities from the World Organization of Human Rights Defenders (OMDDH); and is an Ambassador of Peace by the OMDDH, FEBACLA, and the Global Writers Academy (GWA). He is also recognized as Ambassador of Literature by the Brazilian Court of Letters, Arts, and Sciences (COBLAC); as Ambassadeur Honneur et Reconnaissance aux Femmes et Hommes de Valeur by the Académie Française des Arts Lettres et Culture (LAFALC); and as Embajador Mundial Literario by La Voz de tus Escritos. He has won numerous literary awards, is a member of various literary academies, and is a columnist and contributor to several literary magazines, newspapers, and blogs.