The tree that killed its caretaker [Archives:2006/960/Reportage]
Mohammed Al-Jabri
The following is a true story of a farmer who died in his qat field while hanging onto one of its tall trees.
Hatem Ali grew up in the qat fields of his grandfathers. As a child, Ali used to spend some time in the qat fields watching his father and grandfather pick qat leaves from the trees. When he became a grown-up, Ali befriended the qat trees after spending much time caring for them throughout the four seasons of the year.
Ali was famous for having the best quality qat in his district. When asked about the best qat, locals would say, “Ali's son Hatem is the best at caring for qat.” They also used to say about him, “Even if you asked him to leave his house to sell you qat, he would leave his comfortable seat and qat session to fulfill your demand.”
Ali paid much more attention to his qat fields than other farmers. He was matchless in caring for qat trees. Also, he used to describe qat leaves with superb detail and was the best describer of qat in his village, even highlighting qat's advantages.
Ali was known for being a generous farmer with a sense of humor that never left his countenance. Those without money to buy qat went to Ali's fields to request some qat leaves, as he never disappointed anyone requesting qat without money. He also used to sell qat on a post-payment basis.
Those farmers who worked with him bear witness to his being a generous and good man and he treated them kindly. They never got bored or tired of working in his fields, especially because he used to create an atmosphere of humor for them. When he saw a sad worker of his, he said to him, “Hey man, why are you sad? OK, chew some qat and forget the world. There's no need to get upset.”
As usual, Ali went to his fields after Al-Fajr prayer to care for the qat trees and water them, even if it was too cold for him to touch the water. His wife brought his breakfast to him because he preferred having it under the shade of the qat trees. Afterward, he went to sell his qat in the market until midday (i.e., until 5 or 6 p.m.).
Tragically, Ali's life ended this past January. Having prayed Al-Fajr prayer, he headed for his qat fields as usual, having his breakfast under the very tree on which he soon after died. It was 10 a.m. when he set a stepladder against the tree because it was too tall for him to reach its leaves. The ground below was full of water. His death hour quickly approached, as he didn't notice the electrical wire touching the tree and the steel stepladder.
Ali ascended the stepladder and picked a few leaves. Unknowingly, he took his last look at the other qat trees he inherited from his father. Suddenly, the electric shock ran over the steel stepladder and Ali died holding onto the qat tree.
It was a black day for all the villagers because they lost one of their area's best local residents. Ali lived in a Sana'a suburb and died at age 35.
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