The Wishing Tree

The cab driver knew exactly how to find it. He said everyone in San Juan knew about the tree man.

"But, señora, how did you know about him?" he asked
"I overheard some people on the cruise boat talking about it," I said. " I had to see it for myself."

By the time we arrived, there were already 50 or 60 people standing in line. Some of the people had been waiting for hours just to see him...to talk to him...to touch him. Some had come from very far away just to be near him. There were so many people, but they all waited patiently for their turn. I sat on the beach watching, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

A young boy walking along the beach told me it was like this most nights. Just as the sun begins to set is when you can see him; no other time. He said they all come to ask for something. I asked him if their wishes are ever granted. "Si´señora," he said. "The ones that really need it. Once when my mother was really sick, I came to him. She is much better now." He told me I should get in line before it's too late. Once the sun goes down, the face goes away and wishes are not heard by the tree man.

I walked up to the end of the line and noticed how some of the people ahead of me approached the tree man. I couldn't't help but wonder whose wish would be granted and whose would not. There was an indigent woman carrying a baby. She touched the tree man's mouth; then gently placed her fingers on her baby's cleft lip and prayed silently. Another woman was holding a picture of a soldier. She held it up to the tree man so he could see his face. Finally, there was a man holding a lottery ticket. He leaned close to the tree and whispered something to him. Then he chuckled as if the tree said something back. He walked away with a slight smile on his face and clutching his ticket tightly.

Then it was my turn. I walked up to the tree man, reached out my hand to touch his face. His gentle eyes looked like they were filled with wisdom. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and made a wish. When I opened them again, the sun had set and the face was gone. I walked away wondering...did he hear me? Will my wish be granted? Maybe I was too late.

As I climbed back in my waiting taxi, I took one last look back at the beach. In the dark, all I could see was the silhouette of an ordinary tree.

Perhaps it was never real.