Just a little story.

The city of peaceful people saw the most terrible day in their lives when the Fire Monster came ploughing through the magnificent forest that formed the boundary of the city. Fireballs splattered across tiled roofs and paved roads, scarring people for life. But the worst hit were the trees in the city park - their green, leafy shade had provided shelter for generations of children, lovers, families and frail old people. Where there was the pleasant scent of nature and vitality, there was now the smell of burning wood and charring leaves. The fireball had hit the middle of the canopy and slowly licked its way through the entire length of the trees. Spots of bright red and yellow dotted the branches where the leaves were, while the barks stubbornly resisited the onslaught of fire.

The Fire Monster had nothing against the city. It just loved destroying things because it was a wicked, violent being. Its mother had promised that for every city it destroyed, it would grow stronger and more handsome. Only, every city that fell prey to its evil ways left a deep groove on the Fire Monster's body, making it uglier and more unapproachable with every passing day.

The Fire Monster let out a loud belch and followed it up with a booming evil cackle on seeing his latest handiwork of destruction. His joy was shortlived though, because all the peaceful people got together and prayed with all their faith for some means of rescue from the Fire Monster. The smog-filled sky broke clear in one place and the Rain Man came riding on his Numbus. Raising his hand, he sprayed jets of freezing cold water on the city, dousing every baby flame in the vicinity. The Fire Monster bellowed with rage and let loose a canon of fireballs at the Rain Man. A battle ensued, with the Rain Man fighting the Fire Monster valiantly with icy sprays of water.

As with all stories protraying the battles of good and evil, this one too celebrates the glory of good over evil. Which means, the Rain Man won the battle by dousing the Fire Monster and reducing it to a puddle of blubbering gases. The peaceful people were very happy with the outcome of the events, but their happiness was subdued because their beautiful city had been razed to the ground by the fire.

Just then, a cherub gah-gahed and pointed its hand at the city park where the tall trees had been burning moments ago. The peaceful people stared in awe at the sight - the icy water from the Rain Man had taken the fire dotting the trees by surprise, freezing it in its place. Now the trees were full of red and yellow dots shaped like flowers with uneven petals! The Wise Old Man of the village whispered, "Gul Mohar". The Golden Blossoms. The sun emerged from the dissipating smog, and the flowers seemed to grow in size, full of vivaciousness and glowing good health.

The peaceful people gathered around the trees, hugging them tenderly. The barks were injured and burnt to their insides, but life was running through them. Slowly, the city of peaceful people was rebuilt, and the Gul Mohar trees were given the place of pride. Relying on faith and plenty of water, the peaceful people cut branches of the tree and planted them all over the city.

Soon, word about the wondrous trees spread from village to town to city to state to country. People from all over the world came to see this wonder, and carried saplings back to plant in their hometowns.

And so the legend of the Gul Mohar spread. During summers, every Gul Mohar tree comes alive with thousands of fiery blossoms glistening in the sunlight. It blooms with the fire of the Fire Monster, and the sparkle from the icy sprays of the Rain Man.