A Mysterious Phenomenon.
To the Editor of the “Indian-Spectator.”
Sir, – A friend of mine and his wife have just experienced a strange phenomenon. My friend is in the Forest Survey, and whilst in camp in Barwani District, their camp being fixed under a large Banyan tree, one evening after sunset a huge stone dropped out of the tree on to the cooking range.
This was followed by another, and then another, till the men were fairly pelted with the stones and some were hurt. Curiously enough, this mysterious fall of stones stopped when my friend and his wife approached the spot.
No one could be seen in the tree. The villagers were standing around shivering and shaking at the action of the “devil in the tree.”
The camp was near the Bhil burial ground. The shower stopped at about 2 a.m.
Next day the tree was carefully examined and watched. The stones fell in a space of about 9 feet, and when the men moved away the stones came in a slanting direction after them. Not a leaf came with the stones which were of different sizes and came with different velocities. The next night the shower began again. This time the men killed a cock and a goat to appease the “devil in the tree.”
More than a thousand stones in all must have fallen. Some came with terrible force, some gently, some were mere pebbles, some my friends could hardly lift. The affair was a mystery to my friends, and remains so. Perhaps some of your readers may have some explanation.
Yours faithfully, E.P.B.
Voice of India, 6th April 1907.