bhaskar saikia

Have you ever wondered why some people strive to be different?

Why they obsess over uniqueness?

Not everyone feels this urge, but for those who do, is it a good thing?

That depends on perspective.

Take a moment to consider a place called Ténéré in the heart of the Saharan Desert. It’s not a name that stands out on the world map, yet it holds an extraordinary lesson—one that comes from a lone tree.

The Tree of Ténéré: A Living Lighthouse

Ténéré lies in northeastern Niger, a country that many might struggle to place on a map. Niger is rarely in the spotlight, yet it was once home to something remarkable—a tree.

The Tree of Ténéré was not just any tree; it was the most isolated tree on Earth. For over 400 kilometers in any direction, it stood alone, a solitary acacia thriving where nothing else could. Rising three meters tall, it served as a crucial landmark for desert caravans, a beacon guiding travelers through the vast emptiness. It was a living lighthouse, a natural marvel so significant that it was featured on maps covering half of Africa. After all, trees don’t usually make it onto world maps—unless, of course, they are extraordinary.

But in 1973, the legendary tree met an untimely and absurd end. An allegedly drunk Libyan truck driver—navigating an otherwise completely empty landscape—somehow managed to crash directly into it, knocking it down.

Think about that for a moment.

The tree was the only obstacle for hundreds of kilometers and yet it was hit. Even more astonishing? This wasn’t even the first time! Years before, another truck had also collided with the tree. If that doesn’t highlight the dangers of drinking and driving, what does? Even on an open road with nothing in the way, a drunk driver will still find something to crash into.

Today, the remains of the Tree of Ténéré are preserved in the Niger National Museum in Niamey. A metal sculpture now stands in its place, continuing to guide travelers just as the tree once did.

But what does this tree have to do with people who seek to be different?

Everything.

Ténéré was not always a barren desert. In its distant geological past, it had been home to oceans, tropical forests, dinosaurs and even early human settlements. Yet, through all the ages and transformations, one tree survived. While everything else vanished, it remained—because it dared to dig its roots deeper in search of life-giving water.

It stood alone. It thrived alone. And because it was different, it became a beacon.

Even after its death, its legacy endures. The metal monument at its location continues to serve as a guiding marker.

It outlived itself through its purpose.

This is why certain people strive to be different.

They don’t want to be forgotten.

They want to leave behind something meaningful—something that continues to serve others, like a lighthouse in the dark.

Yet, history has shown that the world often fears those who stand apart. Society criticizes and condemns those who refuse to conform, just as locals once feared the Tree of Ténéré, believing it to be haunted. They could not rationalize its defiance, its courage to exist where nothing else could.

So, the question remains: Do you want to be different?

Or are you content to stay comfortable, sinking into the familiarity of your weekend couch?