Litchis and raw mangoes..

Post written for Indiblogger's Kissan Natures Friends Contest :)


It was 6 am.The winter sun trickled through the ruffling mango tree leaves.The yamuna waters glistened in the sunlight falling softly on the rocks.. it was a perfect day.
The little girl was happy, smiling and excited pointing out at the tiny raw mangoes hanging on the trees.
Holding grandpas hand she sprung as she walked on the banks of Yamuna. "Nanaji can we cross it?" He laughed. " no my miss world.. once you become as tall as me you can!"
"But you can always carry me on your shoulders!"
Well..there was no winning against her. Her curiosity. Her awe. Her wonder.

Christmas holidays were never so much fun. A quaint little town in south Himachal had abundant suprises.
Bountiful litchee trees..mountain breeze.

She tugged on his kurta sleeve.." chalo!!! "

"Where? "
" do to something exciting"
"Cross the river?"
"No that we will do next week"

So off they went.she leading him to a secret hideout under the cucumber tree in their backyard.
A bucket in hand, a tiny spoon and a freshly eaten litchi seed.
" so what are we doing?"
" we are sowing this litchi seed..so we can have our very own litchi tree!!"she said clapping her hands in glee!
Struggling with the tiny spoon (make shift spade)she dug up the soil with such innocent intensity.Ah! The love of litchis!

The long walks in the mango orchards were fun.Plucking raw mangoes, stuffing it in pockets and running before the maali comes.
Only to find that the Maali had recognised the pesky kids and landed up at nana's house before them and lodged a complaint! Sigh.

What ensued was an hour long lecture of how this was an act of stealing. How could the little kids explain that joy of making the branch tilt and pluck the raw mango with the white sticky liquid oozing out.

Nature had a plethora of surprises: collecting pebbles from the river bed, watching the sun nestle in the mountains, making paper boats and watching them glide in tiny brooks, and chasing butterflies.

Ah! the unadulterated joys of childhood and the ever enchanting beauty of Nature.
As if an invisible bond.. of the protective trees, the serene river, the happy go lucky fishes and the endearing mountains.

I visit the place in my dreams now. The little girl trotting away with her granddad. Pointing out at litchis and raw mangoes hanging from the trees with "potbellies" (as she described).I see the girl staring at the river counting the fishes and losing track of the number. I smile. I look down into the water and see a reflection.Its the childhood me, looking back and laughing in glee. The little girl grown up in natures bounty.

Check the Kissan website:
http://www.kissan.in/