Mangoes and Memories

Every Indian will have memories around mangoes. If you have eaten ripe mangoes as a kid, you will know what I am talking about.

As a kid I grew up in a village in Kerala. Unlike other states in India, this is one of the states where you get rain throughout the year. Of Course I have to tell you that it had changed now days since summer started showing its Colors in this beautiful place as well.

We had a mango tree near to my home which was only the one available nearby. The tree was so tall and the mangoes where on top which made it difficult for us to get them. Throwing stones was one of the ways to get those mangoes but I was very bad in it. And we were too small to throw stones and get them. The only source was the heavy wind blew before a thunder storm in the evening time. This was the specialty of the rain in summer time and it comes only in the evening. As soon as the wind blows we, me and my sister and the other kids run towards the tree to pick up the mangoes fallen down due to heavy wind. Kids include everyone from the nearby houses as well. It takes seconds for us to run and pick up the mangoes and run back with the same speed before the raindrops touches the ground.  We made sure that we filled our baskets more than the next one. But most of the time we get drenched and end up in moms scolding. One day like any other we all ran towards the mango tree after a strong wind. As soon as we reached the place a thunder stroked heavily almost like it was on us. With the same speed we came towards the tree we all ran back to our home crying loud. We were so scared that even left the mango baskets near to the tree itself. We were running so fast breathlessly to reach home safe before another such one. After this incident my mom scolded us and told not run for mangoes before rain. Her policy was just to wait until the rain stops and then go and get it. But we knew if we wait for long we will end up getting few mangoes which will not satisfy our taste buds. So her scolding didn't stop us from running towards the tree again on the next day and the many more days to come in all those years. It was always happy ending due to the very tasty mangoes which we ate together watching the heavy rain and the over flowed small river in front of our house. Those days were precious and the mangoes we ate were the most delicious ones.

Then the years pass by and we all grew and settled in different parts of world. Here when I feel like eating mangoes I go pick some from nearby shop which will be filled with them during the season.

At my home my dad has cut of the tall mango tree and planted a new verity. This one is short and the mangoes can be plucked with hands itself.

Now no more running to pick the fallen mangoes and no more thunder strokes. 

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