GIFTS

Driving through the university campus, close to the ticket booth, I noticed these green, unripe mangoes. They were hanging very low and left by pedestrians to ripen on the tree. I spotted the potential, juicy fruits hanging on the tree, a few days ago and was tempted to take a photograph of them. I guess I was attracted to the hanging fruits because that was a rare sight, in the last couple of years.

Those mangoes reminded me of how time heals.

In the last few years we have not enjoyed many healthy mangoes. There has been a ‘virus’ or disease that caused many of the leaves to blacken and stall the growth of the juicy fruits. All around the city this disease affected many trees. The huge mango tree at home was not spared and had to be sprayed and pruned a few times.

My brief research showed me what was affecting the the trees. The disease called ‘Sooty Mold,’ which is s fungus had spread throughout the region and affected many trees including mango trees. All the leaves were covered in a shiny black, powdery looking fungi and the trees gave birth to misly looking half-fruits.

A few years on, I am delighted that the disaster is behind us and we are now noticing many healthy, lush mangoes on trees, all around the neighborhood. When mangoes are in season, I absolutely enjoy them. They are so appealing and are the main ingredient in my smoothies. I choose the large species as they are more fiburous and succulent.

Can I compare or connect the disease of our local mango trees to the effect of the Corona Virus on humans?

One day all this bro ha ha will be over and we will, “hang, ripen and be full of goodness.”

That is my prayer, dream and hope.