Nov 16, 2010

Papaya

We had one or two Papaya trees in our backyard which faithfully yielded lots and lots of fruits all year around. Papa loved plucking the fruits from the tree and then cutting it length wise for us to eat. I loved watching Papa plucking it and cleaning it. It is Papa's fingers I admired most more than the fruit itself. Next I loved the glossy seeds, I could easily get lost in them...

We shared Papayas with neighbors at times, but mostly we ate them all as they had their own. Papa would say the fruits have beauty vitamins in them which was enough for me to start.

Once during a summer break my Aunt cut a Papaya while I was sleeping and just when I was getting up she was wrapping the peels and seeds to throw away. Seeing the nice bundle in her hands I asked her what it was. She told me it was a special gift she got for me. I was very excited and opened the bundle expecting to see grapes and to my shame there were Papaya peels and seeds inside.

All my cousins had a hearty laugh and I cried the next hour or so. I am sure my Aunt got her share from my Grandma for doing such a prank and making me cry. I love my Grandma. Even to this day whenever I cut a Papaya the scene spreads in my memory screen...

This incident taught me a very valuable lesson - not to play prank with anyone, especially kids, at least not with food favorites... lest a decade or two later they too may blog about my little prank making me feel so very miserable all over again...

9 comments:

raji said...

As a kid ,I remember even me feeling embarssed if someone tried to mock me,nice narration.By the way ,does your aunt read your blogs?

NRIGirl said...

Raji! Though she hasn't commented about my blogs so far, I have a feeling she does read from time to time.

I am sure my cousin will point this particular post out to her. I know she will take it cool as she loves me and knows that I love her much too.

By the way, Rachel was thrilled to see your comment on her blog. Thank you for making her day!

~ NRIGirl

Balachandran V said...

How true! The wounds in a child's heart leave permanent scars. I remember when I was a small boy, someone in the family teased me by saying that I was not actually born to my mother but she had bought me from a flour-seller. I remember that as a child, I believed it and used to brood over it. I remember the pain in the child's heart.

Never, never hurt children - by words or deeds. The best gift you can give them is happy memories; that's what they'll remember when they grow up; and they will love you for that.

NRIGirl said...

Thank you for sharing that story and a great insight Balachandran V!

Bikram said...

hmmm well i wont say playing pranks is bad .. but i do expect if prank hurts anyone then you should have the heart and decency to say sorry to them...

and esepcially if it hurst a KId..
We also had Papaya tree in our garden 2 of them, my dad was good at gardening he made sure to have a few trees leechies, guava, Cheeku and mangoe ..

I have spent a lot of my childhood getting bruised jumping around the trees and falling :)

raji said...

@NRi gal,hey actually i was thrilled to see her blog!It was my pleasure:)and i must appreciate your efforts in bringing up your children.

Mangala said...

I am very fond of fruits, in fact, I can survive on only fruits, but I hated Papaya and Chikku/Sapota. When I got married and moved to Mumbai, my MIL took a lot of trouble to get me to like Papaya. She soon convinced me to at least taste it and since that day, Papayas have been a favourite with me. I really thank her for introducing me to this great fruit!

dr.antony said...

I realised the value of Papaya after I came to the gulf.It is expensive here.
I never thought it was so likable,I dont know.

Like you said,we dont have a clue what goes through a child's mind.Memories warp and fade,never die.

Haddock said...

One of the good and healthy fruit.

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