It was a typical Sunday of
April month - the time of year loved by
kids, not only for the summer vacation but for those giant jackfruits and
dangling mangoes! Nandus, notorious for their nocturnal roaming, came early on
that morning and requested for a day time ride.
A traverse on the bike
around the Poornathrayeesa temple is one of their favourite pass time activity.
Our ride is always in sub-30 speed, watching the summer butterflies, meandering
cows, sleepy buffaloes, people walking around and all the while keeping an eye
over the possibility of finding an ice-cream shop!
This time they were happy
with the simple ride. We covered the entire surroundings of temple, those narrow lanes, studded with age old
palatial palaces. We were near the old Iron Bridge (Irumbu Palam). There were hardly anyone on the
road other than a few at a roadside shop and a few autos. It was then it
happened.
Just as we were taking the
turn, we heard a loud crumbling noise. From the pillion seat Thrupthi cried loud – look
out ! I did not understand what is happening. The noise was from above! I immediately stopped the bike and looked around - and then above – There it is!
– a huge branch of a mango tree from a nearby house is crashing down – it is
coming towards us!
I covered one Nandu
sitting in the front, while Thrupthi covered the other one sitting with her –
within seconds the humongous branch came thudding down splattering its branches
all over. Destiny's grace, the heavy part of the branch fell just in front of
the bike. We four were tangled in its umpteen branches. Nandus gave a scared shrill cry -
by that time people around came running towards us. All were looking at the kids. People
pulled away the branches and we checked if anything hit the kids. No. They are safe
and untouched by the giant fall!
It was then we all looked
around. The branch had not come down all alone. Along with, it has brought down
several dozens of mangoes too! Around us are mangoes strewn all over. Those
who came running became busy picking them. And they made the Nandus too happy
by giving them hands full of mangoes!
Slowly we resumed our ride
laughing and talking about the unique mango shower - yes, with all our
possible hands and pockets laden with rich, ripe mangoes!
On the way back, I
remembered what my father used to say - "We should live our life like a
mango tree. Even if people throw stones at it, it never hurts back, instead it
gives back mangoes." - And now we saw a true mango tree - Even while crumbling
down, it did not hurt anything or anyone. Instead it gave all, all it has -
everyone had their hands full of mangoes and heart full of laughter!
***
