Mango Thieves

Tia was taking her afternoon nap, she heard a loud thud and got up. The deafening noise came from outside, she went to the window and saw a bunch of kids outside the boundary wall and one long and lanky boy on the mango tree. Tia rushed out of the room to alert the elders. The living room door was ajar her grandmother and mother were sitting on the floor going through the contents of an old trunk. Tia told them about the mango thieves and strode out to drive them. Grandmother stopped her saying she was aware of the kids raiding the mango tree, her announcement surprised Tia.

Grandmother said she had planted the fruit trees near the boundary wall on purpose, the unprivileged people when seeing the fruits often come and urge for them. She asks them to pluck and take. But some wild kids love to climb trees. Tia was curious if someone falls and get hurt. Grandmother pacified her saying climbing trees is their routine adventure and they know nobody would drive them, moreover this is the only way they won't feel obliged in addition to get to eat fresh mangoes, guavas, star-fruits custard-apples, etc.

Grandmother said as a kid she too climbed trees especially the star-fruit. In the summer months when the men came home from the fields and took afternoon siesta and women after finishing household chorus gathered in the courtyard for chitchats, kids sneaked out and the whole afternoon was spent climbing trees or pelting stones at the mango and star-fruit trees. Raw mangoes or star-fruits were collected, sliced, salt, and chili-powder sprinkled and relished. Those were the days of carelessness, sharing, adventures, and enjoying the summer fruits.