LESSONS FROM A MANGO TREE

and how it is in giving that you receive

In a quiet corner of our garden stands a mango tree, its roots deeply entrenched into alluvial coastal soil and its branches spreading generously across the sky. Its evergreen canopy of deep green leaves provides oxygen and shade and a sense of comfort to urban eyes strained by constant use of smartphones and other screens. Its rugged, dark brown trunk offers itself as a support for the wines of an Epipremnum Aureum (commonly known as the money plant) climber that clings to it. In the shade of its massive crown many smaller plant species thrive, as do the various birds and insects. Squirrels scurry around its undulating branches as they go about their daily regimen forming a happy microcosm within the tree and its furry, feathery and leafy friends. 

Looking up at the embrace of our mango tree. Image: Author

In the months of January, the dense green cover of the mango tree comes abloom with a spray of tiny golden-pink flowers. Soon it is summer, and the flowers transform into fleshy green mangoes, the branches of the mango tree bending low under the sheer weight of its produce. 

Summers in Mumbai can be oppressively warm and humid, the air thick with moisture and the sun glowering upon its expanse. As the outdoors get sticky and avoidable the one thing that makes the weather bearable is the profusion of mangoes in the bazaars and homes.

Meals transform to accommodate mangoes in various forms - sweet and sour chutneys, tangy curries and fiery pickles are rustled up using raw mangoes. However, it is the luscious, fleshy ripe mango that forms the centre-piece at most dining tables. From the delectable aamras (mango puree seasoned with mild flavours) to ice-creams, shakes and smoothies, mango is truly the king of fruit in many parts of India. Nothing beats the joy of slicing a juicy, ripe mango, sinking your teeth into its flesh and letting its sharp sweetness take over.  

Raw mango pickle, Raw mango curry and Aamras with poori

At our home, summertime is taken over by the activity of picking, sorting, ripening and distributing the yield of mangoes from our garden. The process is time-consuming but fun and in many ways meditative and therapeutic. Over time, it has taught us some important lessons about the ways of the universe. 

Every time I see the profusion of mangoes that land up (literally) at our doorstep I cannot help being amazed at the abundance of nature. I marvel at how the tree started off as stone from another mango eaten over half a century ago - a part of the mango that is often discarded as trash. But someone I love, looked at that stone and saw a mango tree. She planted it in her garden, nurtured it with love and care and left it behind for us to share with the world. Every alternate summer, that one stone of a mango transformed into a sprawling mango tree showers us with hundreds of mangoes with hundreds of stones that can turn into countless numbers of trees…

Mangoes from our tree getting readied for distribution. Image: Author

The key to this abundance however, lies in the act of giving. You plant a seed and patiently nurture it and nature gives back a bountiful supply of fruit year upon year.

The only condition being that we need to first give in order to receive abundantly. 

“For it is in giving that we receive.”

– St. Francis of Assisi

A mango tree provides oxygen, shade, beauty to the world, it provides a home to other life forms, and above all, it bestows its most unique produce - its fruit to anyone who wants to freely relish it. A mango tree does not judge the character of the taker, it does not complain about lack of love or nourishment, it does not discriminate between race, class or gender; it just gives wholeheartedly to whoever reaches out to the fruit, because giving is its true nature. 

What if we embodied the spirit of abundance that lies in a mango tree? 

What if we first gave the universe what we are looking for - wealth, love, honest relationships, appreciation, forgiveness, justice? What if every single day we gave out something - good thoughts, good vibes, kind words, acts of compassion? 

“The world is an echo chamber.”

- Rashmi Uday Singh

As we surrender ourselves to the trials and joys of the Indian summer, let us enjoy its fruit (pun intended) and celebrate abundance, that is the very true nature of the universe. 

If you are still reading this, I am very grateful. May you be blessed with the abundance of the universe. Do share, subscribe and comment this reader supported publication.