Aahaa Chennai

A surfeit of lemons stare from the basket. The outcome, inevitably, glasses of refreshing lemon juice, grandma's red or yellow pickle a tangy drip drip added to stews, dals, rice, plus lemons distributed to one and all. Looking thankfully at my lemon plant, I notice a difference. Leaves gathered together, almost like being stitched. Upon closer look... a crisis situation. The trouble maker arrives, his troops follow. The result...in a word...SCARY The gathering gets busier. Decision is made - ravaging troops to scatter all over the garden. The lionhearted lemon plant stands incredibly brave, knowing help will arrive. Has weathered many a storm, a jumble of ups and downs. High up in the sky above, the dark clouds holding sway, seem to have melted away.

Upon sighting the lonely soul words slip out... sturdy looking, can survive rough conditions, and  carry on for years. Come rain or shine, it'll always be there, dull but dependable, and even those marauding insects shy away. An unusual shape that stands out, watch it growing taller, even as the hot sun takes its toll on the more fragile green neighbours. Ah yes! Coming to those negative points. Not appealing to the eye, detracts from the beauty of your beguiling ornamentals, the crooked leaves and thorns makes you want to conceal it. The heart of the matter is... let the positive vibes the positive energy, that positive 'wonderful' feel slip out first. Psst! A secret. With some help, even the 'negative' becomes positively... blooming. Cheers!👏

Deftly tucked away, far from the endless honking, smoke spewing vehicles, dust, crowds, plucking hands and nibbling teeth, I am feeling zippy, despite crouching on the edge. Just a matter of making do with available resources and  add to this... my sinews are made of sterner stuff! Watch me clinging tight for dear life, while relishing the idea of an element of drama or danger as compared to my brethren, yet cheerily singing a green song... kudos to a survivor. See me happily engaged in watching  curious eyes moving upward, gazing, lil' hands pointing wondering how... I  am enjoying an 'exalted' moment. Coo,coo! The pigeon cleaning his feathers on the nearby windowsill cooes in agreement.

You'll no find no desks here. Neither a blackboard nor a smartboard. No chalk or duster but nevertheless call it a quaint classroom, teeming with unexpected surprises. Fellow classmates are the bold butterflies, the bellicose bees, curious squirrels, talkative birds and hardworking ants. From tender buds to exquisitely crafted flowers, to the beginnings of wee fruits, to  lil' fruits proudly growing up, to exciting bunches of lemony delights, to a hidden giant nudged out gently a 'LESSON' unfolds. Nature has thrown open  the doors of her glorious classroom. Uff! A hot day. The gentle sea breeze laughs as she swings by.

A busy life I lead, scouring the streetside trash bins, searching for bits of food among the crushed cartons, a hotchpotch of plastic waste, miscellaneous rubbish and the inevitably dumped empty plastic bottles. Having tasted remains of sambhar, pizza, noodles, a gooey concoction of mixed up, leftover and sometimes spoilt food, my head aching from sighting and segregating  food from the overflowing bin, from dredging out thrown away food from knotted plastic carrybags, I am finally sated. Watch me relish wholesome home cooked food. Caw Caw! Next item on my agenda... to polish my beak.

The pages were filled with sketches of arches reflecting contemporary and traditional styles plus an eclectic mix but to none to match what stood out in a patch of green. A whisper floated through the breeze. I may be maimed, ravaged, torn, pummelled by forces beyond me but here I am, a hardy survivor. Step under this arch... You'll know what it means to be a TREE.

I am sad coz it's not a fair world. Those fat mangoes get all the likes. Hidden amidst the foliage, hanging on for dear life, unnoticed yet by ravenous crows and scampering squirrels, three perfectly sculpted, unusual summer delights lie in waiting. Vitamins plus minerals, loads of antioxidants, chock full of energy, you name it, we have it. A  many seeded, uniquely flavoured, often sidelined treat from nature's treasury, we seek your attention.      Get your 'CA'  now. Drown your tastebuds in CA milkshake. CA? That's my new moniker, CA for Custard Apple, so that folks out there take notice. Looking forward to moving high up the rungs from being a lowly cousin of the royal apple.