My Fruitful Mango Tree

In my backyard, there is a mango tree.

It is a bud-grafted tree and it has been with us for 6 years.

We have been waiting patiently for it to fruit every year.

But for the first 2 years, what we saw were only thick branches and dense leaves.

We were a little depressed, praying that it would not be a fruitless mango tree.

Then we had our first harvest — we had counted about 10 mangoes on the tree.

These are oblong shaped mangoes and they taste so tangy, sweet and delicious.

But........... why only 10 mangoes? (The human heart is never satisfied.)

We started to read up and ask around.

Some said we had to prune the branches and thin the leaves every now and then.

Some said we had to start a fire and smoke the tree every now and then.

Some said we had to hurt the tree by nailing it with many nails....

We did prune the branches and thin the leaves.

We did smoke the tree by starting a small fire underneath it.

But to nail the tree............... oh, no........ too cruel for our mango tree.

Then came our second harvest....

This time we had 20 mangoes.

Our third harvest was even more, reaching almost 50 mangoes.

Every year we anticipated more and more....

And thank to God, this year we have about 200 mangoes.

*******

We share our mangoes with family members, relatives, friends, and neighbors.

Surprisingly each year we have more and more mangoes to share. (I've a hearty laugh!)

In return, they will give us fruits and vegetables they have planted in the yard.

By and by, our relationship, our love and respect for one another have improved and strengthened.

Thanks, my fruitful mango tree.....