2014-0110 Avocado Story

Dear All -

This week I've had a cold which gives me an excuse to be lazy and not write anything.
So I'll share a story I wrote with you.  Have a great week! - Kevin

The Avocado Tree

Kevin Crittenden August 2011

For Sholo - my sister, friend, teacher and inspiration for this story

There are many who claim that this world has but seven continents. The schools have taught this since time immemorial and, were you to count them on any globe, you would see the truth of it. But there are different truths, and so you must bear with me when I tell you that the story I relate now takes place on the eighth continent which lies far beyond the seventh sea.

In this land of which I speak once lived a young couple who had disdained wealth and, against the better judgment of their parents, family and friends, had married for love. Oh the parents had tried to reason with them, relating terrible stories about the ravages of poverty and how love flies out the window when the wolf is at the door. In vain they had tried to convince their children to better their station in life by choosing mates from well-to-do families. But the children were really no longer children but had become masters of their own fate and so lovingly, but firmly, defied their parents’ heartfelt wishes and joined their lives together.  And so the two became one.

In the course of time, they were blessed with two handsome sons which greatly increased their joy. But joy alone does not fill an empty belly so work they must for the spectre of poverty that they had been warned about was becoming a harsh reality. And this was the situation as their sons grew to be good men and true, finding their own happiness with brides of their own.

Time continues to pass in all lands and so the couple, now well into middle age, were left to themselves once again, as poor in wealth as ever but richly filled with the contentment which springs from a happy union.

On one fine Spring day, while visiting the village, the husband chanced to spot a merchant in the marketplace selling a variety of fruit trees, vines, herbs and bushes. The bushes were covered with aromatic and colorful flowers of the most beautiful description. 

Amidst this glorious profusion, off to one side, was a most unusual tree and it was this tree that caught the husband’s eye. For it was a dwarf avocado tree! He had never before encountered such a thing as a dwarf avocado tree. Always, avocados grow to be huge trees, overshadowing everything else around. His wife was very fond of avocados but their tiny allotment of land had no room for something as large as a full-sized avocado tree. Thoughts of his bride of 35 years filled his mind; how she had given up so much when she had joined her hand to his. How he longed to see that joyous light in her eyes, the roses blooming in her cheeks, that dazzling smile which had first captivated his heart and to hear the delighted clap of her hands as he presented her such an unusual gift as a dwarf avocado tree. So putting aside all practical thoughts, he soon struck a bargain with the merchant and proudly carted his prize home.

Now the wife was more circumspect about money than her husband but did not allow her concern to show. Rather, she participated fully in the joy of the occasion, so as not to dampen her husband’s joy. Together they chose an ideal location to plant the tree where it could receive an ample amount of sun and easily draw up fresh water from a nearby spring. The area around it was tended faithfully, the weeds were cleared away and nutritious materials were dug into the soil to provide sustenance. Truly, this was an ideal spot for the tree and it began to thrive as soon as it was planted. Beyond the physical comforts the tree enjoyed, it also was nourished by the energies of love and kinship between the husband and wife which extended beyond the walls of the rude hut in which they lived.

Still, one can push away the realities of life only so long and soon it became time to deal with the debt that had been incurred by the rash purchase of the avocado tree. Well, as predicted long ago by their worried parents, they hadn’t been able to set aside any money in savings so there was no recourse but for both the husband and wife to take on additional work. The husband, still somewhat spry though advanced in years, sought work as a laborer but jobs were rather difficult to come by as the townspeople favored sturdy youths with stout arms and legs. Meanwhile, the wife beseeched the upper class women of the village for washing, mending, ironing and housecleaning chores.

And so life went on this way over the course of several years; the man and his wife toiling away to pay their debt which, due to the interest on the loan, never seemed to get any smaller. At the end of each day, they pooled together their meager earnings and, if it had been a good day, put aside what they could towards the repayment. Hugging each other, they comforted themselves with the thought that better days lay ahead and this hope gave them renewed energy to meet the demands of the morrow.

Meanwhile, the avocado tree basked and prospered in the special place of honor given to it in the garden. Now what no one knew or even suspected was that this particular tree was the home of an indwelling yakshini or spirit which soon grew conscious of the couple and the wonderful care and devotion given to the tree. 

And, as the tree matured, the spirit could sense the feelings of love between the husband and wife but she also was cognizant of the feelings of despair and anxiety created by the crushing burden of the debt that ever rippled around the edges of their relationship. This was troubling to the yakshini and so she pondered for awhile.

Being of a most benevolent nature, the yakshini wanted to reward the couple for their faithful stewardship so decided to bestow a gift on them. From then on, she decided, the tree would produce a veritable cornucopia of perfect avocados each season. And, as it grew older, the crop would only increase, even though the tree was only a dwarf.

And so it happened this way. Ever since the couple had planted the tree, it had grown larger and more beautiful but as yet no fruit had appeared. This was not thought unusual, for avocado trees do take awhile to begin producing. But this year, when the husband and wife went out to tend their garden, they noticed something very odd. As usual, as they approached it, the tree had the appearance of a dwarf, that is, compact and smallish in stature. Yet when they drew close and stood next to its trunk, the tree seemed immense, with delicate branches that gracefully arched over their heads to provide a beautiful, leafy bower. More than that, the surprised couple saw that the avocado tree had produced several dozen perfect fruits! When had this happened?

 Delighted, the man carefully harvested an avocado and presented it to his wife, who held it for a long time, admiring the perfect shape, size and color. No blemish could be found anywhere on its skin. Soon afterwards, they also discovered the perfection of the avocado’s texture and taste.

They quickly harvested the fruits and took them to market the very next day where they sold very quickly because of their fine qualities. And, for the first time, the couple was able to put a substantial payment towards the principle on their debt.  It seemed that a cloud was finally being lifted from their hearts. The yakshini noticed this change and felt it to be good. And so the next year saw a greatly increased yield, again of perfect fruits, which quickly sold in the marketplace. This time, the man and his wife were able to give some of the fruits to their friends and neighbors who brought their own bounty in return. Now, the couple was able to enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. As they began to eat better, they began to feel better and indeed it seemed like life was improving. As always, they continued to lovingly tend the avocado tree with its indwelling yakshini which felt their goodness and continued to bless them with fine and abundant crops of avocados.

The day soon came when their debt was completely repaid and they were able to finally set aside some savings for their old age. But only a modest amount of money is necessary to ensure a comfortable living for a couple with only modest needs and soon they were able to quit their extra jobs. Everyone in the neighboring villages by now had heard about the wonderful avocados and eagerly lined up on market day, so the couple were always able to sell every fruit they had.

In this manner, they soon became wealthy, which eventually attracted the notice of the king. The king thought that the husband must be an exceptional man and wanted to know more about him. So courtiers were dispatched to request the husband’s presence at court to which the husband willingly obliged as, being good and wise, the king was looked on with favor by the entire populace.

The palace was, as you might expect, the grandest and most lavish building in the whole land and the husband had never set foot inside it before. So he dawdled and gawked at everything he saw, trying to memorize it all so he could relate it to his wife later on. She would want to know every detail, of course. Finally, he was ushered into the presence of the king himself who welcomed him warmly, for that was the kind of king he was. After asking the husband some details about his life and family, the king broached the subject that was foremost in his thoughts. He asked the husband how it came to be that a poor tenant farmer could improve his lot in life so very much and in so short a time.  It could not only be through hard work, stated the king, since most of the tenant farmers also worked very hard and certainly they were still poor. Could it have been through some sort of inheritance?

The husband laughed gently and told the king that no, he was alone in the world now except for his wife and sons so had no expectation of any inheritance. And then he began telling the story of the avocado tree and how it must be inhabited by a most benevolent yakshini who continued to bestow such favors upon the couple. He told the king how each year, the bounty of perfect avocados grew by leaps and bounds and that no disease or animals ever attacked the tree. He continued on to tell how he sold some of the fruits at market for a fair price and that he gave others to his neighbors and relatives who, in turn, shared their bounty with the couple.  And why, mused the king, should the tree continue to bestow such a bounty each year? To this the husband replied that truly, he did not know except that the tree was always tended as best they could in the same manner as all the other plants in their garden.

 Just then, the king’s wise counselor stepped forward and stated that he believed there was yet another reason for the tree’s benevolence. Continuing on, the counselor said that truly, the tree had experienced the wonderful bond of love between the couple and the yakshini was nourished by that love. Delightedly, the king clapped his hands together and then appointed the husband to be the Chief Steward of all the king’s lands. As a token of his new station, the husband received a gift of gold and precious stones which the husband promptly had made into finely wrought rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings for his wife. The wife, meanwhile, was very excited to hear about all these things but thought that such beautiful jewelry should be worn on one’s wedding day and so put it aside for her first-born granddaughter.

The husband now thought that he had no proper gift for his wife and was somewhat despondent, but a wise woman knows her husband and so she quickly reassured him that no jewelry could compare to the priceless treasure she had in him.  And so the couple continued to prosper even more than before, sharing their bounty with those less fortunate. Under the stewardship of the husband, the land also prospered, bringing wealth and prosperity to the people at a level never seen before in the kingdom. 

And the avocado tree, with the benevolent yakshini, continues to prosper to this day and you will never find such beautiful avocados anywhere else in this world.

The Avocado Tree - Chapter II

Kevin Crittenden December 2011

Our story has not yet really begun, for now I wish to relate how the husband and wife came to meet and, for that, we need to turn our gaze backwards in time. Imagine the couple now as the years flow backwards. Do you see them standing straighter? leaner? less wrinkled? the grey dissolving like mist from their hair?  And here we’ll stop, at a time just before they have met. Regard them in the fullness of their youth. How silken her long, raven tresses seem as she reposes before the mirror, lovingly brushing the comb slowly through her hair. Now notice the sparkle in his eyes and the spring in his step as he nimbly gathers wood for the evening fire.

For you see, neither are of noble birth, so the course of love for them must travel a different path than that of princes and princesses who have few of the same obstacles that hinder the lives of their subjects.

But look at him now. Where did the boy go that saw girls only as chattering nuisances with silly ideas and impractical clothes? How differently he sees the young women now, the budding fullness of their alluring lips and flashing eyes, the fascinating curves of their graceful necks, the daintiness of their hands and delicate wrists and the marvelous transformation of their bodies. How true it is that for men, women are the most beautiful things that they will ever see.

And now look at her. The little girl that saw boys only as annoying, dirty ruffians who couldn’t sit still for a moment or hold an intelligent conversation. Where has she gone? How differently she sees the young men now, noting how tall they’ve grown and secretly admiring their strength, skill and confidence.

But, alas, they could not see themselves with our eyes, so did not know how beautiful they both were.

‘Who could love me,’ he thinks, ‘with my scrawny body and ugly countenance? Everything I say sounds foolish, like a half-wit. I wish I could be more like the popular fellows that the girls seem to admire.’

And so he goes about his business in solitude and secret shame.

‘Who could love me,’ she thinks, ‘with these fat thighs and work-worn hands? My cooking tastes terrible and my needlework resembles a spider’s web. How I wish I could be more like the pretty and popular girls that know how to attract the young men.’

And so she goes about her business with a heavy heart and wistful smile.

One day, she needs to go on an errand for her mother which takes her through the same part of the forest where he is gathering wood for the evening fire. Mildly distracted by the chirping of bulbuls in a nearby kadam tree, she comes around a bend to a small clearing, where she suddenly sees him picking up a few sticks to add to the bundle he is carrying.  Alerted by her footsteps he looks up.

She stops.

Neither is sure what to do or say, yet neither wants to leave.  

Finally he manages to blurt out ‘Hello’, as his eyes try to capture the beauty before him.

‘Hello’, she replies, her eyes demurely downcast as she has been taught, wishing she could fully return his gaze. In her mind, she replays his image as she first saw him.

An awkward silence grows as he desperately tries to think what lines the popular boys would use at this point. Coming up empty, he finally lets that go and lets the poet within him fill the space between them with language which entrances her. She responds in kind, her lyrical voice filling and captivating his heart. They finally part, agreeing to meet again the next day in the clearing.

That evening, he seemed distracted which attracted his mother’s attention, and so she began to talk about his day while slowly stirring the dal. Finally, after a bit of gentle prodding, he told her about his meeting with the most marvelous girl. His mother had known that this day was coming and felt joy mixed with sorrow, knowing that his future happiness meant that their lives must now diverge. Life goes on and her son must someday leave to become a man his parents could be proud of. Mother and Father then talked together. Naturally, they worried about his ability to support a family and hoped that the girl came from a well-to-do family.

At the same time, in another household, her mother noticed the change in her daughter – the flushed cheeks, constant smile, and distracted manner. She began talking to her daughter in the way that parents do and again, the story was related of her meeting with the most handsome and intelligent young man. Her mother had dreamed of this day with the promise of a secure future for her daughter and the possibility of future generations. Mother and Father then talked together. Naturally, they were concerned about the ability of this unknown young man to support their daughter and any children and hoped that he came from a more prosperous family.

Thoughts of wealth are nowhere to be found that next day in the sunlit clearing where the couple meets, for (although they do not realize it yet) they indeed are a couple. How anxiously they had waited for this meeting, neither one knowing what might happen. He gathers wood again and nervously drops a few sticks upon her approach. As one, they bend down to retrieve the sticks.

Their hands meet.

Their eyes meet.

She does not look down today.

When they depart the clearing this time, they leave behind the remnants of their childhood.

Time passed – a few days, weeks or months. Lovers do not count these things, they only count the minutes apart from each other. They knew now that their lives would be intertwined forever if only . . .

…if only they could support themselves. Well-meaning friends gave practical advice:

‘You cannot marry any girl until you have enough money to buy some land and build a house. And how will you earn that money? What can you do?’

‘Reject this boy, there are plenty of handsome young men from wealthier families. How can this one support you? And what will you do when the children come?’

Their parents advised against the marriage as well:

‘Surely you can find a girl with a better dowry? How else will you live? You cannot stay here if you are married! Anyway, there is plenty of time for that later, right now your father and I need you here. We are getting old and you must help us.’

‘Oh, Shona, this is only the first boy you’ve met! You will soon forget him when you find someone more handsome and wealthy who can care for a wife and family. You know we cannot afford a good dowry and you will need one to take care of yourself if a crisis comes. Also, we know nothing about his family; who knows what kind of people they are? Probably itinerant chattee-makers, living on the road. What kind of a life is that for our daughter?’

Love overcomes objections like these but the hardest trials come from within.

He arrives early at the clearing and his heart quickens as she approaches from the shade of a neem tree. They now stand together, each not knowing how to begin. Finally, hesitatingly, he begins to speak.

‘Oh,’ he says, casting his eyes to the ground, ‘I have been selfish in wanting you for myself. You can do much better than me. With me, your future is likely to be a life of struggle and poverty.

 My family is not rich and will not help us. I have been accepted on a trial basis as a teacher at the school, you know how I love children, but there is little money in teaching and you will never be a rich memsaab as you should be.’

She listens respectfully to him while fidgeting with her palloo and responds:

 ‘Listen, Babuji, what nonsense you are speaking. Do you think that gold and silver can be more important than love? Do you think I could be happy knowing that my dear husband was chasing money at a job he detests instead of following his heart and blessing the lives of children? Put all such thoughts into a hollow gourd and toss them into the sea. But I, too, need to say something to you. My family is not rich so cannot afford a dowry for me other than these bangles I am wearing. Please do not be angry. I am not as pretty as the other girls, surely they would be standing in line for you and . . .’

She is unable to complete her thoughts as he bends down and seals her lips with his kisses.

Soon afterwards, despite the continuing objections of parents, family and friends they did set a date for the wedding. Eventually, yielding to the strength of true love, their parents, family and friends changed course and joyously supported the couple with a wedding celebration that was remembered with fondness throughout the village for years to come.