The Mango--Cutters

 

Mango Cutter at work

Mango-cutting tool

                        1)   The branches laden with round mangoes bend
                             Raw, sour and green, not yet ripened
                             In diverse shades of green and yellowish brown
                             A colorful bounty by Nature thrown
                             Like parrots peeping through dense leafy glade
                             The mangoes swing in the coolest shade.

                      2)    We went to the market in early hours
                              To look for mangoes fresh and sour
                              A yearly ritual for us to choose and take
                              Raw mangoes for spicy pickles to make;
                              The vendors shouted loud to come and buy
                              Too hard to choose, our luck we have to try.

                     3)      Tasting the samples one by one
                              Too sweet or sour to pick fit ones
                               None can decide and there is none to ask
                               Selection of things--a difficult task ;
                               Our tongue too confused; yet we picked the best
                               To neighbor's judgement we leave the rest.


        

                     4)      Too noisy seemed the market today
                              Through justling crowd we pushed our way
                               Heaps of mangoes in baskets seen
                               Some big, some small in different shades of green
                               Armed with long cutting tools some young boys sat
                               Ready to cut our mangoes on the mat.

                     5)      With bottles of water and a cleaning rag
                              We stood before a boy and opened the bag
                              Swish, swish, he cut the fruits with easy grit
                               Into perfect pieces not wasting a bit;
                               He spread them neatly on a plastic sheet
                               For us to wash and wipe them neat.

            

                    6)       We patted the boy for his well-done deed
                               Agile and active with no sense of greed
                               We gave him a few mango slices along with some tip ;
                               He tasted them with thrill and smacked his lips
                               The mango-cutters had  a lively and busy trade
                               During this time of pickles good profits they made.


    

Ladies preparing the pickle

                         
                 

                 

Pickle stored in the jar

                   7)         The ladies busied themselves to mix and prepare  
                                The pickles in basins with scrupulous care
                                To add spices in right measure with experienced skill
                                A pungent smell tickled our nostrils with thrill
                                When they mixed the mango pickle pouring oil :
                                Getting together they lightened their toil.

                  8)           With ruddy glow the pickle shone like delicious sunrise
                                A welcome gift from summer's surprise
                                Though hot and dry to make us thirsty a lot
                                Cool melons, grapes and mangoes summer brought
                                Her spicy gift throughout the year will last
                                Thrilling our taste buds with her memories hot.

                                 
                   

Mango Pickle in a basin

           Note :
                     1) Mango Cutter-- one who cuts mangoes with a large cutter fitted at one                            end to a long wooden block.  

                     2)  Justle -- push roughly

                     3) grit ---    strength


        
        Dear Readers, "The Mango-Cutters" describes the common scene we notice in bazaars during summer when people are busy in proper selection of raw mangoes to prepare their tasty pickles that will go on stimulating their taste buds throughout the year. A spicy gift for you to taste and enjoy.

                               
    ( Dedicated to All Mango-cutters and women who add spice to our tongues and our lives as well)

  16th May, 2016                                                            Somaseshu Gutala

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