CHOTI
ELAICHI
LT
COL NOEL ELLIS
02/XII/2021
It was after a
fortnight that we returned to our village in Maharashtra. By the time we got
in, it was late night. The weather had been unkind as the turbulence we
experienced on the plane said it all. There was a prediction of a storm and
heavy rains for the next three days.
The first baby to
greet us was none other than Oreo. He was mad at us and his body language said
it all. We had to explain the reason for our absence. Once satisfied he let us
get into the house.
Moment Oreo left
the main door I rushed to the window and looked outside and I could hardly
believe my eyes that all pots and plants were fine on Ellis' drive. Everything
was where we had left them. The ‘in detail’ check would be done the next day.
I could not resist
the temptation to caress each plant. This feeling can only be understood by a
plant lover. The weather continued to be nasty. It was pitch dark even till 8
am and rained incessantly. One kept waiting for a window of ‘no rain’ but it
was not to be till 11 am. A visit to the backyard could not be overlooked. Even
if it was all slish-slosh, the effort was worth it as most of the fruit trees
are growing there.
As I approached the
‘Green Cardamom’ bush, which was just a little sprout brought from Kerala, my
eyes couldn’t believe what I saw. It has been four years waiting for the
results. The first signs were now visible. It was flowering for the first time.
The first blooms were battered by the rain. Many leaves were showing a little
redness in the centre, which is the sign of flowering to appear.
It was unbelievable
but hard work, patience and perseverance has paid. From a pot, to the ground
where it was left to blossom was now giving results. From a baby with two
leaves, it has turned into a bush of multiple leaves. The proof of the pudding
would be in the eating when the cardamom pods would sprout from underneath. We
may not have the privilege to see them as we shall be leaving shortly but this
plant is happy and from now on would fruit regularly (if people leave it in one
piece).
It has the
‘Mulberry Bush’ on one side and ‘Lookat’ on the other. I planted them next to
each other as they had arrived together. The mulberry is more than ten feet
high and the lookat is also spreading its branches. In another year or so they
too should bear fruit.
As they say trees
planted by someone ensures that someone else enjoys the fruit. We shall leave
them here in the same spirit. Hope to return one day and see our ‘choti
elaichi’ flourishing. Will we? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!
JAI HIND
© NOEL ELLIS
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