Fragrant season

These days, every time I browse Facebook, what catches my eye more are a series of photos or clips of autumnal gifts. Here is a package of soft, jade-green sticky rice from Vong village wrapped in lotus leaves, next to a couple of ripe bananas. Here is a branch of persimmons laden with ripe red fruit placed in a rustic ceramic vase, making the space more profound and warm with the scent of autumn. Isn’t it true that persimmons are still considered a symbol of autumn, of happiness? So, someone once said that a fresh persimmon is enough to brighten up a beautiful season.

However, the gift that captivated me the most was the star fruit. The star fruit came from the story my grandmother told, existing in the basket hanging above my bed after a market day. When I was a child, every time I went to the market in autumn, my grandmother would buy me a few star fruits that were golden and fragrant with the color of the sun.

Ripe and fragrant star apples in autumn. **Photo: TB**

Grandma said the most precious thing about star fruit is its fragrance, to be used for looking at and contemplating. Then she sat down meticulously, arranged each piece of thread, and worked hard to weave a small basket to put the star fruit in and hang it at the head of the bed or by the window. When I was a little older, I learned from my grandmother how to weave a basket, replacing the thread with pieces of wool of various colors. Since then, autumn for me is not only the season of fragrant star fruit but also the season of brilliant colors, the season of touching memories.

The other day, I ordered some custard apples. The seller’s text message made my heart ache: “First season custard apples, I sell by the kilo. Don’t worry, if you live far away, I will choose green ones, when you receive the goods, they will be ripe and fragrant.” Suddenly, memories came flooding back with so much emotion.

I softly hummed the verses from the poem “Talk to You” by poet Vu Quan Phuong: “If you close your eyes and listen to grandma tell stories/You will see the fairies/See the boy wearing seven-mile shoes/The fragrant star apple, the very gentle Tam/If you close your eyes and think of your parents/Who raised you up day by day/Carrying you in their arms, working hard day and night/Eyes closed, then open again immediately”.

I just realized, season after season passes by me, leading the scent of the flower to sink deep into my memories, drawing a region of memories. Therefore, there are things I always know for sure that I can never forget. Like the innocent and pure love of my school days. Like the love of family, homeland, and roots...

Late afternoon, when the wind sneaked a bit of the season's chill, I leisurely drove down to An Phu vegetable village to visit. The vast fields, the fresh green of the vegetable beds mixed with the clear blue sky, made the view even more immense. Walking barefoot in the fields, I felt the soft warmth of the soil mixed with the desolation of the yellowing grass. Occasionally, the strong scent of young basil drifted in the wind. The space was so peaceful.

Walking along the edge of the field, I happily took a deep breath of the fresh, clean scent. What caught my eye was the green canopy of the avocado tree laden with fruit. A few more steps and a purple guava tree appeared before me.

Purple guava adds color to the season. **Photo: TB**

Asking the person who was diligently cutting vegetables nearby, she said that the avocado tree was planted by her father as a way to mark the family's land ownership, not only providing shade when resting between working in the fields but also providing delicious fruit. The purple guava tree was planted by her, a few years ago, now the branches have grown tall and are bearing sweet fruit.

Reaching out to pick a ripe guava, I was absorbed in enjoying the flavor of the season. My heart was filled with emotion when I touched the purple-red color of the leaves, the fruit, and the rich fragrance. Seeing me constantly exclaiming, the landlady smiled happily and said that guava flowers also have a purple color, looking very cute. Her words made me imagine a purple guava garden in my dreams. If this purple guava variety were planted in a garden, it might become an attractive destination for many people, including me.

Isn't it true that today's An Phu was formed in the early 20th century by the ancestors of Binh Dinh who went up the mountain to the highlands, chose Phu Tho and An My to open up land to establish villages, and built a life by growing vegetables and rice. Together, they created a delta village in the Central Highlands rich in identity. The green area of An Phu has its shape and form from there. So, if that green area were decorated with the fragrance and color of purple guava trees, it would be much more beautiful.

And, autumn from then on also added fragrance...

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/mua-thom-post564566.html