Orchard

Grandmother's weathered hands guided mine through the mango grove she'd tended for fifty years. Each tree bore witness to our family's story, their branches heavy with golden fruit. She whispered ancient Tamil verses, Avvaiyar's wisdom about patience and virtue flowing like nectar between us. "These orchards feed us," she said softly. "They teach us to earn honestly, to give generously." The glorious sunset painted the leaves bronze. I understood then—this wasn't just about harvesting mangoes or inheriting land. It was about stewardship, about becoming worthy of what we receive. Our roots ran deep here, intertwined with earth and tradition, binding generations together.