Papaya

 

Permit me share with you two precious childhood memories of Papaya (Carica papaya)

The first, nothing like a tree-ripened papaya, orange-red on the inside and out. Honey sweet, delicious to the last bite, especially with a twist of lime. Juice dripping down your hands and mouth made the experience even more memorable.

The second is a reference to this delightful tropical fruit as 'pawpaw' in one of my favorite Disney's animated cartoon, 'Jungle Book' based on the 1894 collection of stories of the same name by the English author Rudyard Kipling. It recalls how a boy brought up in the wild junles of Seeonee Hills (Seoni) in Madhya Pradesh is returned to civilization for his own safety.

One of the more playful characters  Baloo the Bear, sings 'The Bare Necessities' [click here for video] to teach Mowgli the philosophy of simple living and finding joy in the present moment - something that I have come to embrace in retirement

His message:

• Don’t worry about unnecessary things – life is better when you let go of stress and focus on what you truly need.
• Enjoy the natural world; it provides everything you need if you know where to look.
• Embrace a grateful attitude and be content, because happiness doesn't come from chasing after more, but from appreciating what’s already around you.

Lyrics of Bare Necessities

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

Old Mother Nature's recipes

That brings the bare necessities of life

Wherever I wander, wherever I roam

I couldn't be fonder of my big home

The bees are buzzin' in the tree

To make some honey just for me

When you look under the rocks and plants

And take a glance at the fancy ants

Then maybe try a few

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you!

Look for the bare necessities

The simple bare necessities

Forget about your worries and your strife

I mean the bare necessities

That's why a bear can rest at ease

With just the bare necessities of life

Now when you pick a pawpaw

Or a prickly pear

And you prick a raw paw

Well, next time beware

Don't pick the prickly pear by the paw

When you pick a pear

Try to use the claw

But you don't need to use the claw

When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw;

Have I given you a clue?

The bare necessities of life will come to you

They'll come to you!

"So just try and relax, yeah cool it

Fall apart in my backyard

'Cause let me tell you something, little britches

If you act like that bee acts – uh-uh

You're working too hard

And don't spend your time lookin' around

For something you want that can't be found"

When you find out you can live without it

And go along not thinkin' about it

I'll tell you something true

The bare necessities of life will come to you