Red-Green Cherries

Nearly half a century old, I still love the cherry fruit of Malaysia. I prefer not the red juicy cherry but the red-green cherry on the verge of ripening. After school or during school holidays I would almost always be a permanent resident of the cherry tree that belonged to my neighbour. The cherry tree was luscious and most of its branches over the roof. I would climb the tree and make believe that the cherry tree was my home. I kept picking and eating the red-green cherries. Often Tok would pass by the road in front and call my name out load. I would remain still until she passed by. And then continued in my make-believe world. I always thought that Tok could not see me, but now I'm certain that she did. When I returned home my pockets would be full of cherries and quite often crushed.

وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء بِقَدَرٍ فَأَسْكَنَّاهُ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّا عَلَى ذَهَابٍ بِهِ لَقَادِرُونَ
فَأَنشَأْنَا لَكُم بِهِ جَنَّاتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ لَّكُمْ فِيهَا فَوَاكِهُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَاء تَنبُتُ بِالدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْآكِلِينَ

Al-Mu'minun 23:18-20 And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease). With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment), Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.