We recently visited Warangal, a historic city in Telangana, famous for its ancient temples, magnificent architecture, and rich cultural heritage. The old stone structures and intricately carved temples stood proudly, narrating stories of a glorious past.
While travelling through one of the busy roads of the city under the blazing summer sun, something simple yet fascinating caught my attention. On the roadside sat an old man on the ground along with a young helper beside a huge pile of greenish-yellow ice apple fruits. A small crowd had gathered around them, patiently waiting for their turn.
Curious, I walked closer and asked, “How much?”
Without even lifting his head fully, as he remained deeply engrossed in pulling out the fruit with a sharp sickle, he replied softly, “100 for a dozen.”
His hands moved swiftly and skillfully. Though busy with customers and the tedious task before him, he made sure not to ignore anyone’s question. The process itself looked exhausting. First, the hard shell had to be peeled carefully without damaging the tender fruit hidden inside. Then came the second and even more delicate task — extracting the soft, jelly-like ice apples neatly from the sturdy shell.
The young helper selected each fruit carefully and peeled it with precision, while the elderly man meticulously pulled out the translucent pulpy treasures hidden inside. Watching them work with such coordination, patience, and expertise was truly admirable.
Unable to hide my curiosity, I asked another question, “How many pieces come from one fruit?”
This time he briefly looked at me for a second, as if ready to scold me , then immediately returned to his work and answered, “Three in one.”
I bought a dozen pieces. The moment I tasted them, I understood why people were crowding around the stall. The ice apples were incredibly juicy, soft, and naturally sweet. Each piece felt like a tiny pouch filled with cooling nectar. In the scorching heat, they were nothing less than nature’s own refreshing drink.
As I relished the fruit, a thought crossed my mind — how wonderfully nature works! It felt as though God had carefully packed so much water and nourishment into such delicate little fruits to help people survive the harsh summer.
Ice apple, also known as palm fruit or tadgola, is not only refreshing but highly nutritious too. It is rich in water content and helps prevent dehydration during summer. It contains essential minerals like potassium, sodium, calcium, and iron, which help maintain the body’s electrolyte balance. It is also a good source of vitamins A, B, and C. Low in calories and naturally cooling, ice apples aid digestion, improve energy levels, and provide instant relief from heat exhaustion.
That brief roadside stop in Warangal became more than just buying a fruit. It became a small lesson in hard work, patience, and the simple blessings of nature that often go unnoticed amidst busy lives.
