Fish vendor

Today’s speciality, fish curry and rice, read the menu for the day at our local hotel. My mouth watered as I entered to savour the tangy coconut fish curry doused with a sour fruit  called ‘bimblies.’ This with hot boiled rice is the staple diet for most non vegetarians living along the coast of South Kanara district.

 Fish is a delicacy all over the world, while the Japanese like it raw, marinated with various sauces, a few of our American friends used to go fishing for rock fish, a delicious succulent fish, eaten baked. 

When we lived in Bethesda, Maryland, our frequent visit was to ‘Maria’ fish place to pick up the famous Maryland ‘blue crab.’ The shop owner used to take pride in catching the still alive crabs and pack them for us.  A tussle ensured at home of getting these guys out of our car without getting a ‘well deserved’ pinch or two!

 As I write my article, I can hear our fish vendor blowing his ‘fishy’ horn announcing the arrival of fish. Why the name fishy horn is because this is the unique horn call for sale of fish.  We have our regular fish vendor who does his rounds every morning and who is an epitome of punctuality.

There are times when I realise how I have depended on his timing to be on time for my appointments, especially when our wall clock suddenly decides to take time off! Well, to explore his basket of fish calls for a thrill like no other.

The cane basket strapped on to his cycle is lined with a customary sheet of blue plastic with fish laid out in different categories. The man’s humane gestures are another virtue we admire. A cat happened to give birth to eight pesky kittens who I think were born with their noses sharpened to dexterity for fish.

So the moment they started walking on their four limbs they too mastered punctuality and never failed to greet the fish vendor for their share of fish. I must say they are quite a cuddly number.

His cheerful demeanour and generosity never fail to amaze. Rain or shine the man has been coming this side from the last 16 years. He seems to stand in time with not a grey hair or wrinkle on his face.The innocence he exudes probably adds to the secret of youthfulness and  the extra fish he puts in our packets is what we need to ponder over. Sometimes with so much at hand we find it difficult to give that ‘extra’ to someone.

The city has developed, but these add on’s of fish coming home, vegetable vendors announcing their ‘tarakari,’ the knife sharpener shouting ‘kathichane’ add a jest to life.. Thank you, Lord, for our children can experience that piece of humanity that still is a part of this world.