Sisals And Children

From a distance it looked like the sisal plant on the right had sprouted tan seed pods. I'd never seen anything on them before other than the stalk it sends up regularly. 

The closer I got to this plant the more I realized something had been placed on the end of each sharp point. But what? And why?

Perhaps in honor of Makeni's 40th celebration, Mrs. Dil had decorated the succulent. After talking to Mrs. Dil and her house helper, Lily, I learned that

the empty eggs were placed on the sisal by Mrs. Dil's tenant, Mala. Mala and her husband live in the flat we rented while our house was being renovated. They are a friendly, East Indian couple, whose children are studying abroad in the States.

A tradition with Mala and her children when they were young was to hang painted eggs on trees. No particular time of year; no particular reason. Just a practice similiar to a tradition in the States around Eastertime. Here the sisal was a perfect choice as there's no need to use ribbons or string. Just impale them on the plant!

When I learned about Mala's tradition, it made me wonder if she is missing her children. Perhaps I ought to pay her a visit~I love her creativity, and we probably have a lot in common!