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Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai

A bonsai is placed above an artificial pool in the garden with its branch flowing downwards towards the water. It resembles a mini green waterfall pouring into the pool a stream of freshness. The leaves have an extraordinary texture, thick and rich, substantial but weightless.

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Originally uploaded by Wanchen Tai

Since last week, the small tree of bell fruit has been laden with red bells in our front garden. Dad is extremely proud of his efforts and have been counting the rubies everyday.

Although 'wax apple' or 'java apple' seems to be more true to its texture, its alias-- bell fruit-- is certainly more accurate in visual terms. As a popular nickname 'bell fruit' is always preferable to me. Such a poetic alternative projects a romantic imagination about summer! They would be ringing delicious melody between leaves in an orchard, if its heavenly taste and smell could be translated into audial patterns.

These bells on our small tree are just miniatures in comparison with those sold in the market. Unsellable though they are surely jewels, the apples of Dad's eye.

I love looking at them, especially their fat bottoms. It's always amazing to see how the shape is formed and the pattern created. Hanging upsdie down, they resemble flowers in blossom, flowers with the sweetest petals in the world.


K and his families were amazed at this tropical produce when they tasted it for the first time last month. I am not scientifically knowledgeable enough to know whether or not it is genetically related to apple at all, but they all agreed on the similarity between apple and wax apple. (Strangely though I had never thought so before they mentioned it.)

Our tree is too small to bear edible or sweet bell fruit in the end, but the visual delight they offer is nothing inferior to the excitement that they bring to the palate.