After a lot of theorizing, charting, and a randomly added flannel graph, the mystery has all but been solved. The nanny was ruled out. The gardener was ruled out. And my new theory (that I backed with much passion and fervor) about wall jumpers was ruled out.

The landowner’s son arrived from out of town and requested a walk-through of the garden. Of course, the topic of the mysteriously disappearing mangoes came up in conversation. After presenting each theory, the final and more accurate “stupid foreigner not collecting the mangoes in time before they rotted” theory was presented and enthusiastically accepted. Apparently, during mango season, the one in charge of the garden is supposed to check the mangoes EVERY DAY and collect the mangoes off the tree, perhaps only one or two each day. Well, I checked on my mango faithfully until I forgot for a number of days and then it was gone, but I don’t remember seeing any mangoes under the tree. That part of the mystery was solved when the gardener shared he’d taken 4 – 5 mangoes out to the trash each time he’d been here to take care of the greens.

Looks like I’ve got mango on my face!

Next year, I’m setting up camp under my mango chosen. When it falls, I’ll feel it.