Apricot

dzeerahnee dzahr

There was once an arborist or tree scientist and an ordinary man who showed him an apricot orchard. The tree specialist was sent to examine and quantify the number of apricot trees commercially exploited in Armenia. He began to count the trees, examine their leaves and branches and count the approximate number of ripe apricots still on the trees.

The guide approached the farmer who cared for the trees, spoke with him in a friendly way and asked permission to eat some of the delicious ripe fruits. The farmer gave his approval and the guide began to enjoy the best Armenian apricots. The tree scientist spent his time in counting and recording while the guide enjoyed the nutritious Armenian apricots.

Life should be lived, tasted, digested and lessons learned from experience rather than trying to quantify it or vicariously experience it through others. One can learn from others. Still, one needs to experience the best parts of life such as the taste, color and texture of the Armenian apricot.

Of the two, the scientist and the ordinary man, which one was the wiser. Certainly, the scientist is expert at quantifying the material world and trying to discover already existing laws of nature. By understanding such laws, the scientist can manipulate a tiny portion of matter and energy to serve the whims of people for a fee. This serves the purpose of making life seem easier by empowering man with the ability to harness some of nature’s power for selfish pursuits. But, every scientific advancement brings a new set of problems as well as benefits.

The intellectual or scientist busies himself with trying to find out the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of creation so he can mimic it imperfectly. The humble man of natural wisdom makes friends with the Creator or originator of creation and receives the blessing of the Supreme Scientist by savoring the Armenian apricot. Observing and counting is not the same as appreciating the Creator and His creation and feasting on the natural opulence. A plastic apricot is not the same as the real apricot.

The apricot is reputed to have originated in Armenia because it was spread throughout the western world as a cultivated fruit tree from Armenia beginning in ancient times. Its official botanical name is Prunus armeniaca (it literally means the plum from Armenia). The Armenian apricot grown in the Ararat valley is reputed to be the most delicious. It has a tender yellow reddish skin and as soon as one bites it, a honey like sweet liquid is tasted. The ripe one is like a heavenly nectar.

Armenian apricots have medicinal benefits due to carotenoids which are dark colored dyes that the body can turn into a form of vitamin A. One such carotenoid is beta-carotene which is an antioxidant. Apricots contain protein, calcium, iron, vitamin K, zinc, potassium, fiber and folic acid. Vitamin A maintains healthy teeth, bones, skin, soft tissue, and promotes good vision. They not only taste good, but they are good because God is all good.

bahrdezuht dzeerahnee dzahr ullah, pahrehv-ahsstoudzoh pahreen sahd gullah