Six years ago, during a summer holiday in Dalmatia, the Vene family visited the market place in Zadar. There, among other things, they bought a seedling of a banana palm tree. They took good care of it at home, watered it regularly during the summer, and kept it well away from the winter ice. The plant grew abundantly and this year it pleasantly surprised.

It bloomed exuberantly and then it bore fruit. So far they've counted 12 small bananas. And it seems like the harvest will be even bigger. The green fruit will of course need the summer sun. The Vene family hopes this year’s unpredictable summer will soon say farewell and that the bananas will ripen enough for them to enjoy their sweetness.

The family is of the opinion that the mighty tree will put so much effort into the bananas that it will most likely die away after that. In the meantime they've already raised a few more banana seedlings in their garden. When the bananas ripen, they promised to invite us for a taste!

Petra Držaj; translated by K. J.