“Ripe Figs” is a very short story, idyl or sketch by Kate Chopin set in Louisiana in the late 19th century, and has only two characters. It was first published in 1893 and appeared in her 1897 collection A Night in Acadie. I recommend reading the story itself, as it’s so short, but if you want a quick refresher, here’s a summary of “Ripe Figs”.
“Ripe Figs” Summary
Babette wants to visit her cousins down on the Bayou-Lafourche. Her godmother, Maman-Nainaine, says she can go when the figs are ripe, although this is unrelated to the trip. Right now, the leaves are tender and the figs are like little hard, green marbles, so it seems like a long time for Babette to wait.
Maman-Nainaine is patient and Babette is restless with the passage of spring, but they’re soon in the heat of summer. Babette checks the figs every day but always comes away disappointed. Finally, she sees something that makes her joyous.
The next morning when Maman-Nainaine sits down to breakfast, Babette places a platter in front of her with twelve purple figs. Maman-Nainaine comments on how early the figs ripened this year, while Babette thinks they’re very late.
Maman-Nainaine peels the plumpest fig and tells Babette to pass along her love to their relatives in Bayou-Lafourche, and to tell her aunt that she will see her when the chrysanthemums are in bloom.
I hope this summary of “Ripe Figs” was helpful.
