Intricacies Galore




It is known that to know others one has to know oneself and maybe that's why I'm not very good at judging people.I seem to display behaviors of varied nature at seemingly normal and used-to situations which leave me puzzled and worried at times.And so the present post.

I feel very touched( for don't know what or why) and sad seeing the utterly have-nots, especially the kids who seem to be regular passengers of Indian Railways, albeit short-distance travellers with a well-thought of itinerary.And it's not just the traveller-lot but for that matter, any poor local, road-side soul, some of them well-endowed (if it wasn't enough already) with a cripple (GOD-gifted\self-inflicted\otherwise).And it pains the most to see them lie outside those malls & departmental stores, to see the huge disparity that exists.The point here is that I never seem to hesitate from parting with a few coins whenever I see them.Just gives me that soothing feel.I've even parted with five rupee coins (for the lack of smaller denominations of course, I'm not that generous or well-endowed !) and once while in the train had to cope with a small rebuke and enlightening lecture from a gentleman ( a fellow passenger cum masterji, if I may) for parting with a ten-rupee note ( with Bapu on it).Accused of embezzling my Dad's khazaana and wasting it on little scoundrels, future to-be pick-pockets and dacoits (masterji's vision, not mine) , came a short and apt lecture.

The intricacy here is as follows : I'd literally hoarded-up some 5-6 packets of potato chips (Lay's Tomato Tango to be specific) for the post-major celluloid fest I was gonna treat myself to, and somehow or the other these sniffer dogs( they know whom I'm referring to : little offense meant, none to be taken) managed to dig up one packet ( from the safest vaults of my inner sanctum), without my consent & presence ,ofcourse.And as helpless as I was at that moment ( attending nature's call at all the unholy hours, a not very pleasant habit of mine), I could hear all the conspiracy theories being put to test to discover my safe.I had to cut short my currrent dedication and rushed to the scene but, it was too late.

One gone, four to go.I couldn't take any more chances and put the rest at a place out of their wildest imagination.I don't know whether any more attempts were made , but I'd really got angry then( to the best of my capabilities and the situation's demand) and warned them of the dire consequences [:)] if at all another attempt to breach my (new)inner sanctum was made.

And this is where it begins : Why is it that I behaved the way I did( I've done it before and most likely to do it again if the situation presents itself) with them?The sniffer dogs? Keeping aside all the pun and mockery (?), they are afterall my friends, my pals with whom I've spent most of my time for the last couple of wonderous years and they are all I've at the moment. And so why? For just a pack of POTATO CHIPS! Rs.10/- only (MRP, though they charge twelve on the train).Whereas I don't give a second thought after giving it, Rs.10/-, to a boy on the train , whom I've never seen before in my life and without history being repeated, won't see again.I don't bicker about that, but seem to consider all pros and cons before parting with a few crispy,munchy potato chips, with my FRIENDS !! Maybe I somewhat know the answer to this riddle, but still ........