A couple of weeks ago, I was traveling by train from Bangalore to Hyderabad, my split homes. During the journey, I ran into a young chump, about 18 and blithely; studying aeronautical engineering and wanted to be a commercial pilot. It was quite unsettling to hear him talk about some of his deep-rooted worries in the first 20 minutes of our conversation. He was 5 feet and 6 inches, and wanted to increase it up to 6 feet so that he could become I had to parry his desperate questions about increasing his height with positive and comforting answers like, "Of course, you're only 18, men grow till they are 22!" and "There is no way you won't be accepted with the enthusiasm you show towards flying!" You know, the usual display of camaraderie that happens in trains.
If you notice, conversations with strangers always present the bigger picture, leaving out the terribly confusing trivialities. Some say that life's mysteries are revealed in these details. Some others say that life is simple, without the details. When you actively participate in these conversations, they almost ALWAYS seem enriching and interesting until you snap out of it and feel that you might have made a fool out of yourself.
Through the course of the journey, the kid would follow me and ask me questions, all related to flying, being a pilot and growth hormones! I figured that when the kid goes home tomorrow, he would feel miserable about himself, desperately trying to get answers from a stranger who knows NOTHING about his desire of flying his plane. With that on my mind, and a wry smile, I bid good night to the town that the train was passing.
The train stopped early morning, and while I was getting down, still remembering the kid and his 'foolishness', someone came up to me and said, "Hi! I am XYZ's brother. He told me about your conversation with him last night, thanks!" For a moment, I stood dazed. Then it hit me that the kid not only felt good after the conversation, he also told his brother about it! I suddenly saw hope in the kid's eyes and saw much more depth in my words! I big my goodbyes on the platform and this time, with a hug, I truly appreciated his desire and wished him the best with his future plans.
Moments like these are constant reminders that all that people around us want are reassuring words, even if it means that you lie through your teeth. Each one of us is scared...of loneliness and we would do anything to garner some attention, just to gain comfort in the superficial sympathies offered to us by strangers.
I have many more happenings to fill you up on in the past two weeks, and I will when I am able to make some sense out of them. Till then, practice safe sex, unless you want to have kids with SHORT-comings. Seems to be the season, so wanted to keep you forewarned. :-D
Cheers!
Vidd.A couple of weeks ago, I was traveling by train from Bangalore to Hyderabad, my split homes. During the journey, I ran into a young chump, about 18 and blithely; studying aeronautical engineering and wanted to be a commercial pilot. It was quite unsettling to hear him talk about some of his deep-rooted worries in the first 20 minutes of our conversation. He was 5 feet and 6 inches, and wanted to increase it up to 6 feet so that he could become I had to parry his desperate questions about increasing his height with positive and comforting answers like, "Of course, you're only 18, men grow till they are 22!" and "There is no way you won't be accepted with the enthusiasm you show towards flying!" You know, the usual display of camaraderie that happens in trains.
If you notice, conversations with strangers always present the bigger picture, leaving out the terribly confusing trivialities. Some say that life's mysteries are revealed in these details. Some others say that life is simple, without the details. When you actively participate in these conversations, they almost ALWAYS seem enriching and interesting until you snap out of it and feel that you might have made a fool out of yourself.
Through the course of the journey, the kid would follow me and ask me questions, all related to flying, being a pilot and growth hormones! I figured that when the kid goes home tomorrow, he would feel miserable about himself, desperately trying to get answers from a stranger who knows NOTHING about his desire of flying his plane. With that on my mind, and a wry smile, I bid good night to the town that the train was passing.
The train stopped early morning, and while I was getting down, still remembering the kid and his 'foolishness', someone came up to me and said, "Hi! I am XYZ's brother. He told me about your conversation with him last night, thanks!" For a moment, I stood dazed. Then it hit me that the kid not only felt good after the conversation, he also told his brother about it! I suddenly saw hope in the kid's eyes and saw much more depth in my words! I big my goodbyes on the platform and this time, with a hug, I truly appreciated his desire and wished him the best with his future plans.
Moments like these are constant reminders that all that people around us want are reassuring words, even if it means that you lie through your teeth. Each one of us is scared...of loneliness and we would do anything to garner some attention, just to gain comfort in the superficial sympathies offered to us by strangers.
I have many more happenings to fill you up on in the past two weeks, and I will when I am able to make some sense out of them. Till then, practice safe sex, unless you want to have kids with SHORT-comings. Seems to be the season, so wanted to keep you forewarned. :-D
Cheers!
Vidd.
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