For three years now, I was so used to going out and not knowing anybody. Every face I saw, was for the first time. Everyone I met, I met for the very first time. Not to mention, nobody ever recognized me either. I was so used to it, that never thought it would make any difference to me.
I have realized the importance of that feeling now, when things have changed. Today I went to a totally new city on the other side of town and met three acquaintances... felt awesome! Just like home. That gives me a sense of belonging...I guess it really is important, as we are a social species. We like to gather!
That reminds me of a short story I read in school. Its written by Anton Chekov. Its called ''The Bet." I guess it is available online now. I found it on Google. It is about the sudden change a bet brings about in the life of a rash young lawyer. Years later now, I am still trying to grasp the entire meaning of the story. A man in isolation for fifteen years. Never sees a human or an animal. Just has books to spend time with. His point, a life sentence is better than capital punishment. Living is better than dying! I can only imagine how heated that argument could get. But that's besides the point.
Right now, my point is that I just enjoy meeting people I know. (No offense to people I haven't met so far!) And, a familiar face does make me happy.
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4 comments:
Well put! You certainly have a knack of putting your thoughts to words.
How about a cup of coffee? ;)
hey, i had not read that story-"the bet"....its very well written and has so many implied meanings....
the story reminds me of the movie i saw..'Zinda' , a hindi flick, but a nice one...
Happy new year to you and Amit .
P.S. Nice to see that you being regular in updating the blog.
This story keeps knocking on my mind many times. If I remember correctly, the story starts when the lawyer is about to be released from the prison, in about 2-3 days or in a week after spending those long years. And this guy is so enriched with wisdom by reading books that, he makes an escape on that day or so. It eventually means loosing the bet and the money from other guy (the prisoner!). But I always supported (was someone competing with me?!) the young lawyer. Great story!. Thanks for showing me the online source. I hope I had not misunderstood the story when I read in Kannada.
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