One of my favourite memories of childhood…with a lesson for life!
I started cycling to school from Standard IV.
Until then I would often go “dubs” with my elder brother on his bicycle. With this mode of transport, more often than not my back would hurt so I’d get off mid-way & walk the rest of the way.
Other times my Dad would drop me to school by car.
I certainly preferred the latter.
* * * * *
Day 1 of cycling to school.
It was now time for the return home from school.
I got on to my cycle. Pride got on to me.
“Tut Tut…not grammatically correct” I hear the English purists say, but what the heck… 🙂
I could not help but think of my friends who had to catch the bus back home.
Here I was in a more elevated position with a bicycle, according to my esteemed 9 year old view point.
* * * * *
Swaggering style. Over confidence.
One hand on the left handlebar, right hand waving at those mere mortals – schoolmates of mine at the bus stop.
I focused a bit much on the passing them, looking at them, waving at them…in short impressing them.
C-R-A-S-H
* * * * *
My cycle rammed into a man just ahead carrying a baby. Beside him the wife.
Funny position for him to have landed himself.
Baby in hand, legs astride a school girl’s cycle.
Humbling for me. Humblifying x 100. Humblification.
All this in front of my schoolmates.
The very ones I wanted to impress with this my superior mode of transport.
It was not over.
* * * * *
A swift t-h-w-a-c-k on my back.
Zestily delivered by the wife of the man carrying the baby.
I said sorry.
She snarled at me in Tamil “Yenna, s-a-a-a-r-y?” (“What, sorry?”)
This too in front of my schoolmates.
Hell hath no fury as a woman whose husband carrying her baby has been hit into. Accidentally notwithstanding.
* * * * *
The soberest ride back home. Of whatever distance was left.
Pride comes before a fall.
Apparently it’s true.
* * * * *
Nice one !. took me down memory lane …days when i rode to school. but not this interesting…keep them coming girl !
Thanks Bala!