A normal, almost daily activity, that we all indulge in or have indulged in, during the
course of our life. A mundane activity that could have been either boring or interesting
or just avoidable, depending on our thought process at that point in life.
Well, we are not discussing any himalayan task to require any more build-up. It is the
chore of buying groceries from either the neighbourhood grocer or in today's scenario
from the supermarket.
Depending on the proximity of the shop and the economic status of the consumer, this
activity might require us to either walk or use a mode of transport like a motor cycle/
cycle/ car / SUV, whatever.
For a kid that has just got a brand new cycle, any opportunity to ride and show off is a
God-send - even if it means having to buy groceries in the bargain. And as we age, all
that changes is the toy that is currently our object of interest. Bicycles give way to bikes
and then to cars and so on and so forth, but man's fascination for the latest toy remains.
So depending on the age of the boy-man deputed for the task, the toy in use would vary.
OK, so what is the big deal in cycling or riding or driving to the grocer's, you might ask ?
Well, it's no big deal. But, imagine the following scenario. Your Mom / wife asks you to
move your ass from the comfy couch in front of the TV and asks you to go get some
groceries. You get the list of groceries and the cash from her and walk to the boat jetty
behind your home, untie your small boat (single/two seater kayak) from the coconut
tree to which it is tied and jump in. You row your way on the placid waters of the lake
/ river to the grocer whose shop is a few hundred metres away on the banks of the same
lake / river around which your home is situated. You tie your boat, get the groceries,
jump in and row back home.
An exciting, out-of-the-world experience, right ?
Well, for lots of families residing around the lakes and rivers of Kerala, this is just a routine
and boring chore.
Yeah, tell that to us city slickers, who would give an arm or leg for even a small pond near
our home, leave alone our own boat.
