I sit idle all day gathering dust, the pain of being forgotten for years gnawing away at me. Once shiny and the center of attention, rust is now slowly eating away my soul, crushing it into pieces. I’ve been here since dog years, dating back longer than the current inhabitants of this place. They pass by me several times a day, rendering a cursory glance and disapprovingly wondering aloud why I’m still here. For them, I’m an artifact at best but the memories I carry within my body and curves are mine to remember. This isn’t the world I was brought into. Do they realise my existence here is less of a puzzle than theirs?
Indian households have a beautiful morning tea ritual and my lady ensured that I made it special for her family every day. The lovely aroma emanating as her fresh ground tea masala gently boiled with ginger, tea, sugar, and milk brought everyone to the dinner table instantly. She deftly balanced my weight while handling the tricky handle and fondly sieved the tea in every cup. That smile on her face as she took a quick sip to check the taste was priceless. Oh, how I wish that time had never ended!
My lady, adorned by a sandalwood garland, surrounded by her husband and children looks at me through her picture on the wall. Her smile doesn’t seem to reach her eyes though. Generations have gone by and her septuagenarian grandson is now the family head. He’s retired, widowed, and spends most of his time reading books and newspapers. His middle-aged son and daughter-in-law are workaholics and have two teenage kids who never seem to leave their rooms when home. They all attend to his needs but strangely never seem to have any time to talk. Most of the time it’s him and me, trying to solve the puzzle of life. Has everything in the world changed so much?
My lady’s fondness for me kept me here but many of my friends weren’t that lucky. Minimal living meant sacrificing every signature thing that defined this house. Handpicked ornate décor was replaced with paintings by famous names, exquisite cutlery tossed at the back of the cupboard, and uniqueness traded for bland interiors. Is it really a puzzle that the soul of a home lies in the love with which it is decorated?
Conversations, food, and laughter were the best part of sitting at the dinner table together. Packets of biscuits and endless cups of tea disappeared quickly when guests came over. Alas, now everyone turns up when they please and sits alone with their phone. Fancy drinks like green tea, detox water, wheatgrass juice, etc puzzle me no end. Thankfully, my friend coffee sometimes makes an appearance and I’m motivated to carry on.
Everyone had or made time for each other back then. My lady’s waiting eyes scanned everyone on the road with me on the stove, ready to serve my master his favourite beverage as soon as he walked in the front door. They shared more than a cup of tea during those precious moments. I was the mute spectator of their beautiful love and bonding. The kids’ insistence to hang out at some Starbucks while their parents attend work parties nowadays is a puzzle I truly can’t solve. Family time, anyone?
Home is where you find peace. It is where you unwind, rest, and be yourself. Small moments of togetherness bring happiness while occasions become more special in the company of loved ones. However, the grandeur of festivals and the merriment that comes with them are slowly diminishing. Gadgets over people and chats over real conversations. Luxury and showing off are being mistaken for happiness. Can anyone lead a life only to impress others? Please solve this puzzle for me.
I’m just a rusty kettle sitting on a dusty rack, what do I know about life you say? Don’t mistake me for being naïve. Like humans acquire grey hair with experience, my rust has collected years of silent examination with it. I’ve slowly seen customs and traditions disappear in the name of modernisation. Inclusivity has made people forget their identity. Competition, uninformed opinions, and pretense have changed how people see and perceive life and happiness. Isn’t it better to just sit here then? Not useful, agreed, but at least I’m still the same old me!
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A very thought provoking write up and what a brilliant interpretation of the prompt!
Loved your response on prompt. yes, most of us think materialistic pleasure is most important thing in life and we spend most of our life for chasing one thing after another. but the true happiness of lies in enjoying simple moment. simple and joyful moment make our life beautiful not the expensive home stuffs.
This post is really so well written Varsha, I loved the way you have interpreted the prompt. I am still thinking how to write.
Absolutely loved the way you have interpreted the prompt. As I read through its saddening to know the reality we all live in that I could relate to here.
Very well narrated the point of view of Tea pot and yes the way we attain experience our things too. I liked that you choose a non-living thing and given feelings to it.
Wow.. Really? Very well expressed Varsha and thought provoking too. There would be so many things that must have seen generations together and must be wondering how world has changed. Loved reading it.
Now that’s some writting..you have totally taken my heart, loved how you have interpreted the prompt.
Loved the post.minimal living.simple things make lie better…not only better but best.very well written.
Interesting article i must say – i enjoyed reading this, and to be honest i am in agreement with the tea pot. I cherish the moments around our tea pot at home – even our dog joins us, and now as life is busy etc etc it is those memories that keep me going, and when home, i continue to indulge in those experiences – this part of life, tea with family and friends – is not a puzzle, but a glue 🙂
I love how simple yet beautifully complex this entire narration was. Also, so true we keep missing the small wonderful moments of life running after the big moments.
The beautiful narration of tea and teapot. You pen down beautifully on small everyday moments of an Indian house.
The prompt is amazing and the write up is Beautiful.
Very well penned the story and feelings of a Tea pot. I love to congratulate you for thinking out of the box although a prompt was there. Keep inking
Such an amazing story! It really captured my heart as it was incredibly well-penned. Life really has it’s twists and turns and ups and downs and it’s only when we live our lives mindfully that we get to appreciate everything in between as well.
A simple story but with such deep meaning. Very thought provoking. I loved reading it and agreed with a lot of things.
Your poem reminded me of the series Gulluck. Even that based around a middle class family and their day to day affairs with the gullack narrating it.
Such a beautiful piece, Varsha. Minimalism and decluttering is all okay, but sometimes we end up doing away with things with so much history. If only those items could talk.
The world is indeed a puzzle and how you put in the pieces to the puzzle was nice to read
I loved the picture of the teapot, first of all. It shows how many tales must be written in its psyche down the ages.Really loved your thought process, Varsha.
I have a thing for kettles. And the tea making description is lovely.
Brilliant- your writing made think me smile 😊 . 👏
Very thought-provoking write up dear…love reading it …indeed like humans acquire grey hair with experience, my rust has collected years of silent examination with it. I just love these lines.
This post is really so well written Varsha, I loved the way you have interpreted the prompt. Life has so many colors and it’s on us how to live it.