Rushing

The telephone rang and Neliya ran to pick it up. She tripped over a stool and fell down. She picked herself up and quickly answered the phone only to find the caller had rung off. She could have cried in frustration as she looked down at the blood streaming down her leg.

She called her son Anton who came and stanched the blood and put a dressing. “I think it’s best that you don’t rush to answer the phone, Mummy. The caller can wait or call back. You are now in your fifties and your health comes first” said Anton.

“I suppose I must be careful as I am not a spring chicken any more. I used to run to see to my children and their needs. It is now a habit even though my children are grown” said Neliya.

“I also remember how you used to be at the beck and call of your parents, especially when they were old. But they are both dead so now it is time you started looking after yourself” said Anton.

“Answering the phone is a habit even though now there are mobile hand phones which make life easier” said Jacintha.

“Yes, there is no need to rush around any more. Running or walking fast is just for exercise now. It’s also the reason why gyms are popular. Most people sit at desks and do their jobs throughout the day” commented Anton.

“I know. My colleagues and I sit in front of a computer and the day just goes by. A trade unionist told me that when computers were first introduced, they stipulated a break every hour in order to save the eyesight and the backbreaking sitting up” said Jacintha.