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Rules!


Rule # 1
Long ago:
Oldie: At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house. The dust will settle, you can smell the earth and you will get to hear the birds sing- what a beautiful start to the day!
Some time ago:
Oldie: At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house.
Girl: Why?
Oldie: It’s good for you and for the house. And don’t keep asking questions- it’s disrespectful.
Now:
Oldie:  At dawn, sprinkle water in front of the house.
Girl: But, it’s Saturday. I want to sleep till 9. And if I sprinkle water, my neighbours will slip and fall.
Oldie: What a generation! No discipline.

Rule#2
Long ago:
Oldie: The clothes must have dried. Bring them in before you eat or you’ll get a cramp in your tummy collecting and folding all the clothes.
Sometime ago:
Oldie: The clothes must have dried. Bring them in before you eat.
Girl: Why?
Oldie: That’s the rule. And don’t keep asking questions- it’s disrespectful.
Now:
Oldie: Bring the clothes in before you eat.
Girl: The clothes are in the washing machine. The maid will pull it out in the evening. Chill..
Oldie: What a generation! No discipline.

Rule #3
Long ago:
Oldie: Don’t marry a man born under that star. They usually do not like a matriarchial presence in their life. Your family might be neglected.
Sometime ago:
Oldie: Don’t marry a man born under that star.
Girl: Why?
Oldie: Your family will perish. And why don’t you just listen to your elders. So many questions!
Now:
Oldie: Don’t marry a man born under that star. Your family will perish.
Girl: Whatt! How many people do you know that it happened to? Isn’t Pichu mama born under that star? His father-in-law in 98  and healthy.
Oldie: Kali yugam pah!

Rule#4
Long ago:
Oldie: Keep your doors open in the evening. Guests should feel free to come in and a lovely breeze will lift your spirits.
Sometime ago:
Oldie: Open the doors in the evening.
Girl: Why?
Oldie: It's good for the house. Don't ask so many questions. I never asked so many questions.
Now:
Oldie: Open the doors in the evening.
Girl: What?! You want more mosquitoes in the house? And I don't want that nosy neighbour of mine peeping to see who's visiting my house.
Oldie: God knows who these rules are for! What will these kids teach the next generation.

Rule#5
Long ago:
Oldie: Don't cut your nails after sunset. In the light of the lamp, you won't be able to see well and a small bit might fall on the floor and prick someone.
Sometime ago:
Oldie: Don't cut your nails after sunset.
Girl: Why?
Oldie: It's bad omen. Don't keep questioning me. It's disrespectful.
Now:
Oldie: Don't cut your nails after sunset.
Girl: I'm doing it under bright light. How does it matter. And if I go to school tomorrow with long nails, I will get punished.
Oldie: Abbabbbaa. These kids retort to everything we say. No use advising them.

From a generation of reason when rules made sense to a generation of why when rules didn't apply but were followed anyway and a generation now of answers.... I have to come up with some new rules for the generation of tomorrow!


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