A Matter of Time

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A Matter of Time



She was sorting out the clothes in the closet; putting aside those that got shorter to be donated and torn ones to be used as dusters. When clothes got old or torn, she used them as dusters. She felt environment conscious in this type of reuse and even found it economical as it saved her money for the dusters. One of her son's vests had a hole in it so she decided to replace it as her dusting cloth. 

 After it was used for the intended job, it turned from white to grey, with all the muck on it.
Even after washing the stains won't go off, and she did not even try scrubbing it too hard, as it was only a duster. This duster was washed alongside with other clothes which included some new vests for her son. After washing when she put up the clothes to dry on the line, her son accompanied her.
Placing the new vests and the 'duster' side by side on the line, she casually remarked to her son “Look at the difference!" trying to point out the difference in cleanliness and whiteness. But her son saw it differently, he said, "What is the difference Ma, that one was a vest few days ago, and this one would be a 'duster' some days later. It is only a matter of time.”
She felt deeply how looks affected the position and utility of things, and imagined what her position and utility would be once she grew old. Her son as if read her mind and placing his hands on her shoulders said, “Just like when you would get old, you will cleanse us with your wisdom and not require much cleaning yourself!”


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