It was a trip down memory lane My journey on a Mumbai local train Boarding the Ladies Compartment I managed to land a window seat Which in my younger days Was considered the veteran’s treat As only the fleet-footed and the agile Were able to leap into the moving train For these coveted seats to stake their claim
I watched as the passengers boarded Most with household provisions loaded But each with her own seat preference Some chose to sit in the direction Of the moving train While others opted to be with friends The short distance travelers For convenience, just stood near the door
If you are a regular train commuter You will probably wonder What’s so special about this mundane routine But believe me, it is not as boring as it may seem A journey on a local train can be quite an experience The chatty ladies provide entertainment and education All you need to do is to keep your eyes and ears open To treat yourself to fun and free advice on any and everything
You can hear hot tips on the stock market Get free lessons on bringing up children Easy recipes for their teatime snacks Quick home remedies for coughs and colds On the lighter side, there is the latest gossip on the stars And opinions galore on the current TV soap operas If you are lucky, you may even get a slice of cake In case, a passenger decides her birthday to celebrate
I savored every moment of the trip Listening attentively to all the ladies around me Not being a regular, I did not have my own clique So I was free to choose and spent time listening To the many animated discussions... Ranging from politics to children’s obsessions All in all, by the time I reached my destination I had the sensation that I was wiser far than when I started out
