On Christmas
Eve, we were watching a thriller on the TV in the lounge and suddenly there was a big thud. It gave us all a start. I looked out and to my horror; five panels
of our fence had fallen on the driveway. It was very windy and raining. We
could not go out and do anything so we continued to watch the film. As soon as
the film finished we went out and tried to lift the panels but we could not.
The panels are heavy and they had become heavier with thorough soaking by the
continuous rain for the last few days.
With Christmas and New Year, I do not think we can get any workman to
fix these in a hurry.
This fence
is not really for any protection, no one is trying to encroach on our garden or
stealing our plants but still not having a fence made us very uneasy. May be it
is just because we had become used to seeing the fence all the time since we
moved in this house some 20 years ago
and it had become a habit, a part of the norm.
Alternatively,
maybe, it is something deeper in our psyche.
The desire
to put a fence around ones' property is so universal. Not just the humans but
also many of the animals do it. We all
carve out our little spaces so as not to feel insignificant in this vast
Universe. We try our best to
individualise our surroundings, mark little territories to impose our pathetic
sense of possessiveness and self-importance.
Nature is benevolent
and does not approve of this. It tries to remove the barriers and make
everything available to and for all. The fences fall, the houses collapse, the towns
turn into jungles and the countries vanish from the map but we still jealously
erect our fences and try to keep a bit of this vast universe just for
ourselves. We grab bigger and bigger spaces and to protect it erect higher and
higher fences.
If everyone
had their fare share of space, based on need rather than greed (innate desire
to possess more) there will be no need for fences. However, in a capitalist society
with its high emphasis on the individual’s material achievements, it is a futile
dream. Inequality in terms of material possessions does produce envy and
societal discordance. The fences are here to stay.
I have to go now and look in the Yellow Pages
to find a builder.
Note: With the help of our guests who came to
celebrate Christmas with us, we managed to lift the fence and temporarily fix
it, thus averting the need to get a builder immediately.
However banal it may seem but the feeling that "my
space is secure" is back. Now I can enjoy the rest of the festivities. Happy New Year to you all too.
