06-24-2011, 04:30 PM
Some people think that missing a train is a great sin. Others feel that it is just fun. Perhaps we may divide the human beings into two kinds-those who are always missing trains and are not ashamed of it: and those who can never miss a train even if they try their best. This division is not superficial. It existed even in the times when there were no trains to miss or catch. The train catchers-forgive me if it is wrong construction-are punctual, careful, but fussy and humourless. They are solid and serious citizens. They do catch their trains but miss a lot of more worth-while things. They catch their trains, but arrive nowhere because wherever they go, they find another train waiting on the platform and they cannot help jumping on it. They are the unfortunate people who take everything so seriously that remains no joy in anything. The train catchers are the people who cannot stop and admire the beauty of a tree or a flower. If they pause a while, their train may leave and remember that missing a train is a great sin for them. They even cannot smile without consulting their appointment book and the railway time-table. If they go on a holiday trip they do no; gain anything except the numbers and timings of a few more trains. Their favourite books are the Time and Fare Table, and the tourist guides. If they go to a picture gallery, they will be more interested in the price tags than in paintings. They are a joyless lot. Wherever they go, they take with them the cold and withering breath of pointless efficiency. On the other side are those who refuse to become slaves of trains and schedules. They will gladly miss a train in order to exchange pleasant gossip with a friend who has come to the station to see them off. There is another train they can catch later if they like. They are never in a hurry.