Two days ago, I wandered around almost the whole city. I reached many places and saw many things.
A senior and I visited a fundraising fair for dogs in the animal shelter and, parks, shopping malls, and museums. Since we used public commutes, it didn’t cost much. It was fun. I saw many people. Some were busy doing what they can to fill their stomach. Some were having a picnic. Some dressed up prettily. Some were plain-looking. Some were alone. Some were with family or friends or lovers. Some were relaxing and some were in a hurry. Everyone was enjoying or struggling with their lives in their own ways.
Under a bridge, there was a crowd. We could hear EDM even from quite afar. It caught our attention. We decided to take a look and we saw that it was a street dance competition. Many handsome young men were gathered together. The young men had their own unique fashion, design, and color. They looked like bad boys. We didn’t need to ask who would be the dancers. Handsome young men who are simply standing or sitting were telling us who they are with their appearances. Is it what people called “swag”?
When they danced, some were just so-so. But, there were some pro dancers who are very skilled at their work. While watching pro dancers’ dance, I was charmed. A realization hit me that simply being one of the best in an area can make a person look very charming. In other fields, he may probably look mediocre but when it comes to his best area, it will be his show time and he will conquer the stage.
In 2019, I was in bad luck very often. Things didn’t go smoothly for me every time. When other people and I were trying to get the same thing, others got it with one attempt while I had to pass through several difficult steps to achieve it. It happened many times. My mom was worried about me. My oldest sister went to a fortune-teller and asked about my fortune. The fortune-teller gave me a task to do in order to drive disturbances away.
Yesterday, I went to a pagoda to carry out the task which is perceived to make things go smoothly for me. It had a time limit that it should not pass 12 PM. One material was lacking to carry out the task and it was 10 AM. I needed six pieces of coconut. It was my first time there and I was not familiar with the place. I asked the guard of the pagoda where could I get coconut pieces and he answered, “People don’t sell coconut here. You need to exit this place then turn right and go over a bridge. You will see a supermarket there. I think coconuts are sold there.”
I thanked him and went to the supermarket. Coconuts were indeed sold there. The problem was they were not pieces but a whole which were packaged and what I needed was only six pieces. I asked a staff there hoping for pieces of coconut but she replied that only a whole coconut was available there. I exited the building, turned right, and walked for a few minutes. I saw a stall selling fruits but no coconut. The shopkeeper told me, “Do you need coconuts? Just walk straight and you will see a supermarket. There is a small road on the left side of the supermarket. Go down there and there exists a bazaar. You can buy coconuts there.”
I thanked the shopkeeper and went there. The bazaar is quite big. I didn’t know where was the coconut shop. I asked a person near me and she told me that I should go left. I went according to what she said but there was no coconut shop. I asked a shopkeeper near me and she told me to go right. I went there but no coconut shop again. While I was standing and thinking whether they were kidding with me, the light went out.
Standing in the darkness, I asked the shopkeeper sitting near me where was the coconut shop. She told me to go to the north. The bazaar was lighted up. I went to the north and I indeed saw a coconut shop. However, unfortunately, the small coconut shop was locked. A person in front of me who was selling meat told me that the coconut shop was closed. I was irritated and gave a phone call to my oldest sister.
While explaining my situation to my sister, I continued walking. I saw a few coconuts on a table. I looked around and saw a woman came towards me and asked me, “What do you need?”. I asked her whether she could sell a coconut to me. She told me to take one but when I asked her whether she could cut the coconut into pieces, she said that she couldn’t because she didn’t have enough strength. But, she told me about a place near the bazaar where the shopkeeper cracks coconut shells for customers.
I gave a call to my oldest sister again and she told me that even without pieces of coconut, I could still carry out my task. I looked at the time and it was 11:15 AM. I replied to her that I still got time and I would continue finding pieces of coconut. I asked a girl who was selling clothes and a man who was on the road and then finally I found the place.
I was in a housing estate that I had never been before. The place in front of me was quite dirty. I saw an old woman and a woman in dirty clothes coaxing a baby in a hand-made hammock who was crying loudly to sleep. I asked whether they sell coconuts here. They replied to me that they sold them but when I asked whether they could cut it into pieces, a woman shouted, “Hey, a customer is here. Can you crack a coconut now?”. A woman from upstairs shouted back, “No, I can’t. I’m busy now.” They shouted front and back and the result was still no.
I was almost about to give up. I told my sister about it and she also told me to give up. I thought about energy, time, and effort which was spent on this matter and I somehow didn’t want to give up too easily since I had come this far. And, I did so. I insisted on it. Finally, the woman from the upstairs came down and cut the coconut into pieces.
The whole coconut was worth 800 MMK. I offered them 1000 MMK. However, since I took only six pieces which were only near half of the whole coconut, the woman told me that she would only take 300 MMK. I was stunned. I asked her, “Is it really okay?” and she replied to me with “Yes”. I was charmed. She clearly knew that I was eagerly in need of those pieces of coconut but she didn’t take advantage of my situation. I realized that you don’t need to be in beautiful clothes to charm others. By simply owning a white heart is a beauty which can charm others.
It was my little adventure of finding six pieces of coconut. After getting what I needed, I told my sister happily. She was also happy. She told me that if she were me, she would have given up already and I replied to her, “But, it is me, not you.” She laughed and then hanged up. Stopping midway is in my nature but once I decide to pursue something, I have more perseverance than others because “not giving up” also exists in my nature.
I carried out my task and it was 11:45 AM. I called my sister and told her, “Mission accomplished.” I was proud of myself. Of course, it is good that things go smoothly for you but if you achieve something from difficulties, you will feel more accomplished and gain confidence. I also noticed that I am more excited when I am dealing with uncertain situations with uncertain outcomes. Of course, it will be boring if you already know what will happen, right?
1/6/2020 (2)
