It’s an amusing scene I come across this morning during my walking around the local park. A group of 4 elderly men – must be in their 60s – sort of accosting a fifth elderly man about his living habits. The fifth man is also in 60s, their morning-walk companion, but stands out as a person of vigor, walking straight, eyes glowing, presenting himself as someone with sound health and mind.
I’ve often noticed him slogging it out with freehand exercises, instead of just preferring leisurely walk along with juicy gossiping. I surmise if you ask him he would say, gossiping is perfectly okay, in fact necessary, but so is the need to keep the body fit, perhaps more so. I will call him H1, ‘H’ standing for healthy.
In contrast, the four old men (let me call them A1 to A4) are in every sense an ‘older’ lot – drooping shoulders, hesitant steps, heavy breathing, lacking warmth and vigor. It won’t be wrong to presume that they more or less feel that the world’s necessity for them is fast diminishing. They derive pleasure talking about their past – nothing bad there per se – but rarely dealing on what the future holds.
Coming now to what enters my ears as I slacken my pace and eavesdrop on their conversation, here it is:
A1 to H1: You late? Some early morning exercise with her, eh! (A1 to A4 laughs out)
H1 helps the feathery A2 to gain balance as he misses step because of laughter.
H1: (a trifle embarrassed) Not that…
A2: If you ask me, it’s bad at old age. For both. Why, don’t you think so?
All except H1: But yes. In fact, it’s a torture for her.
H1: (not appearing to agree, but unwilling to pursue) Perhaps..
A3: (asking H1) Oh, by the way, what’s your sugar level? Did the tests? Where?
H1: (with a sheepish smile) Haven’t found time yet. May be today..
A4: What? How you dare! You haven’t tested for 6 months. Who knows what may happen tomorrow. (Everyone agrees, H1 nodding ever so slightly).
H1: (as if to admit his fault) I must do those tests. But then I’m otherwise okay..
A2: Oh you’re, aren’t you? Look dear, you eat everything, you even drink! Doctors say all these you must leave. My uncle.. (goes on to narrate his uncle’s case)
H1: (suddenly remembering an important work, quickens a little) You’re right, I’ll surely do the tests today. But now I must hurry (walks off fast)
A3: Walks really fast, whatever you say..
A1 to A4: (Collective sigh!)
As H1 hurries past me, I cast an admiring sidelong glance at him. I too quicken my pace. I’m already late.
[Related reading : Drink and walk to live healthy]
90-year old Manohar Aich flexes muscle (2003) – worshipping health!
[Picture source]
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