Choices! What will it be? #77

Once there was a big debate in a little Sri Lankan village named Dombagahawatte. The discussion was not about politics, cricket, or the present price of coconuts, which has doubled. No, but the village had something more serious to discuss: comfort. This debate started around the single chair.

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In this village, there was an uncle called Nimal. He wanted to spend his older age comfortably. For that, he made a very comfortable chair using kapok from his own trees. It was like an armchair. In addition, it was cushioned, so when he lying on it, he felt that he was floating on a cloud. He said that he designed it for “maximum relaxation”. As time passed, the villagers referred to it as the "Royal Throne of Dombagahawatta."

One afternoon, the village elders gathered at Uncle Nimal’s house for their usual gossip session. There were Mr. Perera, the temple committee's chairman, Mr. Silva, a retired schoolteacher, and also a few other elders. As usual, Nimal Uncle sat on his "throne," while the others sat on little stools and chairs that could be easily moved about.

Silva Master, who was known for his strong opinions on everything broke the silence by saying "Nimal, if you keep sitting on this chair every moment, you will forget soon what work hard is”

Uncle Nimal smiled quietly and said, “Why should I struggle, when I can be comfortable? Mr. Silva are you jealous? This chair is the real one”.

Then Mr. Perera who is always ready for any argument jumped in and said “I don’t understand why everyone is so obsessed with comfort these days. In our days we sleep without mats and pillows and wake up before the sun rises. However, everyone is now looking for cushions and comfortable beds. I don’t know what will happen to our country”.

The debate over comfort started as thus.

“Yes, I agree with you”, Silva Master responded nodding his head. “Comfort makes people lazy. Look at the younger generation. They no longer know how to properly squat. They are quite comfortable”.

“But, why are you struggling, if you can sit comfortably?” Uncle Nimal replied patting his chair. There is a difference between being lazy and being smart. Why should my back suffer if that is the case?”.

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Just suddenly, Kusal, the village's unofficial “philosopher” who was half asleep opened his eyes. He was lying on the ground keeping his head on a small rock. "Comfort is not limited to the body," he explained softly. See, I am sleeping on this hard rock, but in my imagination, I am floating on a peaceful river."

Everyone looked at him. Uncle Nimal laughed and said, “That is because your mind is already somewhere far away. The rest of us all live in the real world”.

Mr. Perera always trying to maintain order, responded by waving his hand “Listen, the problem is that people have forgotten the value of simplicity. Our culture values simplicity. People are now obsessed with luxurious such as comfortable chairs, air conditioning, and fancy pillows."

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Silva Master added “Yes, don’t forget about the cool foam mattresses that Colombo has to sale. What is it? How comfortable are cool foam mattresses compared to a good old mat? Nimal, I am telling you that these comforts are ruining us.

Uncle Nimal further leaned back in his chair and sighed. "You are all assuming that comfort is luxury. However, it is an art. My chair is a masterpiece. One day, you'll all understand”.

When the debate became heated, a youngster named Bindu from the house next door approached them and said, "Uncle Nimal, can I sit on your chair for a while? Please!".

Everyone laughed. Uncle Nimal smiled and said “Ah, see, even the younger generation also know the value of comfort.

Bindu sat in the chair, his tiny legs barely reaching the ground. "This is the most comparable chair in the entire world," he stated. "It feels like I'm flying”.

Elders looked at each other and shrugged. “Oh, even the child knows about the good comfort, so why should we debate”, said Uncle Perera laughing.

Master Silva stood up and said, "We need to try it and see what the difference is between ours and yours."

Next, one by one, each of the elders took their turn sitting on Uncle Nimal’s chair. When they got up their faces lit up with delight. The debate ended not with words, but with satisfied smiles.

Uncle Nimal successfully glanced at everyone and questioned, "So, who's still against comfort?"

No one answered. The Great Comfort Debate of Dombagahawatta was ended, and the chair was unquestionably the winner.

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