A CHRONIC BACHELOR

One day we accompanied ‘Ammachi’ to Chembalamsseril to visit Thressiakutty ‘Valliamma’, our grandaunt.  Suddenly, we heard someone singing from atop a coconut tree. He was Velayudhan. He was a chronic bachelor with nobody to care for and not bothered about life. He had certain eccentric behaviors. He had very long legs and was a freelance climber. He was always drunk and reeked toddy. Totally oblivious of his surroundings he was singing out aloud. I have heard him, spewing forth from his mouth an incessant stream of dirty and filthy words. His behavior was disgusting.

Very often I have seen him lying on the wayside. I used to wonder if he was enjoying his carefree life or whether he was frustrated. One morning, he just does not wake up; he left unheard and unmourned. Is it for fear to wet a widow’s eye, he in single life?

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com
josephjthayamkeril@gmail.com