Whether I amuse others or not, I do not know— but I never fail to amuse myself.

The other day I told the L&M what had happened that morning. 

“I couldn’t find the house key before going for my walk.”

Immediately, his face went into serious mode. The eyes were clearly judging me. Never mind that his wife always keeps things where they belong—unlike a certain six-foot-one-inch someone. Though, to be fair… not always.

The L&M waited for me to continue—with impatience. Much like you are, I bet, dear reader(s). 

“I thought, ‘Oh no! Is it still in the shoe cupboard where I leave it when I go for my walk?’” I said.

(Don’t worry. I am going to put the keys elsewhere from now on. So any ideas anyone’s got of sneaking into my house at 5-30 a.m, which is when I go for my walk, becomes null and void—especially since I’ll be diligently circumambulating the apartment for the next thirty minutes)

The L&M’s face had gotten even more serious.

“And..?” he prompted.

“I checked the shoe cupboard. Nothing there!”

The seriousness on his face was now registering alarm as well. (He scarce knows how easy it is for me to read his face!) Anyway, I don’t really blame him. Losing the house key is indeed risky business. 

“So I went back inside and checked the usual place again. It was dark—I hadn’t switched on the light—maybe I had missed it. But no. It wasn’t there.”

“AND…?”

His impatience was palpable. He knew there was an end to this story and wanted to get there without delay. Just as you are, I bet. But stories have their chosen paths and need to be walked through them the way a story teller wants to. So, as the story teller, I plodded on, regardless. 

“Then I went back outside and checked the shoe cupboard outside again. No go. So I went back inside….”

He cut me off abruptly.

“AND WHERE WAS THE KEY?!!!” 

Not a story teller’s favourite, this one, I tell you! More of a give-me-the- facts-and-be-quick-about-it kind. Gah!

I had wanted to explain how puzzled and bewildered I had been—searching again and then again—but it was clear details would no longer be appreciated.

I chafed at being cut short, but gave up and came clean.

“The key was in my left hand. Along with the phone.”

I swear, people. I don’t know how it got there.

Like I said at the beginning—I never fail to amuse myself.

(And occasionally…others too.) 😉

©️ Shail Mohan 2026