Newcomer sees things clearly

Image credit: Yash Gupta on Pexels.

By Manoj Sinha

This is not from when we were brand new in Canada, but new enough. Gerry and Lucy, who had welcomed us to the neighbourhood and had become close friends, sold their home and moved away a few years later.

This was the first time we heard of the concept of downsizing – of people selling a big home to move into a smaller one. In India, it works the other way around!

Anyway, we kept in touch. The first time I called to see how they were settling in, Gerry said they loved the quiet countryside they had moved to.

“It’s so peaceful. And we’re by the water. You both should come up and see our cataracts!”

I was horrified to learn that they both had developed cataracts – for he had clearly said, “our cataracts” – but couldn’t understand why he was so enthusiastic about them and why he wanted us to see them. Not like we were doctors.

My wife and I talked about it and it still made no sense. Concerned about their health, as they were both in their 70s by then and their adult children lived in another province, we decided to drive up to see them sooner than we might have otherwise.

After all, we had promised their son we’d keep an eye on them the last time he’d visited his parents.

So we drove up one weekend and were much relieved to see them both looking fit and happy. And no sign of the dreaded cataracts. Until they mentioned them again.

“Gerry, after lunch let’s take them up to see the cataracts!” said Lucy enthusiastically.

My wife and I looked at each other. It was obvious we were missing something.

Good thing we held our peace because that afternoon we learnt that these “cataracts” had nothing to do with their eyes and everything to do with waterfalls.

A waterfall in which a great volume of water rushes over a precipice is also called a cataract!