Life is full of miseries. There are hurdles and hassles. There are problems related to health and finances. There are issues related to relationships. There is political and economic chaos creating distress. You name it.
Among the hardships of life, one of the things that help us relieve is humour. Comedy has the power to turn pain into pleasure. In fact, I think the most pleasurable jokes come out of the most painful feelings.
Jokes are meant to make us laugh, and so they help us to take the things lightly. Some banters and playful comments enhance the quality of relationships.
Nevertheless, there is a distinction between joking and making fun of others. Some people are so much in the habit of mocking at others that they don’t realize how hurtful they can be.
Moreover, sarcasm- a humour sharply pin pointing people’s weaknesses, has a great tendency to break people’s heart. Sometimes, it may shake people’s confidence. At other times, it may become a reason to initiate hatred.
I don’t think anybody likes to be around excessively sarcastic people. I read a quote (in Urdu language) somewhere and I agreed with it
The habit of joking too much drifts people away from us.
So, it is important that our sense of humour should be observing healthy boundaries. We should be mindful about what we are talking to whom. Also, it shouldn’t be disrespectful.
Anyways, when I read the topic of Hive Learners featured contest I tried to remind if I ever faced a situation where a joke went too far. I reminded of an incident that happened to me when I was too young; I think 8 or 9 years old.
At that time I used to go to a tuition centre, at a ladies home. There were some other students too. Some of them were my teacher’s nephews and niece.
The teacher wouldn’t be on our heads all the time. She used to give tasks to the students and would get involve in her chorus.
It was one such instance when she was in the kitchen, away from us. One of her nephew came with something on his finger. It was liquid white cement.
He rubbed his finger on my cheek and said that it would burn my skin. I was so young at that time (only 8 or 9 years old). I got scared. I immediately rubbed my cheek to remove the material.
I am sure it was removed, but some other students sitting there started saying that it was such a dangerous thing that was put on my face. It damages the skin.
Out of fear, I started rubbing it harder with my palm. The kept on saying fearful things to me. I kept on rubbing. I started feeling pain on my cheek as if it was burning. I started crying.
Thankfully, the teacher came back. When she figured out what was happening, she scolded the students. Then she came to me.
My cheek had bruises. The injury was not caused by the cement. Instead, it was caused by rubbing the cheek with my hand.
The teacher applied some ointment on it.
Dreading me was a joke for all of them but it became a cause of anguish for me.
It is really shameful to be a reason of someone’s pain on the name of joking. We should always be mindful about the effects of the words they may bring to the other person.
Be humorous but not dangerous.
This is my participation for HL featured contest.
