Does the early bird really catch the worm ?

   (middle, Tribune)


We have been hearing since childhood about the early bird catching the worm. It conjures up images of gaining a great deal of advantage by entering a situation early, having a pick of things.

Recently, I reflected on the times I had been the early bird..

Early one morning, I was the first customer buying medicines and I was in a bit of a hurry as my sick son was waiting in the car. After trying to expedite the process by actively scanning the medicine shelves to help the shop assistants find the requisite syrups, we soon came to the stage of payment. There an unexpected delay occurred. As I was the first customer, the cashier was apparently not ready. Totally ignoring my proffered hand holding the money, he first bent and touched the account ledgers with his forehead. He then systematically kissed the cash till and some other books and papers nearby and then said a prayer. I was half fascinated and half impatient and was wondering how many more things this courtesy would be extended to. I started musing about those who kiss objects - winners like Federer, Martina et al certainly kissed their trophies – and wondered whether this man too was a champ among chemists. I also thought of my OPD and surgical instruments and how (in comparison) they were a neglected lot, never having had the benefit of my lips planted upon them…I kept musing (and he kept kissing).. Suddenly, I was startled out of my reverie by the rupee notes being pulled from my hand. I was glad to be able to finally pay and leave. I realized that though I did not get a discount or other tangible early bird benefits I was privy to an interesting opening ceremony.

I thought about other times I had been early..

The one time I had dragged myself terribly early to a medical conference and been a lucky recipient of an “early bird prize’. Though I had a shiny new suitcase to accessorize my travels, I remember sleeping through most of the later part of the conference. Clearly, my aging body had not fully been able to tackle the challenge of jumping out of bed so much earlier than normal.

Or the time when being a stickler for being on time at airports we arrived so early (at my insistence) that even the check-in counters were not open. I can’t either define or forget the strange look that my husband (who had tumbled out of bed at 4 am) kept giving me in a sustained fashion till the counters finally opened. At least the early (lady) bird got some pure undivided attention from the better half even though she was not keen to interpret the accompanying sentiment!

Or the times when one has actually gone to a Delhi reception at the exact time specified only to find that one is earlier than the host/hostess and are mistaken for the bride’s (underdressed) parents (no guest could possibly be that early !). At such times one can give useful tips on the final touches to the décor as the event managers have only you for an opinion ! Or you reach a dinner on time, patting yourself on your back for your punctuality only to find your dinner host opening the front doorbell with his tie yet untied around his neck . At that time you are not able to fathom whether he is cross at being caught in a half dressed fashion or delighted at seeing his first party guest…

I decided eventually that all that the early bird picks up are some intangible lessons and it should not really hope for any tangible worms!