Photo by Hari Panicker on Unsplash

The arcane arts

I listened to grandma practicing the arcane art of small talk.

In a 3-person train compartment, sometimes there would be another person. They would attempt to engage me, the child, first, but I wasn’t particularly receptive.

I enjoyed sleeping on the train and the crumbly breakfast they served. I didn’t think there was a lot to say about “how much I enjoyed sea”, or “what school year I was in”. Much and second — information delivered.

Grandma had much more information to share. Maybe that’s what you collect with age? — I thought — information. Part of me suspected she simply knew everyone in the country.

✨ The next story is about adornments.