Members of my generation, now in their seventies, will recall the iconic brass tumbler, used by the toddlers and small children, characterized by a bottom resembling a small saucer that snugly fit over a brass glass when turned upside down. For today’s generation, I have included a picture of this item.

During our time, there was a joke circulating about children who consistently asked shopkeepers for a little extra beyond what they paid for. Shopkeepers often indulged these requests out of fondness. The anecdote recounts a child visiting a market with this brass tumbler and insisting on receiving a bonus from the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper, amused, proposed filling the entire glass with milk and asked where the bonus would go. The child innocently turned the tumbler upside down and replied, ‘here.’ Amused, the shopkeeper agreed, instructing the child to pay for the milk and receive the bonus first. The child complied, presenting the glass upside down. The shopkeeper filled the bottom and then asked, “Where will you put the main portion of the milk?” Unsure, the child returned home with the bonus, sacrificing the main portion of the milk.

This narrative reflects a mindset prevalent among many individuals, akin to the child who prioritizes receiving a small freebie, even at the expense of their overall welfare and well-being. Inspired by this observation, I recently penned a poem titled “The Fate of Traded Souls,” which I felt compelled to share.

The fate of Traded Souls

Trading their freedom, a price unseen,

For those who crave all without cost or fee,

Like a sacrificial goat fattened with care,

Their souls led astray, unaware of the snare.

But in the shadows, their souls are sold,

For they barter their free will worth all the gold,

Beneath the guise of gratis delight,

Lurks the burden of slavery, heavy and tight.

In their ignorance they know not what is lost,

Lost job opportunities is just one cost .

Their condition becomes akin to opium addict,

Someone else writing their children life’s script.

Perpetually they would be unable to improve,

Their lives set by their political masters groove.

In democracy they opt for hateable Slavery,

Losing their development, future and dignity.