In the Mirror of Relativity: The Frailty of Appearances

 **2003**

 

Nothing seems—and maybe it is even absolutely true, even though, while using the term, I might be contradicting myself in using the first word, *absolute*, here instead of using a milder, less sure term of the same genre.

Well, nothing seems to stand for its absolute worth.

If it is a person, his appearance, calibre, wealth and status are mere reflections in the mirror of relativity.

Take, for example, the appearance of my father. As far as appearances go, he is one of the frailest kind. But does his frailty stand within its absolute rights?

Certainly not, because he appears weak and withered, though intellectually he is reasonably robust and well-read in relation to most of those around him.

Most of the time, we find him sickly and frail, for he is actually so against the background of these better-conditioned people.

But by the same rule, the rule of comparativeness, he yesterday appeared full of life.

It was, as is to be expected, against the dry, almost dead, pale, withered and shrunken background of the uncle in the neighbourhood.

Uncle David Singh's health has come downhill to such an extent that he seems a mere lifeless stone of a once fully ripened fruit.

Looking at them sitting side by side, the scattered sinews of life in Father appeared a robust nest capable of withstanding the gusts of survival.