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The 'trail' blazer
Did you read about the young lad who died of an overdose? I bet you're thinking how does this classify as breaking news. We hear of such incidents almost every day.
- By Vanaja Rao, Stone Editor
- Published: 23:41 December 11, 2008
Did you read about the young lad who died of an overdose? I bet you're thinking how does this classify as breaking news. We hear of such incidents almost every day. But guess what this youngster overdosed on - deodorant! Sad, strange but true. According to a newspaper report, the 12-year-old collapsed and died from heart problems after overdoing the spraying. An inquest revealed that he died from cardiac arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythms, caused by exposure to solvents in the deodorant.
His father was quoted as saying that he was always putting gel on his hair and spraying deodorant. This description of his son reminded me of some young men in the family who are disposed towards similar behaviour. Should I send them a cautionary note or the newspaper clipping? Or would they interpret the gesture as that of a niggardly aunt who wants to wriggle out of her responsibility of being the provider of such items?
I can see in my mind's eye an olfaction-challenged nephew liberally spraying himself with the can just given to him. The aunt watches aghast as the young man is not content with just a few sprays. Every exposed particle of skin is drenched in the liquid. His mother remonstrates with him not to be so liberal as a little goes a long way. His father comes up with yet another gem about it never being too late to acquire the habit of bathing more frequently. Deaf to all these entreaties, he continues with the task of dousing himself. By the time he has finished, the whole room is reeking. Taking a last fond look at his reflection in the mirror, he exits, leaving in his wake a trail of perfumed vapour.
The adults look at each other in total non-comprehension. When did that cute little kid turn into this sweet-smelling stranger? When did vanity rear its ugly head? As the parents ponder over these imponderables, their gaze suddenly shifts to the aunt. And there is nothing benign in their look now, which seems to say, 'Look what you have done to him'. She is made to feel that, with one ill-advised move, she has made a namby-pamby of their strong 'he-boy', the very same lad who used to regard with scorn anything that remotely resembled feminine wiles.
Offence as defence
Assailed by an unjustified feeling of guilt, the provider of the gift is forced to go on the offensive, saying that she had no idea that he used a container a day, implying that this wastefulness was perhaps a result of poor upbringing and a failure to instil the right values. Soon, the cause of the argument is forgotten as accusations are hurled, caught and deftly lobbed back.
The provider of the presents feels the bile of ingratitude rise in her throat. She tells herself that never again will she make the mistake of bearing gifts if these are to be received so ungraciously. Just as the thought is in danger of crystallising into firm resolution, the object of their thoughts re-enters the room, beaming from ear to ear.
He has bumped into a friend (by the look on his face, it is unnecessary to add that this friend is female and someone who has kindled his interest) who has told him that he smells divine. The adults look at each other helplessly, each thinking the same thought. Is it possible that this girl has lost her sense of smell? Was she born that way or did she lose it somewhere along the way? Or perhaps this occurred when her nasal passage was blasted by the fumes emanating from their man-boy. If so, is she the right person for him? How can any friendship last based on such incompatibility - one with a love of dousing himself in deodorant and the other with no sense of smell? As they are struck silent by their misgivings, the lad sprays himself once again for luck and walks away whistling.
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