By G VENKATESH

“No water for two days, save what you will”
Loudspeaker blared from a passing van.
Father, mother, son and daughter
Leapt up to fill every bucket and can.

Last few drops from the dripping tap
Collected, probably to make some tea.
“Thanks be to God; it is at least half full”
Said the man to his wife, smilingly.

Family relocated to a water-rich land
No loudspeaker blaring in the morning.
Water for the asking, all year round
A taken-for-granted, ordinary thing.

One day in this water-rich land
When flow stopped for an hour or so
“Why the hell,” they yelled, “is it half-empty?”
Well, folks, was not it “half-full,” just a few years ago?