Metamorphosis!!

I still can't believe the transformation happened in me as well. Not very long back, I was mischievous, yet innocent. Now, after only a little more than a decade has passed, I see the same things very differently.

Things like a super-hero in a movie jumping off infinitely tall buildings to catch the 'bad guys', cartoons that shot arrows at each others' butts, puppet shows etc. that would amuse me then mean nothing now. In fact, they are trampled by criticism. There was a time when the usage of the word "fellow" was thought of as part of abusive language, the word "love" meant nothing other than a boy and a girl hugging each other in hiding and cricket was played with under-arm bowling and 'one-pitch' catching allowed. Weather was no bar to daily outdoor activities. Going out to friends' homes and meeting their parents was common.

Times have changed. 'Fellow' is used freely. Tom, Dick and Harry are addressed 'fellows' irrespective of age, creed, position, etc. Words far more obscene are engraved into every sentence. People talking of "love" are considered liars who seem to be having ulterior motives and using "love" as a pretext to pacify the wolf in them. Nobody seems trustworthy. Smoking and drinking, coolly christened 'fagging' and 'boozing' respectively, are regarded as socializing activities. We want proof of the existence of 'GOD'. Only bet matches and tournaments are played. Fighting on the streets with gangs is fashion. Calling friends home when parents are not available brings immense joy and opens the door wide for a range of "ultra-cool" activities.

How it happened still remains a mystery to me. The only answer people tell me is "you've grown up". Have I? If yes, then why?