Confession of Kitchen Clock

By: Anna Bokova
 

In the Ukraine (Eastern Europe) to have a clock in the kitchen of almost every house is a well known tradition. In order to describe this tradition verbally, we use the expression "a kitchen clock" though it may not be common in the English language.

Tick-tock, Tick... Hello! My name is Kitchen Clock. Nice to meet you! It's a pleasure to speak to you. Just do not think it's a kind of joke. Really, you're an adult and you’re not going to read fairy-tails. I'll try not to take much of your time, for who in the world knows its value better than me? I'm going to tell you a real story, not just a fairy-tail.

This is how everything began: Once in the days of my youth, a young couple came to my native shop. They spent a lot of time choosing their purchase. In me, they were attracted by originality and quality. I was bought. In spite of the rustling of wrapping paper, which was trying to slip out of the inexperienced salesperson all the time, I managed to hear the phrases:

"I can imagine how glad Vova and Lena will be! What a beautiful wedding gift..."

But, in a minute, the rustling became too loud; however, the idea of the conversation was clear.

The wedding was noisy. Being in the box, of course, I did not manage to see anything, but a stream of wishes was heard and the music was quite good. Then, I remember the moment when they were undoing me. They were so sweet - this Vova and Lena: upon seeing me they became so glad.

"Honey, honey-- it's for the kitchen, right?"

The words were spoken so fast that it was obvious: the mistress of the house is a first-rate talker and a very kind person.

I did not see them for some time. They went traveling because of their… hmmm... honey-moon. They came back even happier. I like to recall those times. Despite the daily routine that entered their life, she hurried to me: to the kitchen everyday after the work. Fussing, she was trying to do her best: everything for him-- her loved one. There were salads and beefsteaks. It's not a joke: in her plans was a romantic supper in the candlelight.

Tick-tock! The bell rang. In a moment she was back holding flowers. Oh, my sweethearts! Later I became surprised, the mistress of the house did not practice overeating but her belly was constantly growing. Later, everything became clear: they said they were anticipating a child. There was a process of name choosing and they were extremely glad.

Slowly but surely, and here you have…

Tick-tock! Their son Egor was already five-months-old. But something had changed. She was always so tired, shouting at her Vova. And sometimes she demoralized him on the topic of salary. After such conversations he was so gloomy. It seemed to me that something went wrong.

Tick-tock! Everything is being changed. Their baby will have his sixth birthday tomorrow. They're in the process of choosing a school for him. I'm ashamed for Lena. These: her “I've-told-you’s”, will lead to no good. The master of the house comes home gloomier and gloomier. But, of course, he is weakened as well. Where are his bouquets and “here-is-a-chocolate-bar-my-sweety's”? There is nothing of a kind now. Yesterday, she prepared for him such a wonderful dinner, but he... Ooh, I thought I would not withstand that and break. He ate everything without a mere thank you and hurried to watch a football match… or something of that kind.

I'm afraid. Yesterday, here near me, they turned on the radio. There was a broadcast: something about legal advice. Some kind of... I remember it was quite complicated for me. There, they were speaking about divorces. I do not want to find myself amid the things which should be divided.

They are so strange - these pe... Ooh, you also are people! Sorry. I just can’t understand a lot of things. Why are you able to cease appreciating each other? Why spend your time quarreling with each other because of little things, and then you cry, bang the door, or (and it seems to me to be the most terrible thing) just become sulky with each other? Your life is slipping away, but you do not use the opportunities to EXPRESS your sympathy. Or do you think that sloppy sentimentality doesn't suit serious people? You say: “we are getting older and changing”. But it's not true. Time - that's not the point, the point is you.

Sorry if I am generalizing. This is a cry from the heart, as you call it. It's the loudest tick-tock in my life... I pity my Vova and Lena; what about their Egor? He loves his parents so much: I can hardly express it in words. But, unfortunately, he doesn't know how they can love each other. For they did love! Who knows it better than I?

They lack something. How do you call it... “Wisdom”, if I'm not mistaken. These are the words of my grandpa-- Ancient Striking Clock.

I asked him, "Where can they get this wisdom?”

He answered, "One should ask it from God."

His owners were believers. They read the holy book-- the Bible. They read it every day. They asked for this wisdom we speak of, and it was really helpful! They lived in perfect concord. Well, of course, there were those different situations... As the grandpa said, "No one is righteous here on earth". But, they had a rule: not to go to bed with a burden of resentment. They possessed an ability to make up with each other. I wish my owners studied this art.

Once again, I want to say I’m sorry if I got the wrong impression about people. Maybe my owners are an exception? I should probably talk with YOUR kitchen clock. Let it tell me a different story… I hope. I don't want to be wrong. For we are such creatures-- we like exactness.