At some point in life, many of us would have experienced the torment of not being able to do despite wanting to, thus ending up making the most of whatever best we could. We are reminded in such times about the old adage ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade’. This, my dear friend, is not true. Here is why.

The other day, I was at an event where I met a youngster, around twenty odd years old, who was complaining about the state of things in her life. She went on and on, and the more I heard her, the more I felt the need to keep quiet and give her my patient and empathetic ears. I had no words to encourage the glib youngster when she told me that life has denied her the right opportunities. She concluded dismissively, ‘When life gives you lemons, what can one do!’

On my way back home, I decided to walk and mull over the ravings of the young one. To be honest, I think she had jumped the gun too soon to conclude ‘what can one do’. I wish she knew that at her age, life has just begun. There is so much to look forward to. Definitely there will be uncertainties, betrayals, failures, but then there will also be hope, culminations, successes and rewards. “Life is beautiful,” is what I wanted to tell her but did not. I wish I had, perhaps she would have understood too.

I continued walking in the pleasant chill of the winter. It must have been around half a kilometre away from home, when from a distance I noticed a pile of lemons on a cart. I recall it was around half past ten in the night and most of the vegetable vendors had shut shop. This cart stood out vibrantly in its yellow glory amidst the dimmed lights of the day. I wondered whether the lemons on the cart and the youngster I had met had any connection.

A shrill shout “Take some lemons!” jolted me back to reality. I noticed a young boy standing across the cart. He too seemed to be twenty odd years old. In the wintry night, he was in his vest which was not only dirty but also in tatters. I asked the boy why his cart was still open. He replied, “Sir, it is New Year day after tomorrow. I will sell all the lemons and celebrate the new year.” Seeing his unkempt condition and clothes, I felt a tad bit sad for him. Life had given him way too many lemons, yet here he was happy and hopeful. He smiled and replied, “When life gives you lemons, celebrate!”

I was touched by the chap’s attitude. I asked him to pack me some lemons so that I may also celebrate. He gave me seven for Rs 20/-. I asked him, “How much for Rs 100/-?”. He beamed and packed 75 pieces. I enquired if he had got his math right. He said he had got it right because it’s better to give away than to waste the lemons. As I left, he shouted from behind, “Happy New Year, Sir!”

I wonder if there is a word to express the feeling of sadness and happiness together. I felt sad for the boy’s condition but was happy about his positive attitude. I also felt good about the discount… 75 lemons for just Rs 100! By the time I reached home, my happiness because of a good deal had withered. My daughter opened the door and exclaimed, “So many lemons!!! Why?!” I was embarrassed and at a loss of words. I agreed I should not have gotten carried away and bought so many lemons.

The lemons stayed that night on the kitchen shelf. And, it stayed there for the next night too. And, the night after that also (the New Year eve night). By then, my wife had started giving me askance looks. It was a signal to remind me how I had lectured her for hours on her frivolous purchases, and here I was epitomising glorious frivolities of life! My son walked by suppressing a smile. I asked him why he was beaming ear to ear. He said, “Nothing! Just like that!”. My daughter was more forthright. “Are you going to do something about the lemons!”, she commanded. I realised that it was about time I did something to uphold the respect of being the eldest in the family. I quickly googled and found two rather simple recipes – one for ‘Lemon Marmalade’, other for ‘Lemon Pickle’. In the next two hours, on the first of January 2023, I celebrated the new year by making ‘Lemon Marmalade’ and ‘Lemon Pickle’. The words of the boy-in-tatters had come true – “When life gives you lemons, celebrate!”

I wish to end the post here, but there is one unresolved matter… the issue of the ‘what can one do’ girl. If I ever meet her again, I will advise her, “When life gives you Lemons, make Marmalade.” This, my dear friend, is the new truth of 2023.