The Mythical Life

Just thinking of all those beliefs which ruled my life as a kid -

1. It's lucky to see mynahs in even numbers and unlucky to see them odd. I remember trying hard to chase only the odd one out.

2. It's lucky to see the water snake. They were easy to see because were right next to the stream so I frequently attributed any small luck that befell me to them.

3. If you are going to write an exam, break a green croton leaf into two. If the bubble from the milk is intact, you'll pass the exam, else you may fail. We kept breaking the leaves till we found the bubble intact so it was common to see the plant shorn of leaves during the exam season.

4. It's lucky to meet a cobra. I met once and spilled the milk I was carrying and luckily passed unharmed. This one may be called tough luck.

5. If you smell sannakki, there is cobra around somewhere. I've never seen the proof.

6. If your left eyelid quivers, it's lucky. Unlucky if it's right.

7. Don't leave the book open in the night. If a lizard reads it, you'll become dumb. This one is my favourite.

8. Don't cut your nails in the night. Goddess Lakshmi gets angry and deserts your house. I remember doing it as an act of revenge on my already-poor mother.

9. Dog howling looking up at the sky means someone around is going to die soon; the dog is howling at Yama, the god of death.

Wonder how many of these are still alive.