JOIN USBagging a bag
My sister-in-law, who lives abroad, gifted me a handbag recently. But more than it, I am enamoured by the collapsible shopping bag inside the handbag.
The shopping bag is black with a smattering of white polka dots all over. Its one remarkable feature is that it can be folded to the size of a wallet. It has great capacity. It is like a bottomless pit in which I can put all things purchased — bread, eggs, butter, cheese, vegetables, fruit and all and sundry.
The best part is that it is very light. Usually, handbags are voluminous. They keep falling off your shoulder and inconvenience you. It is difficult to make way in a crowded marketplace with the bag on you, as you keep on getting pushed and shoved from all sides.
The shopping bag, though, is easily manageable. I do not take any polythene bags from shopkeepers any more. I directly stuff everything into my shopping bag. It has made me environment-friendly in my own little way. By abstaining from taking plastic bags, I am doing my bit towards preserving our surroundings.
When I tell the vendors to put the items in my bag, they cannot refrain from complimenting it. One said, “That’s one fine bag you carry!” It has become my trademark and a part of my personality. It has also acquired an individuality of its own. One day, I forgot my precious bag at a shop. I only noticed its absence much later upon reaching home, as I had bought too many things that day. I blamed and cursed myself for my profound carelessness.
Suddenly, the bell rang. I opened the door to find the shopkeeper’s helper standing there holding my bag in his hand. I was dumbstruck. “It is yours, isn’t it?” he asked. I replied in the affirmative. He said, “I thought so.” So relieved was I that I thanked him profusely and gave him a generous tip. I hugged the bag as if it were some long lost treasure.
Without it, life would be bereft. That day onwards, I became extra careful and checked and rechecked that it did not get left behind by mistake at any shop. I love it and it is my prized possession. I am slightly selfish and don’t like sharing it with anyone lest they should lose it.
I am indebted to my sister-in-law and thank her from the bottom of my heart for giving me such a wonderful and useful present. Undoubtedly, the bag is of great utilitarian value. The bag has also strengthened the foundation of my relationship with my sister-in-law. My bond with the bag, and my sister-in-law, will certainly stand the test of time.