everyone starts with a cycle

It must have been sometime in the month of March when we went to Kuwait city and bought a tricycle for him so that he can learn to pedal and drive it around inside our home. In our days it was a simple one without any fancy accessories or decorative items. These days it comes in different colors with fancy additions like some of the cartoon characters as part of the ensemble, in various color combinations that would immediately attract attention at the sight of it. There was also a stick attached to the end with which you could push it around, in case the child does not want to pedal it. And finally, these are mass produced in China, factory of the world at dirt cheap prices. Consumerism has spread far and wide and has made us buy items that are quirky and ingenious than for their functional value. It’s here to stay though as the kids love them and the affluent parents like to flaunt their capricious purchases and prized possessions. We live in a world of make believe where appearance and acquisitions matter most to not only satisfy ones personal whims but to brandish them to the entire world to proclaim proudly, hey, I can afford to buy them…you know…