MMM’s whiff of the dreaded leaf
Cigarette smoking is injurious to health as we all know. Many of us can, The Man from Madras Musings is quite sure, repeat this message in many regional languages as well. Tobacco in any form, be it just a wad, or a cigar, or pressed into a pipe, or puffed from a beedi, causes more harm than good. MMM has believed in this dictum all along and has abstemiously stayed away from the temptations of the leaf that kills. But such are his present circumstances that he must take to it and probably use it for a long period of time.
MMM at the end of a biting spree
It all began with MMM’s good lady, also known as She Who Must Be Obeyed, instructing MMM to go forth and purchase a car of German manufacture. The vehicle in question duly arrived and was installed at Chez MMM, reposing regally in the garage. This being just prior to the COVID lockdown, the vehicle did nothing but repose for many months, during which, and this is where it all bit sharply, MMM kept paying the monthly instalments on the purchase and the amount was not small. That however, as it transpired, was not the only aspect that was biting. Prolonged idleness had made the car a convenient haven for rats, these rodents apparently having a partiality towards cars of German design. MMM guesses that rats as a community are now ISO certified and so prefer vehicles of a certain quality stamp.
The flash, then dash for repair
The net result was that when MMM switched on the vehicle there were several flashes of light and nothing much thereafter. The car had to be sent for repairs and when it returned after some major expenses, the value of which could have funded a smaller vehicle locally made, all was well. MMM was asked to install a rat guard which would prevent rodents from claiming easementary rights on the vehicle. This was done and all was well.
When MMM feared sleeping in sein Auto
That was until the rats managed to evade the guard and get in once more. This time, the vehicle being regularly in use, the damage was minimal (not so the cost of repair) – just one flashing indicator which according to those in the know meant a cable somewhere was cut by the rats. It was back to the workshop and after a week the car was back. It came late in the evening and was lodged in its lair. The next morning when revved up the light was back to flashing which meant the rats had come back and had celebrated with a rowdy party the return of their car. After some further expenses, the car is scheduled to be back in a day or two but MMM brushing aside suggestions of gadgets and ultra-violet lights enquired if some native answer was in place – short of his sleeping in the car that is.
The whiff that has since kept nibblers at bay
And sure enough, there was. The car workshop came out with it rather shamefacedly. A sheaf of long tobacco if kept in the engine compartment apparently works wonders. Rats it seems take our statutory warnings seriously and avoid tobacco like the plague. The only drawback is that the tobacco must be replaced periodically as its organic nature means it decays pretty fast. MMM does not mind. He is quite happy if necessary to grow the tobacco in his back garden rather than incur those huge expenses in repairing the damage to the car. And so, tobacco has its uses. The great God did not create it owing to a mere whim.
Our recent article on the subject in ‘Madras Musings’ can be read here
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