Stories of Ekhaya (Home) – In this Cramped Taxi with Strangers

The idea that there’s stories everywhere, how something so little can trigger a whole story, is quite fascinating. One small experience is a whole story to someone else, and that's the beautiful thing about storytelling- the ability to find everything meaningful enough to turn it into words.

“Women are supposed to please men in whatever way they can and men are allowed to have as many women as they want.” The s

tranger guy at the backseat of the taxi said, in an argument with a stranger woman.

Now, not even getting into the dynamics of what they were talking about, I felt my face giving this puzzled look with a shocked smile. And as much as I would have loved to share my two cents, I thought just how this would make for a beautiful story.

I know that one thing I know I don’t look forward to when going home is being in a taxi full of people with their groceries and luggage, competing for space with everyone of different sizes in the seats you’re perched on. And I mean, I get it, I am small in body so why should I be complaining? I don’t like the idea of sitting packed around people, and especially when you’re small (like me) - t

hey think you can fit in-between the line that connects the seats simply because you’re “just bones.”

But the thing about being in a taxi is t

hat you get to learn about people’s stories for that time being you’re with them- like the argument between this stranger guy and women. You learn about how they feel about this cousin of theirs, the weather, the president and all matters of politics involved. It’s a circus of stories waiting to be heard and told in a matter of time.

The funny thing is how everyone in the taxi would contribute, you’d think they know each other. Everyone has their

own life, they’re own stories- my friend has told me this is called Sonder. Yet, in that moment, it’s as if their stories aren’t only a part of them but everyone around them.

If there’s anything, I’d take the whole ride just to hear what is being said, but that’d cost me a lot of money which I don’t have, hehe. And maybe, the next time you get in a taxi, listen to what everyone says, you might find something valuable.