Photo Guy Ackermans Dear Reader,
Today I am taking a different tack. Normally I write this column in a narrative tone, but this time I am breaking the fourth wall. You see, I need to rectify something.
Last week, I wrote a column in which I proudly repaired my own bicycle. If you read carefully between the lines, you will see that it is also a subtle sneer at our economic dependence on the bicycle repairer. When God looked down from his high cloud, I don’t think he could appreciate my satire. He decided to teach me an ironic lesson.
The next morning, I was startled awake by a loud bang. It sounded like someone was setting off fireworks right under my window. When I stepped outside a moment later to go to college, it became immediately clear to me what had happened – to my horror.
The devastation was complete. Both my inner and outer tyre had exploded. At that moment, I blurted out some words that God might not have liked so much. I looked at the damage and saw that this was simply beyond me.
With tail between my legs, I walked to the bike shop on Boterstraat and briefly told the bike mechanic what was wrong. I thought back to the euphoric moment where I had repaired my own bike. ‘Maybe I went a little too fast after all,’ I thought. I asked the bike mechanic what the damage was. He told me that he would have to replace both the inner and outer tyre and what this affair would cost me.
This might not be immediately clear to you as a reader, but this news hit me like a bomb. For I was presented with exactly the same amount I get for my published columns. The irony was complete. The words ‘God punishes immediately’ echoed through my head.
A confessional salute,
Philip
Philip Timmers (19) is a first-year bachelor’s student in International Development Studies. He likes gardening and is always up for some fun. He enjoys reading in nature on warm summer days.
Translated with the help of DeepL.com.
