We possibly open and close doors countless times a day but if not done rightly, they can spell trouble and lead to bigger problems. Left unlocked there can be a break-in but in some flats that have self locking main doors there’s a different challenge. The keys if left inside, the owners simply can’t get in until the duplicate keys arrive or locksmith comes to the rescue with his tools. Metaphorically speaking too, when we thoughtlessly shut the door on someone’s face, it may signal the end of the relationship with that person !
We’ve all grown with Alibaba’s adventures and the riches he stumbles on to by uttering the two words ‘Open Sesame’ ! Such stories have signified that ‘opening doors’ are like the opportunities that come in life and must be grabbed. Symbolically too, no door can open without the right key. In school we recall that in our time we had small guide books (also called keys) that gave model answers and tips on how to crack the examinations. Be it the aim of landing jobs, selling goods & services, arranging marriages & in business right reference, guidance works. Today, ‘Networking’ is known to help open many doors.
Sometimes, one must patiently wait for doors to open for civility demands that no one enters without knocking. Gate-crashing and barging in is not likely to get great results. While at work, to be kept waiting to be called inside by the Boss for a firing or news of a faraway posting causes stress. Awaiting one’s turn for the promotion interview outside the board room door was always unnerving and we’ve been through the jitters. But it’s uncanny that good news overcomes closed doors, loyal friends will rush in to say ‘Mithai Khilao’ ! Once when my Big Boss got promoted, his cabin was kept open the whole day !
Fascinatingly for doors, the sounds they make, change with age too. New house has ones that swing noiselessly. After few years (wooden) doors start to sag with weight ! In older homes, the doors and gates have a familiar screech and clang that inmates know. These sound effects have been put to great use in films, specially of thriller and horror genre. In a suspense film, the old door will creak eerily and never open full till pushed.. but in horror movies there’s something ominous behind that door that’s remained long closed. Mansions will have secret doors that lead to alleys and passages providing escape routes to the hero/heroine being chased by alien creatures, bad guys or the sundry villains !
‘There are more things about doors that we can think of ’ to borrow the Bard’s lines. By holding the door open to someone we are showing them that we want to make their life a little easier. It’s graceful and shows that today even if chivalry is retired it’s not dead. As the vintage song goes ‘Mera dar khula hai, khula hi rahega..’ It’s a lyrical message to one’s paramour or friend, that they’re always welcome to share his hearth and home !
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