She insulted me!
Just look at her, pulling a face and picking me up with the
tip of her fingers, and listen to her, singing away,
"I found an old sock / In Vladivostok, / I found an old sock
/ Today!"
Me, an old sock? Why, not so long ago, I was beautiful and
snowy white, just like a bride, standing next to my perfect
mate.
True, I am going gray. That's what age does. Until now, I
didn't really want to admit it. I accused the children of not
wearing shoes. I knew this grayness was not the real Me. I
was sure hot water and soap would take it away.
In the end, there is just no feeling yourself. I know I don't
get chosen to go to the shoestore any more. That's the way it
is. Still, it hurts. But I was insensitive myself.
"I found an old car / in Madagascar . . . "
She was just blabbering away then; she thought it was funny.
There was no old car in sight that might get insulted. But
this sock business, it was clearly referring to me.
I know. I know. I have quite a hole in the heel and I am
growing thin at the toes. It seems there is nothing to do
about it: I am an old sock.
To make things worse, I am a widow. I had a beautiful
companion. He was perfect for me. He looks just like me: same
size, same color. But one day, as I was kicked into the
laundry basket head over heels, I lost him. I tried to call
him, but I was smothered by a huge smelly sheet.
I never saw my companion again.
Since then, kind souls, instead of giving up on me, have
tried to set me up. I have gone out with many strange socks,
but none of them was good enough. There was only one in this
world that was so perfectly suited to me. There is none other
like him.
You should see the shidduchim scene. Such weirdos!
This one is too short, that one is too long, and none of them
is exactly the right color. There are so many shades of white
(or grayish)! So sad . . .
So it looks as if my time has almost come. One day, in a near
future, I will probably be cast off like an old sock. That is
my destiny. So for now, let me look back. What have I done
with my life?
I have gone to school on several children's feet. I have gone
to the park. I have gone shopping. I have gone to
shul. I have walked a lot and run a lot, skipped a lot
and danced, too. I shouldn't complain.
I have had a successful and well-filled life.
