  “I keep the place clean”
I cannot exactly trace the
country I was born nor my date of birth. I am ashamed of it. But my
ancestors have migrated to all parts of the globe. During my childhood
days I underwent a lot of misery. I was treated for various sicknesses.
My father worked hard to keep me healthy and alive. On medical advice a
small electrical motor to which a small fan was attached and fixed to my
body.
The fan rotates at a very high speed. It sucks the air in from one
side and throws it out from the other. Next a cloth bag is fitted in the
machine to collect dust. The bag is made in such a way that it allows
the air to push through while even the tiny dust particles are trapped
when the cleaner is turned on the fan inside spins at a fast speed. And
as the cleaner’s nozzle is pushed along on the carpet, air rushes in
taking dust and dirt from carpet. Then the dust get trapped in the cloth
bag and the carpet becomes clean.
When the fan rotates, a partial vacuum is created inside the machine.
By now I had turned up to be a big made woman. I had many admirers and
most were women. I became their close friend. I was born to serve the
rich. So many women from royal dignitaries to Colombo 7 elite possessed
me. They took me to their palatial homes and was obviously in loving
hands. My routine of work consisted of cleaning carpets, rooms, floors,
library racks and electrical instruments.
I was also used to clean curtains, walls and cars. I was very popular
and known as an electrical appliance for taking up dust and dirt etc.
That is why I was given the name vacuum cleaner. From now success
followed rapidly. The world was awakened to realise my value and turned
me into a commercial commodity for there was big demand from every
corner of the globe. Today I have become a household name among the
rich.
- Tissa Hewavitarane
|
