Last week’s news featured a story about a family who called 9-1-1 because they couldn’t figure out how to escape a corn maze. Pretty funny, huh?
Well, okay, it was. I laughed. But then I read what happened in more detail (assuming the linked article is basically accurate), and I stopped laughing and started sympathizing. As a person who got in the wrong line when they were handing out directional genes, I relate to that feeling of being hopelessly lost. And I can understand calling for help, especially with two little ones in tow—including a three-week-old infant!
People with a sense of direction might enjoy the temporary tingle of confusion (99.9% of people, to quote the farm owner). I picture a group of friends laughing their way through the maze, commenting to each other, “Isn’t it fun to get lost?” Then, when they’ve had enough, they make a few well-chosen turns and end up on the path that leads to the parking lot—where they have no trouble locating their car.
I, on the other hand (as part of the killjoy .1%), would probably wander for hours, hitting every dead end (more than once in many cases), wishing with increasing desperation that I had used the Porta Potty before heading out, feeling more panicky as shadows lengthen, the air chills, and I encounter fewer and fewer fellow mazers. I’d be thinking, Am I going to be stuck in this *&$# corn field all night? Yeah—about as fun as food poisoning. What’s that number again? 9-1-1?
The news piece said the maze contained posted clues to help people. If these bore any resemblance to the “you are here” maps at malls, it’s no wonder they didn’t help our directionally challenged friends. When my brain tries to interpret a map, it sees east as a right turn and north as uphill (okay, maybe not quite that pathetic . . . well, maybe). Posters in the maze also directed people to text for help. I don’t know what happened with that resource. But if you’re lost, how are you supposed to explain where you are? “I see corn stalks, and sky, and corn stalks.” Really!
So once again, I’m humbled to realize how easy it is to judge and mock people, until we learn more and imagine ourselves in their shoes. If you’re like my hubby, who can follow his nose anywhere on the planet, you would find your way out and go home. If you are like me, you might just admit defeat and call for help . . . again.
No comments:
Post a Comment