The Devil's Luck

One of my favourite fantasy characters of all time is a chap called Mat Cauthon in The Wheel of Time. After an episode with a cursed dagger that almost had him possessed, this guy was cured but was left with one fortunate side effect: luck! Every time there there was something where completely random factors were involved, things would always turn out in his favour. He would win all dice and card games hands down, etc etc.

Exit Mat Cauthon, Enter (trumpets blow) SP. Did you know that I have almost always won some small prize in Housie or Lucky Dip or Lottery or something like that? Never a big prize, though. But some prize. Almost always. You can try it out, too... just think of me and write down my name at the next lucky dip you can be a part of, and tell me if you got a prize! Of course, you'd have to send it to me, since it's in my name :p

Every single astrologer I've met, whether he's read my palm or my horoscope or whatever, has told me that I'm a really lucky person. Well I don't need them to tell me that. Lady Luck always smiles upon me. I've seen a lot of people struggle hard to get the things in life that they want. At almost every stage, they face problems, unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances constantly seeking to flatten to rubble what they worked so hard to build. On the other hand, I've always had it easy. I can't put it all down to careful and meticulous planning, because I'm not really that good a planner. Even if I were, it still doesn't explain how things always work for me. There definitely must be someone up there taking care of me.

I've tried to answer the question, "Do you believe in Luck?" unsuccessfully for something like half my short lifetime. The fact of the matter is that I still don't know what that question means. Nobody can depend upon luck... but one can and must do one's best, and hope that fortune favours the brave.

Cheers,
Prashanth.