Monopoly

It has been raining relentlessly for days now. Small puddles of water start to form on roads, which birds then fly into to take a shower. Homes of the smaller creatures such as ants were destroyed by the onrushing water, leaving them no choice but to abandon their homes in search of higher grounds. Furred animals such as cats and dogs, especially the stray ones are forced to seek shelter to keep themselves dry and away from the rain; probably a precautionary step to avoid catching a cold or something like that. The plants and trees were probably dancing in the streets, as they were able to receive much needed water after having to survive for months without water. Aside from that, household lizards were also having the time of their lives whilst feasting on the helpless insects which took cover from the rain. Not too far from my place, workers from nearby construction sites had to stall their work for the fear of landslide occurrences. Workers of construction sites are also often told by their bosses that apart from the occurrence of landslides, the damp and muddy soils which have no real support can also lead to the happening of unwanted accidents; which could cost the construction company dearly.

The rainy conditions outside forced me to seek shelter amidst the comfort of my own home. The thunder and lightning which followed after the rain had started made it impossible for me to use the internet; which if I did, would lead to unwanted scenarios. Well, being a LAN network user, I find it not advisable to surf the net during the occurrence of a lightning; cause its pretty hazardous. Thus, I decided to read a book instead. Shakespeare's, 'Romeo & Juliet' was my primary choice. This celebrated novel is probably the most well-known, if compared to Shakespeare's other works, such as Hamlet or Twelfth Night. It did not take me long to grow bored of reading. So, I then decided to divulge in another activity which is seemingly unproductive if compared to the previous activity that I was occupying myself with. It was none other than playing games on my mobile phone. In my mind, I felt it as a waste of time, and it did not take me long to abandon that too. Being bored and feeling that my mind is not being put to good use, I decided to talk my sisters who were busy with their homework into playing a game of monopoly with me.

My youngest sister, who saw this as an opportunity to avoid doing her homework for the time being welcomed my request with open arms. My other sister who was the 2nd eldest in the family, didn't really see the idea of playing monopoly to be a good and useful way to spend her time. But after much persistence, my youngest sister managed to convince my 2nd sister that playing monopoly was a great idea. My youngest sister is very good with words and really knows how to convince other souls into doing stuff which at first, they(the other people) did not feel like doing. With that sort of talent, she ought to become a lawyer or something. Honestly, I'm the biggest crook when it comes to games that involve money and business dealings. Also, I've cheated in a few occasions. But who cares, its only just a game right? Anyway, my youngest sister chose to car, while my youngest sister chose the ship. I on the other hand, chose the basket. I'm not sure why but I seem to like the basket, for its more stable than the other characters in the board game. We started not long after we had chosen our characters. My youngest sister started first as the number she had acquired was the biggest amongst us. I was last though.

In truth I ain't really a lucky bugger when it comes to tossing dices. It never was and will never be my forte I guess. A round passed and I was the sole remaining player who was behind the others, probably by a mile. My youngest sister who was leading the pack, did not hesitate to buy whichever property she landed on. She's just giving us a tough time. Psychologically, I was disturbed for I feared all the good places will be gone by the time I passed 'GO'. My greatest fear was that the property of my preference would be purchased by either one of my sisters. The property which I admired most was Boardwalk. The magnanimously high rents, were a painstaking task that every opponent wouldn't like to comprehend; especially if a hotel was erected on it. The mouthwatering rental sum of $2000, is something everyone who plays monopoly would love to avoid. My fears turned into reality not long after as my youngest sister also known as 'the relentless purchaser of properties' bought Boardwalk for $400. The hefty price of Boardwalk was something that my sister was willing to pay for, even if it required her to mortgage properties that she already possesses.

By the time the fifth round had commenced, I was probably the player with the least number of properties. I also owed to bank $150 courtesy of me landing on Luxury Tax in a number of occasions. A rounds fee might probably pay up my debts. But unluckily, I kept landing on the Income Tax column on the board. Owing the bank $150 and not being in possession of 6 or more properties was pretty embarrassing for a person like me; who had devoted the most part of my childhood playing monopoly with my uncles and cousins. By the end of the thirteenth round I was declared bankrupt, after having landed on Boardwalk for the second time in a row. Losing monopoly probably concluded my day as being an ill-fated one. My youngest sister, who had won the game, was dancing in the streets; overwhelmed by the joy of triumphing over her elder brother. Nonetheless, I still find the board game by Parker Brothers to be a very good game. It is also one of those game that can help people who find mathematics to not being their forte. As soon as we finished packing, the rain subsided. Within seconds, the sun shined brightly above the horizon.

I was probably the happiest person of all to have witnessed absence of raindrops and the presence of the big round sun, for I can now the surf the net; which I had been dying to do a couple of hours ago. My sisters though weren't that very keen on the idea of continuing their homework; but they haven't any other choice.