The second hand

Part 1

The second hand believed it was pulling the minute hand and the hour hand along all by itself. Without it, the clock would stop. The clock couldn’t possibly run. But today, after it came loose, it realised the clock was running along at its own pace just fine. The minute hand and the hour hand had never depended on it. That was only its own mistaken belief. Maybe without the second hand the clock looks a little odd, but it still works perfectly well.

Part 2

When it came loose and saw the clock running perfectly well without it, the second hand was a bit stunned. At that moment it had two roads in front of it. It could forget everything, leave the clock, go somewhere else and start a new life. Or it could admit its mistake to everyone, ask for forgiveness and go back to its place.

But the second hand had something else in mind. It was never willing to bow down. Envy and pride had swallowed it whole. It turned vengeful. It wedged itself between the minute hand and the hour hand in such a way that, even though it hurt itself, it forced their lives to stop.

I had been thinking that in a few days I would fix the clock myself and put the second hand back in its place. But no. Those who think like that are better left out of the household.