THE VENGEANCE OF TOMATOES!
Long after Onions increased their prices, it was in the news for every reason! Adding to it, a farmer in Bangalore made a one-crore business turnover. Since then, all the vegetables have decided not to discriminate against onions, irrespective of their shape or pungent smell that gives rise to painful tears.
It went on for a while, yet one vegetable that is tasty but treated very common, was Tomato. Due to its lesser shelf life or market dealer's price towards farmer's hard work, it sells at a cheaper rate. This behavior affected the self-esteem of Tomatoes. It was looked down upon for its shape, rotten smell, commonality, and cheaper rates among others. This angered it and started introspecting its worth among family and friends.
It then decided to teach all a lesson and stood at the highest rate of Rs 200 per kg in 2023 leaving Panipuri chat, tomato baths, vegetable curries, and tomato pickles without tomatoes. Small kids started missing Tomato rasam, Idlis without Tomato chutney, and many more. All the households, marriages, and functions were devoid of Tomatoes and people started shedding tears despite it being odorless or as hard as an onion.
News channels in the country made the focus of prime news to be Tomatoes, people started feeling empty without it. Everywhere be it town, city, village, state, or district, Tomato was the talk of the town. Tomato vendors are now the richest among all, making everyone jealous. Their absence from the stall even for a minute drove all crazy to try their hands at getting a few without the vendor's notice. This made Tomato a nationwide demand and farmers urged the government to provide them with TOM PLUS security to save it from threats. Adding to it, a truck carrying tomatoes skidded on a national highway declaring it an emergency and pressuring Police to provide full-arm security.
On the other hand, the bride's parents who offered Tomato curry or pickle in the marriages were treated with utmost respect. Their Son-In-Law was flooded with praises and charmed as lucky to get Tomato-Rich-In-Laws. Neighbors became very possessive about sharing Tomatoes with each other. Kitchen gardens are now provided with security so as to avoid thefts in colonies. Rift began between Mother-in-Laws and Daughter-in-Laws for not using tomatoes in the curries and poor son/husband was sandwiched in their war.
This shook not only Earth but the entire Solar system. Astronauts and Scientists were disturbed as they found buying its seeds and growing them difficult not only on Earth but also on other planets. Aliens have already started making plans to expand their Tomato business so they can become rich and slowly colonize the Earth by luring humans with Tomatoes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Mann ki Baat program has promised to do something about the increasing prices. The media was buzzing with all sorts of news from Rythu Bazar to supermarkets. Everyone pleaded for Tomato to come down, but undeterred it stood adamant in its choice. Showing attitude to the core, it made one final statement, 'DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A COMMON TOMATO'!
