Uncle Podger Needed Help. I Just Needed a Torch.

Uncle Podger Needed Help. I Just Needed a Torch. 20Aug2025

Follow @vrk100

 

Back in college, over forty years ago, I remember reading a humorous essay called Uncle Podger Hangs a Picture by Jerome K. Jerome. 

 

In it, Uncle Podger attempts the simple task of hanging a picture on the wall — but what should have taken five minutes turns into a chaotic household affair involving the entire family. 

 

It was a classic lesson in how not to do things.

Last night, I had my own “picture moment” — only this time, the picture fell by itself at 2:30 AM. Unlike Uncle Podger, there was no commotion, no delegation and certainly no comedy.

 

Just one person, one torch and a quiet clean-up in the middle of the night.

What Happened

 

I had gone to bed around 11:30 PM. At approximately 2:30 AM, I woke up suddenly to a sharp, unmistakable sound — something that clearly looked like a shattering glass. 

 

What amazed me most was that I woke up despite wearing soft earplugs even at night — a habit I've maintained for years to manage the often noisy conditions typical of Indian neighborhoods. 

 

The sound was sharp enough to cut through and I got out of bed right away to check on things.

Getting out of bed, I went straight to my mother’s bedroom to ensure she was okay. She was fast asleep and completely undisturbed, which was a relief. As I turned from her room, I saw the issue: a wall-mounted picture in the living room had fallen.

The picture hadn’t hit the floor directly — it had first landed on a small table placed below it, which had a few books stacked on top. One book had also fallen to the marble floor along with the picture. 

 

The glass in the picture frame had shattered on impact and spread across the living room floor. The thread holding the frame had likely loosened over time and finally given way.

The Clean-Up

I began cleaning immediately. Since my mother was fast asleep in another room, I worked quietly to avoid disturbing her. I picked up the large glass shards by hand, swept the area with an old-fashioned broom thoroughly and then mopped the marble floor to remove any remaining debris.

Fortunately, I always wear slippers inside the house — a small habit that turned out to be quite protective in this situation, helping me avoid any accidental injury from unseen glass pieces.

After finishing the main clean-up, I turned off the lights and used my torch to inspect the floor. By holding the torch low to the ground at a near-horizontal angle, I was able to catch the reflection of several small glass pieces — four or five slivers that had been missed. 

 

I removed those carefully as well.

Only later did I learn that duct tape could be used to lift remaining glass particles. That’s a useful tip I plan to remember.

Aftermath

I finally returned to bed around 3:30 AM. But after the adrenaline and focus of the clean-up, I couldn’t fall asleep. I lay awake, just rolling in bed, until about 5:00 AM — when I finally drifted off for another two hours of rest.

Fortunately, there were no injuries and my mother remained peacefully asleep through the entire episode.

Reflection on Virtues and Investing

Last night’s unexpected cleanup reminded me how patience, discipline, simplicity, and long-term awareness play out not just in life’s small moments but also in investing. 

 

Just as I methodically dealt with broken glass — taking time, following a clear process and focusing on the basics — successful investing demands the same virtues.

Markets may throw surprises our way, but it’s the steady, patient approach over time that helps us avoid bigger troubles and reach lasting success.

P.S.: I briefly thought of taking a photo of the scene — the fallen picture, the scattered glass and the book on the marble floor — but in that moment, resolving the situation quietly and safely felt more important than documenting it. The focus was on cleaning up first. 

- - -