Penicillin was hanging his head over the recliner, taking a scroll down memory lane and recalling his good old days. He spent his youth serving medicine. While his coworkers had inborn inclinations for ototoxicity, Grey Baby Syndrome, epigastric distress etc., his focus of attention was “disease-free mankind”. He ruled the antibiotic world. Doctors were humbled by his dedication. He was least toxic and a down to earth antibiotic! Then came the period of downfall of his empire which shattered him completely. The process of penicillin’s decay begun when Staphylococcus Aureus, cunning and crafty leader of bacterial community, called a large official meeting at “the great Pacific garbage heap”.
All the bacteria were bound to attend that conference. Innumerable bacteria gathered in the garbage heap. They were all curious, as to why staphylococcus aureus had called them. They had no inkling of what was going on! E.coli came to attend the conference too. She was beautifully dressed, walking with a waddle in her stilettos, immedi- ately grabbed the attention of most of the bacteria around there. “Such a filthy, stinking place” she muttered under her breathe.
As the smell of garbage drifted through the air she wrinkled her nose in disgust. Pseudomonas standing beside her asked politely “where are you from lady?” “From ileum” she answered with a blank expression. “I’m from upper respiratory tract” pseudomonas wanted to continue the conversation. “I guess ileum is a dangerous area, so many Payer patches there, isn’t it?’’ He asked. “They don’t mess with me; we have signed a peace treaty” After a brief pause she further added “In fact, I’m the official member of Natural Flora Club” “this sounds great, I often visit ileum during my septicemia missions” “Even today I will be passing right by your hometown, So can I take you out to dinner in appendix restaurant, in your area?” He asked with all the courage he could muster.
“No hurry no worry no flurry “ “Asking for a dinner, is too early” dumpy klebsiella interrupted in a lyrical way. “I’m klebsiella from colon” he felt obligated to introduce himself. “You seems to be very poetic” said E.coli. “Terrific, politic, fantastic, whichever you prefer” “Pathetic” pseudomonas growled a sarcastic reply. “Excuse me for a moment” she said and left. “You creepy colonic creature, you spoilt everything” pseudomonas collared klebsiella. “Come on I was trying to help you out.
You should have asked her for coffee. Unlike a lengthy commitment a sit-down dinner necessitates, the coffee-shop date comes complete with an adjustable expiration time. Start out with something small yet sophisticated like cortado or macchito you can easily sip and savor these strong little jolts but they are also perfectly chuggable in case of emergency I was about to suggest that instead of dining in appendix restaurant “ “Shut your face! It wasn’t a date” “OKAY hang-out? “ “In between” “Quiet all of you” staphylococcus aureus roared deafeningly. He then addressed the assembled company. Bacteria were all ears with undivided attention. “You people haven’t yet woken up to the seriousness of the situation. Penicillin is our aggressive enemy.
He hate us with violent hatred. We have to do something immediately without delay otherwise we will lose some of our species, although it is less likely but not impossible” Panic stirred within the crowd. Their cell walls were shivering with fear. “What will we have to do sir” asked pseudomonas between hope and concern. “There’s nothing you can’t fix” klebsiella uttered suddenly.
Staphylococcus aures gave him a disdainful stare and add- ed thoughtfully “we will have to change our genetic material; only a proportion of it.” All bacteria nodded meekly. “I know it’s a tough job but we have to endure this period of hardship and pain. Now you all may disperse” “Grandpa where are you grandpa?” Vancomycin’s voice intervened into the flow of memories coming into penicillin’s mind. He plopped onto the couch.
He knew that penicillin was upset. He knew the reason behind his grand pa’s grief. “Not able to do anything is a real downer” penicillin said to him in a tremulous voice. Vancomycin swore vengeance on his grandpa’s foes.
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