Running Out of Days

by Taka

Few people knew the exact dates — or even the months — but at least the calendar was simple back then: Earth Day on 22 April, Human Rights Day on 10 December, and just a few extra ones for oceans and peace.

However, with the advent of social media, it became easy for other special days to be promoted  and soon the calendar got crowded. In addition, every time someone had a good cause, it became a new international day. "The result? Not even the so-called experts could keep up, let alone the rest of us.

“Is today World Wildlife Day or World Lake Day.?” someone asked while scrolling social media.

“Neither,” replied a friend. “It’s International Orangutan Day. ”

“There’s a Bee Day on May 20, but I feel sorry for ants because they work as hard as bees. Let’s set up a Don’t-Step-on-Ant Day the next day!”

“That won’t work. May 21 is taken… by International Tea Day, of all things.”  she said, sipping her coffee.

“So how about September 18? It’s my birthday, and I could celebrate while respecting ants’ contribution to the ecosystem.”

“Nope, that’s International Equal Pay Day.”

The International Special Days Organization acknowledged the jam-packed calendar and proposed a motion to extend the year to 555 days, insisting it was no laughing matter. Governments held emergency meetings. Economists warned it would disrupt time itself. Clocks panicked.

“Anyway… were all these special days really necessary in the first place?” another friend asked, and the parrot beside him instantly echoed it ten times louder.

On the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, influencers posed with potted plants under the blue sky and captioned it, “Nature is healing 🌿.” The very next day, they fired up diesel generators for their outdoor event.

On World Animal Day, hashtags trended. For 365 days - World Animal Day, no one cared about animals except their pets.

In the natural world, Earth called an emergency meeting with all animals (humans not invited). The decision was unanimous:

“Forget special days. Make every day worth living.”.