Mirror of a Lake: Reflections from a Broken C’ommode

A broken commode rests proudly on the sidewalk overlooking Gulshan Lake. Nature Insights pulls up a chair (with mosquito spray in hand) to conduct an exclusive interview. 

Today, Nature Insights is on location in Gulshan, Dhaka’s crown jewel of opulence, where sleek apartments scrape the sky, cafés serve lattes with gold dust, and even the street signs seem to whisper, “wealth lives here.” But today, we are not here to admire luxury cars or Instagram-worthy brunch spots. No, our focus is far humbler… yet infinitely more revealing. We have come to meet Gulshan’s true elite: a lone, broken commode. 

Yes, a commode. With well-polished sidewalks and lakeside promenades, this porcelain throne sits defiantly by Gulshan Lake, quietly representing the real standard of living or rather, the astonishing lack of it. From its vantage point, it surveys a lake that could easily double as a city sewer, floats alongside polythene “decor,” and even doubles as a full-service mosquito resort. 

Here, life is seen through the eyes of the commode: a life steeped in neglect, yet oddly regal. From industrial runoff cocktails to last week’s takeout leftovers drifting by, this throne has witnessed the full spectrum of Dhaka’s environmental creativity. And somehow, it sits taller, prouder, and let’s be honest far more honest than the glossy brochures behind it, promising paradise in the luxury buildings. 

Nature Insights : Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to speak with us. How does it feel to be stationed here by Gulshan Lake? 

Commode : Busy schedule? My dear, I’ve never felt so free. Indoors, I was just flushing people’s problems away. Out here, I’ve merged with the city’s biggest drain—uh, pardon, “lake.” Frankly, the water and I are indistinguishable: full of plastic, sewage, and an aroma you can smell from a diplomatic mile. 

Nature Insights : Some residents are calling you an eyesore. Others say you symbolize the state of urban waste disposal. What’s your take? 

Commode : Eyesore? No, I’m a mirror. This lake has everything—polythene reefs, oil slicks shimmering like rainbow paintings, and industrial waste marinating with domestic trash. I simply sit here as the official greeter. Call me Porcelain Pollution Ambassador. 

Nature Insights : Fascinating. We’ve heard mosquitoes have taken quite an interest in your presence. 

Commode : They love me! My seat fills with rainwater, perfect for their spa retreats. Between me and the lake, mosquitoes are living better than most Dhaka residents. I’m basically Airbnb for Aedes. 

Nature Insights : That sounds like a public health hazard. 

Commode : Hazard? No, no—it’s heritage. The city has cultivated this watery paradise for years. I’m just the crown jewel on top of their hard work. 

Nature Insights : Do you think you’ll be removed anytime soon? 

Commode : Removed? Please. If the city couldn’t stop factories from dumping waste, drains from vomiting sewage, or households from turning the lake into a dumpster, why would they bother with me? I’ll be here longer than the bridges and walkways. Perhaps they’ll even install a plaque: “Here lies Dhaka’s sincerest piece of urban planning.” 

Nature Insights : Final question. What message do you want to leave for our readers? 

Commode : Simple: When you see me, don’t just laugh at the absurdity. Don’t frown at the decay. Look at the water behind me and ask yourself, "Am I really the problem, or am I just the truth you can’t flush away? 

The commode creaks in silence, its cracked porcelain catching the afternoon sun. Behind it, Gulshan Lake ripples with plastic bags, mosquito larvae, and the faint shimmer of oil. The absurd interview is over, but the stench of reality lingers. Perhaps the commode is right—sometimes the ugliest object is the clearest mirror.