Playing with scissors or knives can cause fights

[Scene: A small tea shop in Lahore. It’s evening, the sound of car horns and azaan blend with clinking cups. Ali and Hassan are sitting at a corner table with steaming chai and samosas.]

Ali (snatching a pair of scissors from Hassan’s hand):
“Oye! Don’t play with that! You’ll start a fight. Haven’t you heard? Playing with scissors brings quarrels.”

Hassan (smirking):
“Ali bhai, I was just twirling it. It’s not a cursed talwar. Besides, how can scissors cause a fight unless you’re throwing them at someone?”

Ali (serious face):
“Yaar, it’s not a joke. My cousin Saeed once kept clicking scissors like this during a wedding. Two hours later, his chacha and phuppa got into a massive fight over the menu. Coincidence? I don’t think so.”

Hassan (laughing):
“Maybe they were just hungry and cranky? Scissors don’t make people argue, bad biryani does.”

Ali (defensive):
“You joke now, but our elders didn’t make up these things for no reason. There’s wisdom in these traditions. Playing with sharp things brings negative energy—it disrupts the peace of the house.”

Hassan (leaning in playfully):
“Negative energy? So if I juggle knives, my house turns into a WWE ring?”

Ali (half smiling, half serious):
“Mock all you want, but my ammi says it happened in our family many times. Someone played with scissors, next day—bam! Argument over who got more land.”

Hassan (raising an eyebrow):
“Bro, you come from a big family. People argue over land, over dowry, over how much sugar to put in chai. Blaming the poor scissors is unfair.”

Ali (chuckles):
“So what do you think—everything is just random? No unseen forces, no warnings from the universe?”

Hassan (thoughtfully):
“Look, I believe actions have consequences—but not because of magic. If someone plays with sharp things carelessly, someone might get hurt. That might cause a fight. But it’s not the scissors’ fault—it’s the person’s.”

Ali:
“So you’re saying it’s about behavior, not superstition?”

Hassan:
“Exactly. It’s like when your dad tells you not to whistle at night—not because jinns will come, but maybe to keep you quiet so people can sleep!”

Ali (grinning):
“Okay, fair. But admit it—some of these superstitions keep people disciplined.”

Hassan (nodding):
“True. But instead of scaring kids with ‘don’t do this or you’ll start a fight,’ why not just say ‘don’t wave sharp objects around, it’s dangerous’? That’s both safe and honest.”

Ali (sipping his chai):
“Hmmm. So you’re saying the superstition is like… the desi version of a safety warning?”

Hassan (raising his cup):
“Exactly! Our ancestors were like early health and safety officers—just with a flair for drama.”

Ali (laughs):
“Okay okay. Maybe you’re right. But I’m still not letting you juggle scissors at my wedding.”

Hassan (smiling):
“Deal. I’ll bring balloons instead. Much less controversial.”

[They laugh, clink their tea cups, and go back to enjoying the Lahori evening, with scissors safely tucked away in the drawer.]