Tales from West Africa by Martin Bennett - Essay Example

Running Head: Writing...... Topic: Writing paper Order#: 420245 Topic: writing paper 1. “Head over Heart,*” is a tale from West Africa. This is a story told to me from my Mom. She had a fond hope that I should graduate from a good school and turn out to be an intelligent boy.....like the monkey in the story. She used to tell me many stories, and her stock of stories was so vast, she hardly repeated stories for months together. But this one, she often repeated. This is the story. Millions of years ago there was a wise monkey. You know, monkeys are fond of jumping from one tree to another and swing from one branch to another. This mango tree was near the seashore. It was brimming with juicy mangoes, as tasty as the ice-cream! The monkey ate mangoes for the breakfast, for lunch and for dinner. They-were so tasty. It played by throwing mangoes into the sea. The sound of the ripples when it fell into the sea, the splash and the spray, delighted it. The stock of mangoes was plenty as God sent fresh mangoes to the tree everyday and it was a lovely sight to see the mangoes. A shark swimming and relaxing by the sea-shore liked this play of the monkey. It caught the mangoes, with its long mouth, and teeth wide open. It liked the generous monkey which threw mangoes into the sea, throughout the day. Soon, they became intimate friends. One say the Shark told the monkey, “ You are so generous. I must reciprocate your friendship. Come and visit our Shark Kingdom. I will introduce you to the King.” “Thats is a good idea, but not practicable. My fur will get wet. You know, we monkeys do not lik our fur to get wet.” “I will carry you on my back. Hold on to my fin tightly,” insisted the Shark. The monkey agreed. Next day, the monkey was on the back of the shark and the shark began to swim fast. Soon they were in the mid-sea. The monkey was afraid at the sight of the vastness of the sea and the big waves....it suddenly wished to return back to its mango tree but how could he do that? ...and the shark was overjoyed. “Today my King will be very happy. He will have the monkeys heart for lunch!” he mused. His plan to trick the monkey had worked. “Halt, my dear friend shark...I am visiting your King for the first time but havent got a gift for him. I should have carried a basketful of mangoes.” “Doesnt matter....You are my friend with a kind heart. I will explain it to the king.” The word lashed at the ear-drums of the monkey as if! An old money had advised it once. “ Do not to go near the sea shore, as the sharks were very fond of the heart of the monkeys.” “In fact, I readied a basketful of mangoes for your king. I wished to take a bath, and the monkeys do not take their hearts to the bathroom and I kept my heart in the mango-basket. The basket remains hanging to a branch of the mango-tree. In hurry to jump on your back, I forgot the basket as well as my heart!” Now, the shark was mortally afraid. Only yesterday it had broken the news of fetching the monkey. Monkey without the heart--the King will be angry and may even kill the shark! “Lets rush back and get it!....well....well....the King will be pleased with the basketful of mangoes!” said the shark. “Why not! Hurry up!” said the monkey. Now the shark swam with extra speed. Soon it reached the shore. Feeling safe, the monkey jumped to the tree. It quickly picked a raw mango and threw it with such great power that two long teeth of the shark were broken! “Present them to your King...say compliments from the monkey!”...the monkey, then quickly jumped to another branch of the tree. 2. A big fire place Men, women and children in colorful attire, dance around! They dance and sing! They sing and dance to the rhythm of beating of the drums! My Indian friends, what you are doing? Why you are charged so much? What are you up-to? ----My Patel friends live in the same community at Richmond, as we do! He invited me for the community dinner on the eve of the Holi festival, to celebrate which, the fire place was specially erected in the lawn of their residence. Patel tells me that the Holi festival that is celebrated in all parts of India, has mythological,cultural and social significance. The many legends related to Holi festival advise people to remain honest in their lives, reveal the importance of good conduct, and to be virtuous. The message is important when humankind, under the impact of the materialistic civilization, has resorted to evil practices, and aggrandizement of wealth, even at the cost of others. Evil tendencies like smoking, consuming alcohol and drugs ruin the lives of the combustible younger generation. This festival, is the annual reminder to the humanity to be good and do good. India is a primarily an agriculture-dominated country with over 70% of the people depend upon it for their livelihood. Holi is celebrated at the time of harvest and the farmers are expecting good returns for the hard toil done during the year. They have a reason to rejoice. Holi gives the message of camaraderie between the different communities of the society. During Holi, even the enemies turn friends and celebrate the festival jointly, forgetting the ill-will. This festival is celebrated by all, with no differentiation between the poor and the rich. The spirit of bonhomie and brotherhood is the hallmark of the Holi festival.During Holi visiting f friends and relatives is a rule and not an exception. They distribute candy, chocolates, traditional sweets, gifts and greetings. This helps in renewing relationship and strengthen emotional bonds. All these details kindle great curiosity in me. But Patel, who is a scientist, has something more to tell about this festival, which amazes me. “Apart from fun and frolic, the timings of celebration of Holi festival is appropriate from the scientific point of view. Human beings tend to be lazy during this time, due to climatic changes from cold to heat. Winter beats retreat and summer arrives. To counter the inertia in the body, during Holi festival, loud music is sung and listened to. The natural colors sprayed on the body during the celebrations, penetrate the pores of the skin. It rejuvenates the cells and contributes to the health and glow of the skin. The mutation period between winter and spring, is conducive to the growth of bacteria. With many thousands of fireplaces all around in a township and the tradition of people going round the fireplace, bacteria are killed, thus cleansing the atmosphere. Special drives of cleansing the houses and the areas are specially drawn up a few days before the Holi. Mosquitoes and other harmful pests are eliminated .A clean house is the source of positive energies.” Holi festival is indeed an Indian wonder! I thank my friend Patel for the information and for the sumptuous lunch! ************** References: Bennett, Martin. Tales from West Africa, Oxford University Press;1994 * Story(1) based on the story, “Head over Heartg.” Read More