[Translations] The walkers
There are two categories of people who go out for a walk. The ones who frequent the same place everyday and the ones who seek out a new place each day. Sometimes, the new place the latter discover is the same place as the former frequent. But, for the latter it would be a new place after all.
On their way, the ones who frequent the same place may come across the ones who seek out new places. While passing by each other, they would wonder as to how some reach the same place and some, a new place while treading the same path.
Then there are the ones who frequent the same place only to realize one day that it is but a new place. Then they think of themselves to be amongst those who seek out a new place each day. Their ignorance stems from obliviousness. Like suddenly a day a husband would seem a stranger to his wife and a father would find his son to be a stranger. Contrary to what some may conclude, this is not a symptom of any ailment. This is the symptom of a change. When this change occurs, one gets attracted to someone from the same sex, a student starts teaching his teacher, a pet dog bites his master, trees question the human race, rivers overflow their banks and one world invades the other.
Those who are in the habit of discovering new places everyday may realize one day that the place they considered new was not one after all. Feeling ashamed, they would conceal this fact from the world. As a result, many would for many years walk towards the same place each day under the false pretext of walking to a new place. One day, someone would fearlessly shout and tell the world the truth. Then, what was unknown would become familiar. Those who wanted to seek out new places would abandon old paths. The world can even be changed this way; however, they are unaware that there is a tiger lying in wait on the new path. Finally, the world starts believing only in people who do not venture out on a walk.
On their way, the ones who frequent the same place may come across the ones who seek out new places. While passing by each other, they would wonder as to how some reach the same place and some, a new place while treading the same path.
Then there are the ones who frequent the same place only to realize one day that it is but a new place. Then they think of themselves to be amongst those who seek out a new place each day. Their ignorance stems from obliviousness. Like suddenly a day a husband would seem a stranger to his wife and a father would find his son to be a stranger. Contrary to what some may conclude, this is not a symptom of any ailment. This is the symptom of a change. When this change occurs, one gets attracted to someone from the same sex, a student starts teaching his teacher, a pet dog bites his master, trees question the human race, rivers overflow their banks and one world invades the other.
Those who are in the habit of discovering new places everyday may realize one day that the place they considered new was not one after all. Feeling ashamed, they would conceal this fact from the world. As a result, many would for many years walk towards the same place each day under the false pretext of walking to a new place. One day, someone would fearlessly shout and tell the world the truth. Then, what was unknown would become familiar. Those who wanted to seek out new places would abandon old paths. The world can even be changed this way; however, they are unaware that there is a tiger lying in wait on the new path. Finally, the world starts believing only in people who do not venture out on a walk.
Translated in prose form from
“nadakkaan pokunnavar”, a poem in Malayalam by Satchidanandan.
Vijay © 8th May, 2007
posted by Mahfuuz | 10:20 PM
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