Fountain Of Life
Wednesday, November 18, 2009Molave
Dad was terminally ill. No known medicine can cure him, but we’re not ready to throw in the towel yet. We tried herbs, chants, rituals and such. Then I suggested urine therapy. I learned that aside from water, urine is composed mostly of excess vitamins and minerals, but more importantly, it contains antibodies to cure any illness, proof to the age-old claim that the body will heal by itself. In fact, it is the elusive fountain of life. I told Dad to consider it.
Though very weak, Dad gathered all his strength to say, “I’d rather die than drink that.”
Goin Bananas
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Molave
It happened many years ago, when I went bananas. I have eaten three sipi (bunch) of this small and sweet smelling variety before I felt sick. My stomach heaved uncontrollably, and the bananas rose up, choking me. It was painful. I was in agony. I have to cough it out, until not a morsel of banana remained in my stomach. After that I collapsed to my bed. I slept.
For a while, I refused to even look at bananas.
Fishing
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
In the River
Sometimes on weekends, we would go fishing. We run to the river or the rice field’s irrigation system, which was always full of catfish. Apart from bamboo pole, and a hook and line, a can-full of worms completes our fishing gear. We insert the barb into the worm’s gut and push, until the worm completely cover the hook. The hook now disguised as worm works well as bait because it wiggles. It attracts fish. And we practice catch and release, to the frying pan! For me, the highlight of fishing is eating.
Caimito
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Molave
I knew the branches were weak. So I coaxed another boy who was smaller than I was, to move towards the end. He did. As we shook, star apples fell. Then the branch cracked. I held on to the trunk, while he plummeted below! I saw blood. I shouted for help. People came. Then things moved in slow motion. A few days after that fateful afternoon, I saw a boy with a mammoth bandage on his head. He was climbing that same Caimito tree. He beckoned that I come, pick some. I shook my head. Not today my friend.
