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Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Flavier: The parable of the bottle in the desert
By Juan Flavier
THE farmer painfully dragged his emaciated and dehydrated body in the searing heat of the midday sun and parched desert. All his mind hankered for was a few drops of precious water. In every direction, nothing could be seen but wide expanse of sand. No sign of a single oasis or habitation.
He knew he would be dead in a few hours unless he drank something. Apart from a pounding headache, his eyes were beginning to blur.
As his right hand extended another few inches of labored movement, he felt a familiar touch of glass. He frantically groped for the object and the unmistakable figure of a corked bottle emerged. Through the glass, he noted a misty substance.
His last shred of strength returned as he eagerly removed the cork. A hissing sound emitted as though from a carbonated drink. This was followed by a whirling black cloud that quickly transformed into a genie.
The towering hulk of a genie bowed reverently and declared, "Thank you, master, for releasing me from centuries of imprisonment. As per tradition, I now grant you three wishes."
"Wow!" exclaimed the farmer, "Just what I need. First, give me lots of water and food."
Puff! Out flowed a rivulet with crystal water. Beside it was spread a thick rug laden with a feast of steaming hot food.
The farmer dipped his whole face into the water and sipped the precious liquid. Then, he soaked his entire aching body and wallowed in the soothing effect of the water on his burnt skin.
As he emerged from the water, he grabbed at a whole fried chicken with one hand and a crispy pata with the other. His hunger took the better of him as he literally stuffed himself until his abdomen was bloated.
"Your second wish, master," reminded the genie who stood amused at the voraciousness of the farmer.
"Oh, yes," he replied while wiping his mouth with the back of his hands. "Give me a fully-furnished mansion with my family in it."
Puff! And there he was with his family in a four-storey palatial home surrounded by spacious gardens with water fountains all around.
Inside, he found sets of redwood furniture inlaid with mother of pearl. Throughout the mansion were cabinets brimming with silverware and fine china. Huge crystal chandeliers shone in every room.
His own master's bedroom had a queen bed with satin sheets. Mirrors decked the walls. One side opened to a wide balcony.
There were more than enough rooms for his four children and guests. He had never seen such luxury in his life.
His whole family was there. His wife and children, even his mother-in-law. So he made his final third wish.
"I have quenched my thirst and hunger," he mused. "I have been reunited with my family in this mansion. Now for my third wish, I will ask for something I have long wanted to do. I wish my mother-in-law would disappear."
Puff! And the farmer found himself crawling again. Hungry and thirsty in the searing heat of the desert sun.
Moral lesson: Be careful when you find a genie. It may be related to your mother-in-law.
(September 30, 2003 issue)
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