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Thursday, September 23, 2004
Flavier: The parable of the sick woman
By Juan Flavier
THE old woman was in a very critical condition. For days she lay in bed burning with fever. Due to her advanced age, people knew it would just be a matter of time. They decided to inform her closest relatives living in the city.
Dutifully, they came to pay their last visit before the woman breathed her last. Naturally, they wanted something to be done to relieve her of the high fever. But a doctor was not available. Only the albularyo living at the edge of the barrio. He was called in with his herbs and incantations. As he entered, a dog followed and reclined beside the patient. Not wanting to offend the albularyo, the relatives said nothing and tolerated the dog.
The old woman was delirious with the heat of the fever. Fortunately, she became lucid after the effects of the albularyo's decoction.
She opened her eyes and said, "I liked that priest. He was extra gentle and very soothing."
"That was not the priest, Tita," corrected a niece gently as she wiped the woman's forehead with a moist towelette. "That was the albularyo. He came to treat you of your illness."
"No wonder. He was quite forward and a bit too personal for a priest," said the woman feebly. "And, yes, how wonderful it is to see you all here."
Unfortunately, after just a few hours, the high fever recurred and the patient was again delirious. So the albularyo was summoned at once.
He promptly arrived and, as he entered, the dog proceeded to the patient and reclined beside her on the bed. Again, to avoid offending any sensibilities, the animal was left alone.
"I am sad to see the high fever has come back so quickly," apologized the albularyo. "You see, I am not too good at fevers. But let me know if she progresses to convulsions. I am good as hell with fits." He then proceeded to repeat the same treatment performed earlier.
As he left, a nephew shouted to the albularyo, "you forgot your dog!"
The albularyo looked back and said, "That is not my dog. I thought it was yours which was why I allowed it on the bed with the patient."
The woman felt better once again. Nevertheless, she said, "I may not have much time left. Is there something about my life that you want to know before I pass away?"
Her relatives were reticent because to do so seemed equal to wanting her to die. One niece casually asked, "Can you explain to us your complete devotion to your husband? Ever since, we distinctly remember how you always let Tatang eat first. You diligently served him. Only when he was completely finished would you ever eat. That was certainly the height of service and loyalty."
"That is simple," replied the old woman almost in a whisper. "We had only one set of dentures. He used it first during mealtime. So I had to wait for him to finish before taking my turn with the false set of teeth."
(September 23, 2004 issue)
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