|
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Flavier: New landlord
By Juan Flavier
COMMENTARY
THE latest buzz in the barrio was the change of ownership of all the lands the farmers tilled. They had a new landlord.
No one had as yet met this new owner of their fields. All they heard from others invariably pictured the man as ruthless and even inhuman. So cruel, they said, that erring tenants were routinely lashed with a buntot pagi.
As days rolled on, the rumor mill generated more and more hearsay remarks on the complete devilry of the man.
Thus, it was understandable that the farmer trembled with fear when he saw a black Mercedes Benz whip up clouds of dust as it sped through the dirt road. Without warning, the car screeched to a halt right beside the farmer who had to leap aside to avoid being run over.
A bulky man sporting a thick moustache alit. With a swagger, he accosted the farmer. “I am Don Julio, the new owner of this barrio and all the fields around. Are you one of my tenants?”
“Yes, Don Julio, I work in your land,” replied the farmer with measured meekness and show of politeness.
Without warning, the landlord pulled out his pistol. He pointed it towards the farmer’s head and shouted, “Just to put you in your place and settle once and for all who is the master of this barrio...kneel down and eat that carabao dung on the road.”
It was the height of humiliation for the farmer. But he had no choice. As he obeyed the command, the landowner laughed aloud as his shoulders and bulging belly convulsed with glee. The man shook so violently he unwittingly dropped his gun.
Still on his knees, the farmer quickly snatched the weapon. Instinctively, he aimed the gun at the landlord and said in a quivering voice, “Now it is your turn to eat the carabao dung.
Without his gun, the landowner groveled in fear and did as he was told.
The next day, the farmer met his friend at the plaza.
“Have you met the new landlord of our barrio yet?” the friend inquired innocently.
“Why, yes,” replied the farmer. “In fact, Tuesday we had lunch together.”
(Juan Flavier writes for Sun.Star Baguio)
(June 26, 2003 issue)
Want Sun.Star news on your mobile phone? Click here.
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
