ALI Jinnah in his speech at a college devoted exclusively for women said “There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.” He said it at a time where there was this boundless disparity of power between men and women.
I suppose the great divine has created the disparity with a purpose. As proof, Adam came into existence before Eve. But the daughters of Eve were quick to deny the first come first serve rule, that’s no power they say, because all creation starts from a trial version.
Hence, women believe that they are the perfect creation of the Divine. The struggle for power continuous infinitely, so that Tacitus in his observation uttered: “The lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion.”
Relevant to this is the story of Manong Bert, as he is fondly being called. While standing in the podium to deliver his farewell speech – the usual goodbye and good luck taught, invisible tears fell on his eyes. He is now about to relinquished his post as administrator in more than a decade of public service. He recalls the hardship and challenges in one of the most red tape ridden department – the department of education.
Looking at his audience, he wonders if his successor can handle those several problems, which one after the other has infolded his taught, drained his energy and worn out his muscles. I’m old, he whispered. But in front of him are the faces of smiling new employees and colleagues, happy for him.
However, some are happy because in mind are actually salivating and uttering, finish your speech old man and let me have your post. Has served more than a hundred school and a thousand employees, what more can he ask. He has done his best, not to spill all the problems arising from or incident thereto, in the never ending rearing of the young minds.
From overpopulated classrooms, acquisition and inventory of assets reading materials or complex infrastructures, hiring of employees, medical supplies and services, curriculum development and implementation, these are just some of his tasks. He has to insure that all employees in charge thereof are doing their best. Not to discard the employees’ tantrums and simple quarrels which if left unsettled leads to breakdown in relationships -long cherished and taken care of. After this taught, he made up his mind and wishes that maybe a man like him will be his successor.
But after all, it seems that wishes are just wishes and sometimes it will never come true. Before his speech, he has dreamed of three ladies in a front line squaring each other, preparing their war chest and spying each one’s qualification to take his post by crook or by hook. Behind the scene are three men engrave with battle scars watching how the square off will end. To be continued...