A political education (a sort of)

One night before closing their eyes my children asked me: "The people are talking about a general election. Could you tell us, mom, what that means, really?" I told them mindfully: "That means, the people cast their votes to elect their representatives who in their turn will elect a new president who will later govern and develop our motherland."

"But we already have a president, mom," they said. "He must step down," I explained. "But why?" was their next query. I said: "Because we need a new leader who'll be brave enough to bring the fallen despot to justice."

The children looked confused "Has he committed any crime, or whatsoever?" This time it was me who was speechless But later I told them about the enormous foreign debt burden which was to be paid by the younger generation. I also related all the tragedies that had victimized our innocent citizens

The children were shocked to hear my chronicle, and to themselves they mumbled: "What a dreadful suffering, all the babies born today will have to shoulder the burden and all the debts to pay, while the president's children live lavishly, with their palatial homes scattered in Europe and the USA."

Alas, my tears were about to drop so were theirs But slowly our eyes we closed because only sleep can make us forget all the dark pictures

-- By Ngatini Rasdi

Translated by TIS