More straw
Your Sunday "By the way" column never fails to tickle and tingle. Zatni Arbi's The last straw: Are camels stronger on Dec. 29 using straw as an allegory was a superb story. The quotes it carried gave his story depth and substance. Come to think of it, it seems, his straw can't be dismissed. It would linger, provoke, expand and charm.
Getting sacked is not something extraordinary and there may be solid reasons to sack an employee. But it is the straw -- such as "he laughs too loudly," or "his tie is always askew" -- that finally makes it happen.
Straw is partial to the camel. The story of the Arab, his donkey, a load of salt and a river to cross, says so. Carrying a heavy load of salt, the donkey slipped and fell into the river. It struggled for a while but when on its legs again surprisingly found the weight off its back, for the salt had dissolved in the water. The donkey found an answer to his problems. Two more times the donkey did the same on purpose and got away. The third time was the last straw.
The Arab put a huge bundle of sponge on the donkey's back. This time the load was light but the donkey wanted to make it lighter. Pretending to slip he plunged into the river. The load of extra dry sponge, thirsty and waiting, got fully soaked up and the load became so heavy the donkey could barely get up. For a change, the last straw broke the donkey's back.
Straw is also a big confession getter. There is the story of a monkey and a crocodile. They were friends living on either side of a river. The monkey fed choice fruits to the croc and the croc enjoyed it. It cemented their friendship. Then Mrs. Croc came on with morning sickness and funny desires. Feverishly she longed for the monkey's heart, excited that it should taste far sweeter than the fruits Mr. Croc had carried to her in his courtship days. Mrs. Croc hatched the plot. Mr. Croc invited the monkey with a straight face for a dinner in his house. The unsuspecting monkey accepted it and rode on Mr. Croc's back.
Nearing the shore was the last straw for the big croc. Feeling a cad and overwhelmed with remorse, he spilled the beans. The monkey was unfazed. It upbraided the croc for being foolish and not telling him that his wife wanted to eat his heart before they started on the voyage.
"I am sorry I had left my heart in my tree. Why not go back and get it?" he gamely asked. He added, "Mrs. Croc won't notice the delay." The straw had so befuddled the croc, he took the monkey's offer as gallant and swallowed it hook, line and sinker. The moment the monkey got off the croc's back and scampered to safety the croc knew what the straw had done to him -- it made him stupid. He paid the price for it by losing his friend and wife.
G.S. EDWIN
Jakarta