The foreigner looked like any typical tourist. He was evidently caucasian with his aquiline nose and tanned white skin. He sported a pinstriped pants and a colorful polo shirt. Somewhat muddied, his shoes resembled those worn by tennis players. His hair was slightly reddish with big curls all over his big head. Even for a caucasian, he was taller than their normal run. A camera hung by a strap from his neck.
Leisurely, he ambied by the narrow street of the rural town's commercial district. Peddlers offered him various farm produce and souvenirs for sale. He shook his head to everyone to signify disinterest.
A middle aged farmer stopped to stare at the tourist. In that barrio, a white-man was a rarity. So to see one was something of a spectacle. The farmer continued to gawk not knowing the foreigner would take offense.
Without warning, the tourist slapped the farmer with great force. As the tiller of the soil sprawled on the sidewalk, others crowded around out of curiosity. A bystander assisted the fallen man who now had traces of blood on his lips.
The farmer stood up and said in anguish more than anger, " What did you do that for? I did not do you any wrong. If at all, I was simply looking at you. Is that an offense where you come from?"
The foreigner braced himself just in case the crown ganged up (pagtulung-tulungan) on him. Then he shouted, " That was for Pearl Harbor!"
The farmer wiped the blood from his lips and replied calmly, "Look , there is a mistake. I am not a Japanese. Maybe I have a slit eyes. That is because I have a Chinese blood but I am a Filipino."
The caucasian answered with some belligerence " Chinese, Vietnamese, Burmese, Japanese....they're all the same to me."
"Who are you anyway?" asked the farmer.
I am Mr. Goldberg," replied the foreigner.
The farmer suddenly slapped the foreigner on the face. :" That is for the Titanic!"
:Hey I had nothing to do with the sinking of the Titanic," explained the foreigner somewhat disconcerted by the accusation and the assault." That was caused by an iceberg."
With a flourish the farmer declared, " Iceberg, Goldberg, Pittsburg... they are all the same to me.
No comments:
Post a Comment