DR. P. MACHWE

A fish from Ganges...

A fish from Jamuna…

Both were friends

Lived together, went beyond the holy confluence.

Once so happened

That jealousy grew in both:

–Who is more beautiful? I or you?

So the day was up

And on the sands they saw a tortoise

Basking in winter-sun.

Fish came closer

Bowed and asked

Tell the truth, O Holy man,

Whose claim to beauty is more tenable?

Aged, learned, Baba Tortoise

Nodded, watched the fish

With steadfast vision, he said–

O fish of Ganges, you are beautiful

O fish of Jamuna, you are also beautiful

Both are claiming rightly…

Shouted the fish–So we fought

Unnecessarily so long

Why don’t you give your frank opinion?

‘Shall I tell the truth?–

O fish of Ganges, you are beautiful

O fish of Jamuna, you are also beautiful

But, more beautiful than both of you

Is myself

Look at my crystal-neck

My back like the spotted shade of banyan tree

These tiny eyes like beads

Such beauty you couldn’t have seen

Come, come closer

Don’t be nervous

Both the fish ran away, disappeared

In the deep waters of the holy confluence

The sermon of the Sage

Remains incomplete.