|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 20 February 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Magazine |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
English Literature made easy Madol Doova - by Martin Wickramasinghe Chapter I : The Robbers Chapter I opens with Upali, as a little boy of about seven years revealing the circumstances that pave the way for his mischievous behaviour. He hates to see his father bring a woman into the house, to replace his mother Father walked so close to her that their bodies almost touched - Upali, soon realises the distinct characteristics of his stepmother.
He becomes mischievous and the stepmother's complaints about him to his father, creates an unhealthy situation for Upali. Soon he begins to distinguish the difference between his own mother and stepmother, leading to Upali becoming more and more mischievous. This is a turning point in Upali's life. The gang of boys, with Upali as leader creates discord. Though many of their actions are playful, some of them are malicious. The Robbers is one such game, they play to start with. Getting into a helpless watcher's hut, when only an old woman is in it and tying her up, speaks badly of them. Men and women untie the helpless old woman. She begins to curse the little culprits, in spite of them being unaware that the act was low and mean. Chapter 2 : The Veddah game The spirit of youthful mischief comes vividly to life in the episode 'Veddah Game.' As usual the people of the village, have forgotten about the 'robbery', when the boys start the 'Veddah Game.' The boys having dressed up like veddahs are ready to obey the commands of their leader Upali, on whom the leadership is always bestowed. Maybe due to his family belonging to a higher class. The boys having selected the village well, as the central spot, start shooting with their bows and arrows. The village girls gather near the village well and start their usual gossip as they fill their pots. The episode reveals the typical scene at a village well - the gossiping centre - of women. Upali's arrow hits the leg of one of the girls and the boys' thrilling experience in attending to her wound make the news. This news sweeps through the village. The news is distorted that Upali with four other scamps had carried Lalitha off, having injured her leg. The false news spread like wildfire, as usual. The women folk put the blame on the injured girl. Lalitha is confined to the house. The punishment meted out by Upali's father, only makes him more stubborn. My love of adventure only increased. The ultimate decision of Upali's father, opens a new chapter in Upali's life. He is taken to a school in Welikanda, where Mr. Dharmasinghe, a friend of Upali's father is the headmaster. The usual ragging, typical but innocent and nicknaming Upali Gal Ibba, makes Upali remain silent for sometime. This second chapter, paves the way for the 'Town Child', to experience the natural and fascinating environment of a typical village and the behaviour pattern of village folk in the Southern Sri Lanka. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
She is very different to his own mother. She doesn't care for me in the
same way. - The difference affects Upali to such an extent that he doesn't
like even going to school. 
