The wonder of Asterix

Asterix is a fascinating character and an even more interesting book, don't you think? When I was small I used to fancy living in a tiny village with brave people who lead interesting lives. Oh okay, fine, so I liked the idea of a druid too, so what?

It's not a crime, is it? The very idea of putting together a few herbs and such to make a bubbling frothy concoction is intriguing. I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to do that? If I make something like that wouldn't you want to stick around to see what it would do? Give some of the potion to an unsuspecting neighbour perhaps?

I tell you, those Gauls have it going there. They have it all. And yes, given a choice I might want to live there.

For one thing I like the village. With its green grass and pretty flowers and little stone houses and cozy wooden sheds it has got to be the dream village. Then there are the wooden gates and chimneys lazily smoking away. Very eco friendly, one might say. It's always very clean. Not a bit of rubbish in sight. All green grass and lovely little houses roofed with blond straw.

These people are spirited. No pun on the infamous magic potion intended, but that is not entirely ousted either. They love a good fight. Although in lists of some people that may not be seen very favourably, I see it as being ready to fight for something you believe in.

Isn't that great? Even if it's something pretty trivial, say a group of Roman soldiers wondering in the forest who don't really want to fight you? Oh maybe even shipful of pirates whose only hope is to avoid you? You are on buddy. And they all fight together.

Even if they are fighting themselves they do it in one pack with everyone's arms and legs flailing about. They may have done this to make it easier on the cartoonist, however, I still think it's very sweet.

And they are pretty unique. First there are the clothes. Then there are the handlebar moustaches and not to mention their funny tin hats with the wings on them. Almost Viking like, but not quite. They are far too original for that I suppose.

And how can I forget the endearing fear of the sky falling down? If that is the only fear they have, then they actually don't have much to fear, have they? I also like the fact that their names end with 'x'. Even Obelix's dog is Dogmatix. It sort of shows some kind of unity among the members of the village, a special bond like.

And then there is the unforgettable Cacofonix. Now I greatly admire the attitude of the villagers to this fellow. Then don't flatter him commenting on how good he is even though they don't like him. They don't pretend to admire his talents.

In turn they don't have to suffer his music either. Straight and direct they ask him to keep quiet. Just like that. I like that. And now, isn't that admirable? There aren't any oh, you-have-a-really-nice-voice or any you-must-sing-at-my-weddings.

Think of the guts to stand up for what you believe in. You believe that his music is really the pits and zing zang whoops you've tied him up. Cacofonix is never treated well anywhere near the end of any of the tales. I like that. You don't like his music? Well, tie him up! All taken care of, neat and tidy.

And here they are, all surrounded by spear carrying Romans just waiting to capture this little village and look at what they are good at! Partying! The Gauls are almost always eating around a little table (when they are not fighting, that is).

They eat to their hearts' content, not dainty little mouthfuls. They like a good party with wild boar on something little... like maybe a biscuit. They don't quite prefer the British way of things either. No boiled boar in mint sauce for them. They like it whole.

Oh, and forget the milk, in the absence of the infamous magic potion, tea would do. Well, that should work well for us Sri Lankans too, don't you think?

by Dilini Algama