Does your job define you?

Find the answer in "The Man who turned into a dog":

by Aditha Dissanayake

Three Sundays ago, I held my breath and almost choked to death when I happened to sit besides a gentleman who was reading page 21 of the Sunday Observer, on a one-five-four bus to Kiribathgoda.

When he came to the end of the article, and before he could turn to the next page I had the courage to ask him if he liked the story. He looked surprised, after all I was a total stranger and had no right to disturb him, but said "Mmmm not bad. Would you like to read it" and offered the paper to me.

No thank you" I said "I have already read it". "Oh" he raised his eyes brows skywards and turned the page. I did not speak with him again till we reached Kiribathgoda. I did not tell him I wrote that story. In stead I chastised myself for having asked that question.

Even on a Sunday - my off-day I was still thinking of my work. Have I reached the point when my job could not be separated from me as an individual? Is this the same for teachers, policemen, solders, executives? Once you become a teacher, will you always be a teacher whether it is Sunday or Monday or Friday.

If you really wish to know the answer you could perhaps find it in Osvaldo Dragun's short play "The Man who turned into a Dog" now directed by Dr. Heinrich Falk at the Punchi Theatre.

Through the absurd story in which a man applies for the job of a watch dog and literally turns into one, Dragun and now, Dr. Falk shows how most people's jobs gradually become intermingled with their lives so that their professions define them.

Though you may laugh as you watch a man giving himself up as a human being in order to turn into a watch dog if you take the time to think about it a bit more, you will realize this is what happens to most of us perhaps in a less noticeable way.

Dr. Falk, of the California State University Northridge will also present The Story of Panchito Gonzales also by Dragun, which like his other stories spreads a message through abstract images and words.

The other play presented at the Punchi Theatre today is by Namel Weeramuni who directs Joseph Bolonga and Renee Taylor' s "Bill, Betty, Barry".

If you missed the plays yesterday, make sure to be there today at the Punchi Theater at 6.30 pm for three short and therefore sweet, bite-sized dramatic treats.

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