The anglers sat on the edge of the dock, toes dangling in the water of the bayou. A sign on the shore read ‘Pondering Point – Where fresh water meets salt water and makes for brackish water.’
“The fundamental problem” asserted the older of the two fishermen, “is that each of us is unknowable. Unique and subject to forces we can’t even begin to understand or fathom.”
The younger fisherman responded after a sip of his brew. “The satisfaction is in the quest for understanding, I believe. And to always be aware that the more one knows, the less one knows, thus each day is an opportunity for learning new things. And then one has the opportunity to cross-reference one’s learning, and then to discover new pathways to further knowledge. Doors close on ignorance, while doors open to further learning.”
“When you consider the big picture of man,” the older angler pondered, “one is confronted with endless irony and absurdity to confuse one’s probings for insight. For example, on the one hand a man , with help of course from others, was able to create the miraculous splendor of the Sistine Chapel. Then to contrast that, visit any craft fair in any town and behold the arts and crafts on display. All creations of members of the same species. And all involved made sacrifices of some kind in the pursuit of their creations.”
The younger angler laughed and said, “There really is no understanding the mind of man. Think about the sheer absurdity of how folks responded to the recent pandemic. Widespread panic and hoarding of cheetos and toilet paper! If you were to tell me that the world’s a madhouse I would have to agree, just on the toilet paper issue. To assert that man is more than primitive and animalistic seems a stretch at times, but then you listen to Bach’s ‘Brandenberg Concertos’, contrasted with ‘Yummy Yummy Yummy I Got Love In My Tummy’, and you have to recognize that there are mysterious aspects to it all.”
“I can’t believe you’ve heard the 1910 Fruitgum Company’s most excellent song, the elder fisherman chuckled. Now I’ll be hearing it in my head all day. Bach had a dozen children at least. Lots of love in his wife’s tummy! My Palestinian tobacconist revealed that he knew of and liked that tune. I was shocked and surprised, then we both sang the chorus, then proceeded to debate the issues surrounding the ‘Palestinian Problem’. He asserted that there was no way for his people to live with the Jews, given their audacious conduct in the Nakba, and all the water under the bridge since then. Last we spoke he expressed hope that the cease-fire would hold. To keep the peace I held silent as to what my own thoughts are on the matter.”
“It’s a no-win situation in my view,” the other stated. “When the bullet hits the bone in human affairs the stronger tends to prevail. And there’s no disputing that the Jews are smart and strong, whereas the Palestinians repeatedly display weakness and lack of good sense. The latest pictures of them streaming back to their destroyed neighborhoods reminded me of lemmings filing oblivious toward a cliff edge- a doomed procession for sure. There must not be concepts of cooperation and tolerance when it comes to their cultural make-up. All I know is I’m glad I’m not Israeli or Palestinian these days. It’s a tough road ahead for them.”
The older fisherman looked off into the distance and said, “The story of man is that of a revolving narrative. A never-ending passion play. A serpent intent on swallowing it’s own tail. While a circus clown weaves drama and entertainment for the benefit of his captive audience. In my view, the invention of television has done more damage than the invention of gunpowder. At least gunpowder contributes to an increase in elbow room for the rest of us. Television ensures the rotting of minds and will to grow. And that’s to be added to the horrors of microprocessors and computers. We’re left with all the pagans and mystics doing backflips in the streets while tossing rolls of toilet paper to the adoring and mesmerized audience.”
The young angler laughed and said, “You sound cynical, my friend. What I’ve discovered is that when two hearts dance together, cynicism fades and laughter and good cheer abounds!”
CP Butchvarov 2025