hidden image

Bob’s Banter by Robert Clements Go Back Waves, Go Back..!

Robert Clements Robert Clements
07 Jun 2021

And as the second wave that mercilessly killed thousands in the country, exhausted the logs of wood in crematoriums, had bodies lying in queue, like they’d never done when alive, muzzled oxygen supply so that men and women could not avail the most basic requirement to live; to breathe, floated bloated bodies on sacred rivers, forcing policemen and soldiers to cover them up in the dead of night so that the press would not get wind of telltale stench, made mockery of vaccine supply so that the highest court of the land had to intercede to balance an equality that had disappeared, and as that second wave after being allowed by default to create such disaster now recedes, politicians rise from the wormwood, where they’d lain hidden from the wrath of their people, and proclaim, “We controlled the second wave!”
“He pushed the wave back!”
The exhausted people of the country, those still alive, wearily hear their boisterous proclamations of victory, till one among them, pushes back the pages of history, and says, “Read!”
The pages turn, and fit story confronts the proclaimers: The story of King Canute!
Long, long ago, England was ruled by King Canute. Like many leaders and men of power, Canute was surrounded by people, always praising him. Every time he walked into a room the flattery began.
One day while walking by the seashore, his officers and courtiers with him, praising him as usual, Canute decided to teach them a lesson. “Bring me my chair and put it right at the water’s edge.” He sat down and surveyed the ocean before him. He noticed the tide was coming in, “Waves,” cried Canute, “I command you to come no further!” 
He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped at his feet. “How dare you!” Canute shouted. “Go back!”
And in answer another wave swept forward and curled around the king’s feet. The tide came in, just as it always did. The water rose higher and higher. It came up around the king’s chair, and wet not only his feet, but also his robe. His officers stood about him, alarmed, and wondering whether he was mad. 
“Well, my friends,” Canute said, “it seems I do not have quite so much power as you would have me believe. Perhaps you have learned something today. Perhaps now you will remember there is only God who is all-powerful, and it is he who rules the sea, and holds the waves in the hollow of his hand. I suggest you reserve your praises for him.”
It was a cruel second wave that killed thousands mercilessly in our country, shouldn’t we like Canute, realize it was no politician who rescued us, or do we need a third wave to hammer the truth into us?

bobsbanter@gmail.com

Recent Posts

The current delimitation hullaballoo provides insight into democracy's struggle to balance representation and power. Rising tensions between the North and the South are not without reason. Given the B
apicture Aakash
10 Mar 2025
Emperor Aurangzeb was 88 years old and had ruled the country for 49 years when he died in 1707. Unlike any other leader, he had much to boast about. He ruled over a population of 150 million people. H
apicture A. J. Philip
10 Mar 2025
AI has revolutionised industries, but it mirrors the societal biases of those who created it. This is visible in the gender disparities exhibited by AI tools. From recruitment discrimination to skewed
apicture Jaswant Kaur
10 Mar 2025
India has undergone a radical political shift from its initial outlook. The increasing marginalisation of minorities, the rise of Hindutva majoritarianism, weaponisation of laws, and hate speech neces
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
10 Mar 2025
As the bulldozers continue to go on a rampage, demolishing and destroying the lives and homes of the vulnerable, it is time that the fascist and dictatorial rulers of the world realise that "this land
apicture Cedric Prakash
10 Mar 2025
Smartphone use in schools has become a global challenge. The detail lies in balancing education and well-being. While bans tackle classroom distractions and cyberbullying, some claim it hinders digita
apicture Anantha Padmanabhan
10 Mar 2025
Arunachal faces a dark turning point as the 1978 Freedom of Religion Act is revived. Peaceful coexistence is at stake as the BJP creates another Manipur-like situation. Have no lessons been learned?
apicture Chhotebhai
10 Mar 2025
A glance through Kerala's archive of traditional art forms reveals that folk songs originated from the philosophies of forefathers. With no language barriers to restrict them from communicating with e
apicture Pachu Menon
10 Mar 2025
Tamil Nadu's resistance to Hindi imposition has revealed the federation's insensitivity to diversity. The Centre's insistence on the three-language formula is a joke, given the declining multilinguali
apicture G Ramachandram
10 Mar 2025
As they say, actions speak louder than words—or, in this case, louder than tweets. So, Mr. Prime Minister, while the country appreciates the gesture, how about some solid policies, airtight laws, and
apicture Robert Clements
10 Mar 2025