Tuesday, November 1, 2022

East of Nakba (44)

 

(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

November, 2022

Part II. Ethnic cleanser

 

Chapter 44 At the party in Embassy (5)

 

While listening the Q & A, Helen was impressed by the man's way of speaking. He spoke falteringly but forcefully. What impressed her most of all was that his speech was never wavered. Usually, the men close her spoke only to entertain listeners. There were little contents in his speech. But she felt the strong confidence of the will in the man in front of her.

 

Helen was eager to inform her impression to him. She could hardly pull up herself and said;

 

"You're really polite and shy, but your faith is as hard as a rock. I should have called you 'Shy-Rock'!"

 

The atmosphere in the circle was frozen for a moment.


 

Helen immediately understood what her words impressed listeners. She covered her mouth with her hand. She threw the word 'Shy-Rock' to an Israeli and Jewish military officer. She had a enough common sense of what it meant. But she couldn't reverse what she said once. Helen turned pale and considered next phrase hastily.

 

At that time, the wife of the boss of her husband, who was in the center of the circle, looked at the man and Helen one after the other, and said;

 

"Well, that's a funny thing to say. He's a shy, yet rock fellow. 'Shy-Rock' is a funny name."

"I will call you Shy-Rock from now on."

 

The women in the circle looked blank. The boss's wife made a strange face. Everyone understood that she didn't know or notice that famous English play. At this point, it was their way of life to match her. They shouted in unison.

 

"Yes. Let's do it. Let's call him 'Shy-Rock' from now on."

 

The incident quickly spread throughout society in Washington. He was called "Shy-Rock" thereafter.

 

(cont’d)

 

 

Areha Kazuya

(From an ordinary citizen in the cloud)

 

To previous chapters: http://ocininitiative.maeda1.jp/OcinNovelEnglish.html

 

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