The Optimist-2

“I am glad to have you around, but when you do come next time, may your presence be less tumultuous as this. See, you've made the mad man chasing the plastic bag swinging in the air, and look there he is chasing the paper.” Nahou responded

The "mad man" had let loose over that piece of paper. He must find it to wrap the food he wants to eat. He ran past the cars, the motorbikes, the bicycles and the prams. He ran passed everyone in a hurry and since he was in a strange flurry everyone let him go pass. All eyes were on his craziness. He was the craze of the town whom they called “Ni Nong.” His clothes shattered; everyone could see patches of his bare skin. His bottom was sticking out of the holes of the “opaga” (big leg) pants he wore. Thank God the front was all tacked keeping his genitals intact. For a brief, everyone stared at him; some laughed, some took pity on him, the kids just like “ni nong” were happy, they giggled and some made mockery. Others wondered why someone else did not find a pair of clean pants for “ni nong.” “Why did he not wear clean pants, ever?” Nahou wondered.

“It is the filth in him that attracts; it is his unusualness, the abnormality that has made normality come to a halt for a few seconds, and all because of Ninong’s insanity. It is in this insanity that he finds liberation. It is in this off sense state that he is able to cause the sane to be afraid of his presence and to doubt his actions. Although everyone else is considered sane, they are acting just like mad men-careless, carefree-they ask rational questions like why doesn't he wear clean pants? Why isn't he shy of his nakedness, his bareness? They ask all these questions, but like Ninong, they cannot be bothered about his insanity just like he cannot be stopped by their sanity. This madness seems to be in everyone, but some people have tamed theirs, others have just let loose; others hide their madness behind veils, and their contemporary obsessions. Humanity will only be mad-free when everyone learns how to sufficiently care.” The Optimist’s explanation was obscure, but the bit that made sense most to Nahou was humanity’s sanity can only be attained if everyone is everyone's keeper.

“Now, I understand that since no one sufficiently cares, chaos and madness will perpetually reign.” Nahou explained further to ensure that he was on the same reasoning page as The Optimist.

“Yes Nahou, you are right! Let me elaborate on what I mean. If everyone is chasing rubies and cowries to become better, people get mad doing so. They make sacrifices multitasking to the detriment of their systems. They are unable to live in the moment their entire adult life. Some people spend sleepless nights, some work all nights, some all day, some exhaust their systems, chasing rubies and cowries. In the pursuit of rubies and cowries to make ends meet, and attain their set goals, the very essence that makes you all human escape your consciousness. I shall give an instance on this later on. For now, be concerned with pursuing what gives you happiness and whilst at it, you earn some rubies and cowries. For the worst thing to do is to find yourself trapped in a madness that stops you from running around like Ninong, mindless of onlookers.” 

Come back for more of "The Optimist" tomorrow.

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