A translation from the Konknni of Lino B. Dourado's, Don Tonddanche Monis. People with two faces / mouths
Is there such a thing as a person with two mouths. Gods made (created) his creations with only one mouth and when they go back, do so with that same mouth. God, presumably created man in his own image. But today the colors of humanity have changed to such an extent, that not even God would knows to what extent mankind has changed form. However the life that God has give, which we call a soul --- incidentally cannot or ever will be altered. Truly, when this same soul stands before the gates of paradise, for ones existence to be examined -- with one mouth but two persona's -- even the one doing evaluation is confused And there happen to be more, many more two faced Goans. Just yesterday, in Saini Sanpura in northern India, about fifty kilometers from Delhi, a child with two faces was born to wedded couple, Sushma and Vinod Singh. Although Lali (the child's name) has one head, other than the ears has two mouths, two tongues, two noses, four lips, and four eyes. This is an odd creation. That this birth has occurred in the modern age on the one hand and on the other the people from that region being superstitious, are visiting her and invoking her blessing. For now, Lali's health is robust and she is drinking her mothers milk with both mouths. According to what God has planned, Lali will grow up and learn to speak. Since she has two mouths, which of those will speak first and how will the other mouth stay shut, or whatever it will to say; this is something we have to wait and see. One head means there must be one brain. Her thinking and behavior will be controlled by her brain. Since she was born with two mouth, while speaking, both the mouths would be employed (towards speech). Amijan, (we call our mother Maim (in Konknni) The Singh's say Amijan) give me water. But her other mouth will not say, Amijan give me something to eat. This is because, her being thirsts for water and not not for something to eat. Just because there are two mouths does not mean the child will speak with two mouths (will not contradict her core being). . We have only one -mouth. But that mouth, speaks not only in two, but in ten ways. It appears that perhaps some Goans were born with two mouths. The news of the morning, receives a new form and coloration by the time its evening. We can see this is akin, to what alcohol is to an alcoholic or a drunkard. When he is an alcohol stupor (high), he says one thing and upon coming down fro the high of the liquor which he consumed, will say that he did not say, absolutely did not say those things. Often when you are together with other people, they will speak good things about you to your face. But upon your going away from there having caused some alienation, behind your back that same person will attribute bad words to your person, render your name into a wipe-cloth and hang it among your friends. There are even more Goans with two mouths, who gather or those who come together at some place. And if you are not among them, bab-Eric will narrate your good deeds to everyone. True, is what the people have to say to bab-Eric; he never speaks ill of anyone. But its that same Eric, who when he happens to meets your best friend alone, narrates tales about you (your weaknesses) and in doing so creates ill will (subjects the friendship to a rot). This means, that you cannot judge a person in general but you can judge him individually. Yes, indeed we find yet many more Goans with two mouths. They will sing your praises, They announce your social works at this and this and that public place / marketplace or at the village junction in a raised voice. In times of need they will unfailingly climb the stairs of your house to ask for your help. But do they indeed, if you have a common cold, or are burning with fever visit you twice a day? After the mass on Sunday, they gather around you listen attentively to what you have to say. But when you receive an award from government of Goa as a visionary who works towards progress in the village, those same people, those individuals turn two-faced.They spread the word that you did not deserve the award, throughout the village with much noise (similar to a bras band without a conductor). And, (what more can one say)... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The original in Konknni is by Lino B. Dourado. Translated by venantius j pinto
