Being and Nothingness- A true Tale of Travesty

[Sophist]

Being and Nothingness- A True tale of Travesty: what an Irony

 

To love is to get romantically involved with your soul- meaning being indulged intensely with the purity of your life. In this tale we have a young man who without his lover becomes nothing. All life ceases to exist. His being depends upon another and reality becomes mirrored with dreams that are product of his love. To feel her presence assures his being but to be away he finds himself in oblivion.--- AND THEY SAY ROMANTIC SOMALI MEN NEVER LIVED.

 

There is another character that is direct opposite to the main character- Fahiye. The narrator firstly introduces himself as the second character but later the dialogue changes and the burlesque changes to three main ones: you shall see it as the story develops.

 

------------------------------

 

For the last four weeks I have started jogging- an activity that bores me to death but the after effect is immeasurably amenable; thus I endure the exertion. But this particular night for it has been painfully cold I thought instead of jogging why not take a bike; so I have borrowed my roommate’s tandem. After two minutes with excruciatingly sore falls I came upon my favourite park, which I normally exercise at every Sunday and Monday nights. As I was cycling I saw a figure that looked Somali (this part of London the parks are poorly lit- and yes I can identify a Somali from miles away; obviously the teenagers who walk limply are excluded here for I mistake them for Jamaicans) so as perfect Somali chap I waved but the young man waved back with difficulty. Carried on about 20 minutes when I decided that I am not good at this cycling business and thought perhaps it is time to head back to my flat to read that conscientiously intricate written book Ulysses (this book goes out its way to scare its potential readers with plots that anyone at first finds complicated and sprawling to say the least never the less the book is a stimulating read) by James Joyce -the best ever writer Ireland had ever produced.

 

After while, I came across the same guy sitting at the ground with his head buried under his woeful arms. A sense of compassion came across me and felt I was obliged to inquire whether I could be any assistance. Got off the bike and sat next to him and all over the sudden the young man was reduced to tears. He sobbed like a young teenager who had just lost his valuable friend (fat chance of this happening to a Somali guy some may say). I offered to help him ease his pain. But still his identity was unknown to me. He recollected himself and his head surfaced and to my thorough flummox this was not other than a young man who I have the pleasure knowing. He is level headed, spirited, charming and to some conceitedly haughty- the last tenet should be a great deterrent for him to be seen in such compromising situation. We all have soft spots but some are clever enough to hide it deeply---- though it takes another bright person to unveil such a secret. Here was a man of his mid twenties, educated, well mannered and exceedingly respected amongst his peers crying his lungs out for something some of us will find it trivial. But triviality is a subjective issue -at least when it comes to carrying; what is worth carrying over. Anyhow, let me not derail from my objective. I said what happened to you Fahiye? Is your family okay? My family is not Okay he replied. Uum I am sorry I blurted carrying- on All shall perish from the face of earth;" Kulu Nafsin Daa Iqatul Mawt"; be strong and may Allah reward you for your strength.

You know it is said that to accept lost is to appreciate fate! I continued. To accept lost is to feel failure he retorted. Then it dawned on me. This man is not talking about losing his Family with the capital F but perhaps his other half.

 

Tell me I said; what has brought you in this gloomy park? I came here to flee from the painful reality of life. I have been living the past 16 months in a cosmos dominated by starry heavens with dazzling varied colours. Every night sleeping under a colour which perfectly suited my mood. And tonight here I am sitting under ominously coloured one. The beauty of his words and profound meaning it carries overwhelmed me greatly to the extent that I haplessly tried to find words to express my astonishment. Soundlessly I mouthed Wow! I decided to speak to him in this coded language for his sorrowful soul had transformed to a poetic don. Did you live this “cosmos” alone or you have a companion who you had shared the enjoyable scenery that you have marvellously described? This was a question I sheepishly asked for I had a grand suspicion he was not alone. By God you are not listening he carried! He reflected for a moment. His life came as flash before him. Unlike you Nalaye my ultimate ambition was to feel the greatest feeling any man can experience in this life carried Fahiye. Surprised with such statement but not wholly fathomed meaning he retorted; What do you mean, all men want to be happy. I worked hard in my life to be where I am. Nalaye boasted about his financial independence and strong character that Nietzsche would applause but was curious to hear the deep-seated meaning that lied behind Fahiye’s pronounced remark so he cleverly thought to extract the answer. Tell me what is the greatest feeling in life for you said Nalaye. To feel is great but to BE is the most wonderful conscious state Man can ever attain was the reply that came through the over-dried lips of Fahiye. Being read Philosopher part of his studies Nalaye could appreciate the beauty of Fahiye’s retort but was left puzzlement. Fahiye was insentient with the bewilderment of his fellow and continued; in life we become the freight of our lives merely acting to the stipulated needs but to set free of these mechanised is the attainment of real glee; happiness becomes just another word not something to seek. That moment Nalaye tried to decipher the allusion which Fahiye had given him but to no avail. Are you saying that the real life is something that we are all prisoners of enquired Nalaye! What is real? Was the question that came from Fahiye. You know real stuff like us sitting here, you upset about something; UPSET is not what to describe myself. Is it I; or you my friend had become paltry in your linguistic ability rejoined Fahiye. Pardon me for I am not as poetic as you my friend. But you do understand what I mean to say without you being pedantic!. Precision had never been one of my strong points but I will try to be from now on; but my friend do tell me what exactly is bothering you?

 

Life is avoidance of greater thhings; to appreciate this premise one needs to stand back from reality and reflect from afar. To care free from the world is to taste the sweetness that life brings. To feel is great but to BE is the true attainment of happiness. In this big wide world man sees himself imperfect (1) insufficient this leads to work extremely hard to the point that man feels tired, aged and most of all inept in his appreciation of life. Nalaye was surprised to hear all the brooding thoughts that is being shared; the only words he could manage was “continue”. Fahiye was in deep exercise review of his mind and suddenly asked Nalaye tell me what is your ambition? Nalaye took about a minute to respond but Fahiye this seemed hours at last he said promise me not to laugh; Fahiye nodded agreeing. My ultimate ambition is to make millions by the time I am thirty and then run for Parliamentary seat for the Labour party; not quite farfetched is it? And also it is not far-removed from your ambition. Nalaye knew Fahiye to be an ambitious man who was striving to be similar to attain similar goals like him. What seemed a smile came to his face he said unlike you my ultimate ambition was and still remains to be breaking of the Newtonian inertia, which all of us are trapped in. That is what drives me. Nalaye was confused with this statement. He felt either this chap is out of fuel (mad) or language had altered vastly that he is left behind. Elucidate cried Nalaye. To explicate is reduce the meaning of what I have said but allow me to make is more comprehendible. I will tell you an story about Capitalism.

 

Couple years ago when globalisation was the habitual mantra that oozed in every social theorist mouth a man who the capitalist call entrepreneur but I call merchant went to a village located in the far end of Africa. In this village there lived a man who had a little old boat who he inherited from his father. This man wakes up early in the morning and goes fishing. He finished his days work around noon catches all needs for the day. the rest of the day is spent with family and friends. In the evening he goes to the local tree where all the traditional stories are told and men exchange veneration remarks that links this community in a close nit. That is how he had been living. The merchant with his capitalistic view of economics which only considers profit over everything else goes to the man. After traditional greetings.......

 

-----------

 

(1

(1) Man here is meant Human beings general. In Modern times males feel inadequate because conditions imposed upon his life had made him limitedly insufficient in his conscious in every aspect of modern life- apart from washing the cars (if the family is wealthy enough to have to carS) and this creates untold unhappiness in Man’s psyche- this will have enormous ills that are off-shoots of his thinking. What Fahiye is saying ultimately to feel inequate means to live life in limited way. The only way man (human being) can be truly free to attain the glee Fahiye is talking about.

 

OUT OF TIME, later my fellow readers.

 

Thus spake Nomad Sophist

[Sophist]

Halkaan ayaan ka sii wadi:

-----------

 

After traditional greetings, the merchant was invited to have tea. During the tea drinking session, he started asking questions about the daily happenings of this traditional fisher. The fisherman told him his usual daily schedule concluding it with a happy smile; the merchant too joined him with smile that showed his glistening teeth but continued to say in the arrogant way that is habitual to the most faithful capitalists; I tell you more efficient way to feed your family. The old man ears popped out with prospect that he will have more fish without spending more time at sea. Do tell my honourable guest said he.

 

Okay here is the deal; I will lend you some money so you can buy bigger boat with modern utilities so it will enable you to get more fish in your basket. Also you can work a bit harder. Why asked the old man. Oh if you but more hours into it then you will have a surplus that you can sell and the money will be good for investment. You can buy shares in Blue Chip companies. The old man was knocked for six, he was wondering why does he need to do all this; so he asked why do I need to go through all this trouble. When you retire you can spend more time with your family said the merchant. Wow said the old man. But can’t you see I am doing that already; I mean I am spending time with my family and friends without going all these trouble!.

 

The exaggerated happiness that this story depicts, the passionate gesture that accompanied it, the mad melodramatic words made Nalaye severely mystified; surely this merchant guy’s story made sense economic-wise reasoned quietly to him-self. He thought this man has subterranean troubles that begs a professional help is required not his amateur skills in listening. Fahiye noticed the uneasiness of his friend but couldn’t understand for he made the story very simple, consequently he carried-on. You see ill-natured and peevish people can never see the true picture of life. And to have a glimpse of it and then a moving clouds clothed is the most laborious experience any patient person can go through. You see from Seven pm this evening, I had been tormented by a singular feeling of despondency. All of a sudden, I had started to feel that everyone was abandoning me, steering clear of me, solitary fellow I had become. Of course you may well ask who is this “every one”,. Uuh, a good question that is cried Nalaye. Yes, but everyone means anyone whom I am intricately close to answered Fahiye. And by that there are many. As fine young man you must have numerous individuals that are profoundly fond of you said Nalaye with his chin up in the air like a soldier who was just been given a medal of honour for some act of bravery he had shown in front line. Uuh but to be fond of is a flattering sentiment; but to have an affection some particular person is another ball game. It is climbing a mountain as a first timer without the right supervision. Have you ever done mountain climbing? Timorously Nalaye answered no and continued, you see you are being clever here, I sat down with you here this evening to listen and perhaps offer advice but you have made me doubt about my life style. A life style I have worked hard for. To doubt is to start thinking and to think is the starting point of being free answered Fahiye with surprise affect. Nalaye started to speak with quavery tone and decided that it was right time to leave the park. It is cold, we shall make a move; would you like to come and have a tea so we can finish our fascinating conversation said Nalaye. Uuh that elusive word; to be fascinated is to appreciate the object of fascination my friend said Fahiye.

 

Suddenly he stood up with frightening expression on his face but was pinned in thought. Today has been a dreary and cold-sodden day, without a ray of hope, like my approaching empty days. Such outlandish ideas coerce me, such dark sensations, such vague prospects seething my weary brain- and for some strange reason I have no strength or desire to resolve them. It is beyond me to make a sense of it all. All I can seem to do is weep over my woe, anguish and despair had become my companions. Abruptly, Fahiye started walking with haste, quickening his base He said to Nalaye, Fair well my friend, thanks for listening. Nalaye, was absent-minded for the last minute or so, suddenly he was awakened from his deep pondering from a dog barking far end of the park. After the realisation that Fahiye had long left him, he decided not to pursue this un-merry situation.

 

Fahiye vanished into the wilderness singing about his cheery memories; memories he feared will just remain to be so. His joyous imposition came to halt. Roses of the spring, my tears shall never continue to deplore; I shall let them out like the forceful flood that overtakes a feeble canal cried Fahiye. I shall conquer or perish…..

 

Going to bed was the hardest thing a man engulfed with oodles of emotional thoughts can endure. His encounter with the strange but eccentrically sweet man was ever vivid in his memory; recalling every singular word uttered by his debonair friend. A man who saw the light momentarily but found himself in twilight; not wholly dark and not complete luminosity. He needs to be saved for the sake of sanctity of love; but what vice had caused his forlorn? Asked Nalaye him-self............

 

--------

 

I shall come back to it later.

 

Thus Spake Nomad Sophist

 

Sophist

[Grad Student]

very interesting read. A Professor once told his philosophy class that there are no new questions. Happiness and Nature of man??? well, continue bro...

[Baashi]

Two points:

 

1. Narrator changed from first person to third; for instance, narrator was Nalaye (u and hence "I") and story was told from his point of view...and suddenly it changed as if third person was narrating the conversation of Nalaye and Fahiye...consistency is needed there.

 

2. A century and half ago English standard prose was ornate and diffuse but it changed to simplicity and compactedness...do the same thing.

 

Please continue and take my comments as positive criticism.

[Loyan]

Sophist ...Are you trying to portray socialists as greedy, ambitious, and wealthy? This is unconventional. try to make your writing more conventional btw.

 

Continue please

[Hanna]

Hmm Interesting

now please continue

[NinBrown]

Sophist this is a great story,as hanna said please continue....

[Khayr]

"Life is avoidance of greater thhings; to appreciate this premise one needs to stand back from reality and reflect from afar. To care free from the world is to taste the sweetness that life brings. To feel is great but to BE is the true attainment of happiness.

 

Is the avoidance of a physical nature? A physical seperation?

What do you mean by to BE?

What do you want to BE?

Your story is a bit difficult to follow because its not Linear and acute!

oh by they why, What does Sophist mean?

[Sophist]

Look up guys! second msg.

[Jamster]

Dear Sophist,

 

Verily moments are a "bizzare" phenomenon, which seems always to be, as opposed to not being. And with these moments life meanders and exhibts interesting things; the evening sunsets, everyday it happens to be differents yet nonetheless never losing an iota of its beauty. The monarch butterfly expanding it`s wings on the crisp morning air, the waterfalls from which the water keeps falling. And on a more sorrowful note; the wars, famines, earthquakes all in the spectrum of time display a sense of transcendent wisdom which becomes incapable of comprehension at the moment of occurence. But the event which makes even the Greek Tragdies seem like plays, would have to be a Somali romantic! life has become so polarised for the poor thing that he will cease to be without his beloved. the situation has become so dire that he has to adopt the sayings of a broken and confused man like Satre. perhaps there is a fine line between being and nothingness. But woe! ! unto the friends of such a fellow, that claim to be friends, yet unaware that the friend is sojurneing in solitude through profound existential issues.

 

alas friend i have so much to say but this moment has passed me by. i will abruptly finish here perahps i will continue another time.

[Sophist]

Salamu Alaikum,

 

Salamu Alaikum to you all.

 

Baashi,

 

Thanks for the emaciated scrutiny; I do appreciate it. I have intentionally changed the characters; as you will learn later I don’t write like conventional contemporary wrters. My writing is influenced by the likes of Nietzsche, James Joyce and also Kahlil Gibran. If you have haven’t read those chaps then you will find my writing quite archaic.

 

The language changes because the characters are two different people with varying educational background; consequently the dialogue with is different- one will be poetic and Edwardian age the other more hip and contemporary.

 

Loyan

 

No I am not

 

Kheyr

 

Life without celestial influence is avoidance of greater things and at short will; heart-rending end will come to it.

 

To be meaning to really feel you Being is not like living. Being is to feel the essence of your soul. The story is not written o be easy, it is a reflection of deep and profound things that goes on the Human psyche. Anything that is dealing with human-beings is difficult and laborious.

 

Sophist is an adjective. In the ancient Greece there lived men with great oratorical ability, with their tongues they changed the ideas of men they encountered. These men mainly were not interested in truth but were quite fond of winning arguments- the method they employed was sophistry and they were called Sophists.

 

Farah

 

Waryaa duqa, what can I say! To be and Not to be that is puzzle!.

 

Thus Spake the Old Nomad

[Sophist]

What a clifhanger

[Jamster]

bollocks-- am I allowed to say such a thing? ooh well perhaps not next time.

[Sophist]

Funny I would say something like that huh

[Dhagax-Tuur]

Assl All. Wr Wb

 

and yes I can identify a Somali from miles away;

Any chance he was wearing one those baggy trousers?