Opinion
Omens
A few weeks back, there were interesting letters on evil eyes. In the olden days, people believed in omens, forewarning of what is to come. I remember, my mother, seeing a crow perched on a dead branch, and facing my home, said we will hear of a death and sure enough there was a death of a distant relative. Then another, when the hearth makes a noise – Lipa Buranawa- sure there will be an unexpected visitor for lunch. Gecko – HOONA is another harbinger of news – Hoonu Sasthare.
Here is one of my experiences. I was sitting the Senior School Certificate examination from my school St. Mary’s College, Nawalapitiya, in 1942. My class had only six students and after the withdrawal test, only two were selected and I was one. The examination centre was in Kandy, a distance of nearly 25 miles. My father was not happy to send me from home as I would be tired after taking either the train or bus, and, therefore, he decided to take me to Peradeniya, where a relative was living, and travel from there to the examination centre, which was the Government Tamil School at Suduhumpola. About a week before the examination, Hendirick, a person who had done odd jobs, as a boy, for our family, and whom my father had helped to gain employment in the Telegraph Department, came home with presents for us as a gesture of gratitude. He had now been about 15 years in service and had been promoted as a supervisor. When my father told him of my examination and that I had to go to Kandy, Hendrick promptly said that I could stay with him and that the examination hall was only a walking distance from his house.
He said that he was married and had a child of about three years and that his father-in- law lives with them. He requested my father to visit his place and decide. Not wanting to displease Hendirik, my father went to his place, and was warmly received by his wife. The house had two rooms with a garden and my father was impressed as the examination centre was close by, and decided to take me there. I was taken there the previous morning. It was Sunday. Hendrick had prepared the room, occupied by his father-in-law, for me. That evening, his wife suggested that we worship at the Dalada Maligawa and receive the blessings for me to be successful at the examination. That done, we came back, had dinner, and went through some old question papers and slept soundly. The following day, after breakfast, as I was getting ready to go with Hendrick,who was also going to his workplace, his wife called me and asked me to worship at the shrine, placing a tray of flowers and lighting a pahana or lamp.
When I stepped out with Hendrick, a rooster, fluttered its wings and crowed ‘Cock-a-doodle do’. The old father-in-law, with a broad toothless smile said – Podi Mahaththaya, Jayasikurui, Bayawenna epa’- (Do not fear, victory is assured). I must admit, that gave me some sort of confidence and courage. The first paper was mathematics, which I was not good at. However, when I browsed the question paper, I knew I could score high marks. After the examination, I stayed with Hendirick and his family for about 10 days and was sad to leave them.
Those days, the results of the examination were published in the newspapers and we, who had sat the exam, waited eagerly for the evening Times newspaper. That day, when we were waiting at Salgado Bakery, my father came and told me to organise a treat for all my friends, and requested the hotel owner, to send the bill to him. I was puzzled and so were my friends, although this unusual gesture could be good news. At last, the van bringing the Times newspaper arrived and we rushed to the Carvalio shop. I had passed the examination, while my classmate had been referred in one subject. All that over, I went home, to see all in cheers. My father had received a telegram from R. E. Jayatilaka, then a Member of State Council, congratulating me. That is how he had got the information early.
G. A. D. SIRIMAL
Boralesgamuwa