Tales and Stories

Chapter 23 - Tradition and Widows

“Kifkef, please tell me the story ends there." Gypsy Lou begged, squeezing her temples as her hangover began.

Kifkef shrugged, a little put out.

"I mean," She continued, " If I'd known the price of your hospitality included listening to your visions for a golden age then I'd have stayed in the bar."

Baba Gene redeemed the loss of face to his host by the courtesy with which he approached his coffee. Taking in its fragrance he first drank a large glass of water, so that he might not have to do so afterwards and thus wash away the taste of the coffee. Then he took the small glass between his thumb and first finger to demonstrate his desire to drink such quality coffee, however hot it might be.

“Excellent.” Kifkef cried. “May Allah always keep your rice sack full. It is heartening to see someone who knows the etiquette of the desert.”

“I learnt a few priciples in my time in Kashmir where I lived with many Sufi saints, who were as particular in their ways as any jungle sadhu.”

“But what is the point?” Gypsy Lou scowled.

“The point,” Gene replied, “Is that the only way thousands of years of tradition and culture can be preserved from being trampled underfoot by the vulgar multitudes, is by maintaining a code of entry to these worlds that only a few will have the patience and respect to learn.”

“Well,” she grinned, “The two of you are most welcome to hole yourselves up in your secret handshake clubs of mutual masturbation which, I need hardly add, no self-respecting woman would want to join.

I mean you talk about esoteric tradition and cultural secrets. But at the end of the day it’s just the little games that you boys have been playing since you first played who-can-piss-the-furthest.”

“Only outside the home.” Kifkef countered. “Inside you will find that there is no one more terrible and fearsome than the mother of your wife.”

“Exactly. Which is as far as your imagination stretches. For you a woman is a virgin, mother or whore.”

“Or cook.” Kifkef reasoned.

“You see. Now kindly bury your prejudices in the sand for a while, let's have a story about a woman.

The Story of the Widow