Last Monday, by a happy coincidence, I found another book by one of my all time favorite writers, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “News of a Kidnapping”. On Sunday I had seen a copy of his other book,“Living to Tell the Tale” at Jai’s house, and Jai told me there was another copy at ‘Al Classic’ second hand bookstore near Sangeet Theatre.
On Monday I hurried to the store and saw Jai there again for the second time in less than twenty four hours. He showed me the rack where he had seen the book but instead I found “News of a Kidnapping” which I got for fifty rupees. I searched all over for 'Living to Tell the Tale' but in vain.
'News...' was a hardcover Borzoi edition published by Alfred A Knopf. It had no dust jacket yet was in good condition. Borzoi books seem to be printed on a different type of paper which is rough on the outer edges. I had purchased Haruki Murakami’s book ‘Blind Willow…’ in the same imprint. I felt glad I found this book and I am grateful to Jai for leading me to it.
I have started reading the book, unable to resist. It is about the kidnapping of journalists and others by Pablo Escobar, the notorious drug dealer of Columbia. The journalists are kidnapped to pressurize the Colombian government to modify a new law and prevent the drug dealers from being extradited to the USA. It is an engrossing account of the hostages stay in the hideouts. I am half way through it and just reached the point where one of the hostages, Marina, is found shot in the head. It is spine chilling, the way Marquez describes the ordeal of the hostages.
A friend forwarded the farewell message of Marquez who is suffering from terminal cancer and has withdrawn from public life. It is sad to think that the great writer is suffering. No writer has captured my imagination like Marquez and I feel depressed that he will not be writing any more. The final message makes for sad reading. Here are some excerpts from it:
"If God, for a second, forgot what I have become and granted me a little bit more of life, I would use it to the best of my ability. I wouldn't, possibly, say everything that is in my mind, but I would be more thoughtful of all I say. To all men I would say how mistaken they are when they think that they stop falling in love when they grow old, without knowing that they grow old when they stop falling in love.
I would give wings to children, but I would leave it to them to learn how to fly by themselves.
To old people I would say that death doesn't arrive when they grow old, but with forgetfulness.
I have learned so much with you all, I have learned that everybody wants to live on top of the mountain, without knowing that true happiness is obtained in the journey taken & the form used to reach the top of the hill.
I have learned that when a newborn baby holds, with its little hand, his father's finger, it has trapped him for the rest of his life.
I have learned that a man has the right and obligation to look down at another man, only when that man needs help to get up from the ground.
Say always what you feel, not what you think. If I knew that today is the last time that that I am going to see you asleep, I would hug you with all my strength and I would pray to the Lord to let me be the guardian angel of your soul.
Tomorrow is never guaranteed to anyone, young or old. Today could be the last time to see your loved ones, which is why you mustn't wait; do it today, in case tomorrow never arrives. I am sure you will be sorry you wasted the opportunity today to give a smile, a hug, a kiss, and that you were too busy to grant them their last wish.
Keep your loved ones near you; tell them in their ears and to their faces how much you need them and love them. Love them and treat them well; take your time to tell them "I am sorry";" forgive me"," please" "thank you", and all those loving words you know.
Show your friends and loved ones how important they are to you.Send this letter to those you love. If you don't do it today...tomorrow will be like yesterday, and if you never do it, it doesn't matter, either, the moment to do it is now.
For you,With much love,
Your Friend,
Gabriel Garcia Marquez"
There is so much wisdom in this farewell message it is difficult not to feel extremely depressed.
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