[Ubudian]

The following excerpt is from the memoirs of the first expatriate artist on Bali, the American, Maurice Sterne, NA who lived here from 1911 to 1914. We held the first retrospective exhibition of his Balinese works at our gallery back in 2005. It’s a great story, and for those who have lived in Bali for a long time, it will bring a smile to your face:

“I got involved in a less serious commercial venture in the bazaar one day. I would go there every morning to sketch the wonderful colors and patterns of the place. One morning my attention was caught by a small boy who was absorbed in a ghastly game. He had caught a bright blue bird and tied its leg to a twig. Every few minutes he would jerk the twig sharply and the startled bird would leave it perch and take flight, only to find itself caught by the string a few inches away. It would end each flight hanging helplessly from the twig, fluttering its lovely wings. The boy was apparently having a fine time. He was not really cruel; he simply had not thought of his game’s consequences. I called him over and asked to buy the bird. He was quite reluctant to part with it, and agreed only when my price rose from coppers to a silver coin. I took the bird and noticed that the boy and a few men from the market stood watching curiously to see what I would do with my purchase. A shocked gasp went up as I took my penknife out of my pocket; but when I used it to cut the string and release the bird, they were even more surprised.

The following morning, my little friend was back, with another bird. I grinned at his cleverness and he grinned back, but our understanding did not prevent him from playing his awful game. I tried to ignore him, but the bird’s bright color and the boy’s clever maneuvering to stay in my line of vision were too much. I paid him off again and released the latest victim. The next day I sat waiting nervously for my new “business associate” to appear. The hours passed but he did not come. I was convinced that I had escaped, when from every side of the bazaar came small boys, each armed with twig, string, and a bright blue bird. I buried my head in my sketch pad, gritted my teeth, and determined to ignore them. They came closer and closer, jerking their twigs with greater and greater violence. I had started a new industry in Den-Passar, and I cursed myself for my stupidity! After a very long and very nerve-racking morning, the boys gave up. I had won, but I fear for the psychological health of that particular flock of Bali birds.”

[De Tom]

That is a great story! Thanks for sharing that! There are many situations where i feel i would be doing something good but in the end i know it would result in something even worse than what i'm trying to prevent. Oh the mind-games one have to go along with sometimes to avoid digging a hole for oneself.

One example in the Kuta / Denpasar area are the people begging for money at the trafficlights here and there. They are escorted by Bemo's or Trucks in the morning nowadays (it's a business) and i can only assume it all began with a few of them genuinely begging for money. People started giving them what they asked for in hope that they would go away with sufficient funds.. resulting in more beggars.. and eventually someone decided to organize the whole thing and ship them out like coffee fieldworkers.

I never give any money to the trafficlight beggars i just feel it's sad to see that they take advantage of their young children who are only a few years old. They carry them around or let them do the dirty work so that people take pity on them and give them money.

I usually give money to beggars who are handicapped or really old people. They are almost never to be found near any trafficlights. I don't see any harm in helping these people, but for the middle-aged, still strong and able to work ladies at the trafficlights.. i'll pass.

The story reminds me of the expression 'give them a finger and they'll take your whole arm'. Funny to read that things haven't changed that much.

[anna]

GREAT story! Thanks for sharing it Ubudian!

And Tompa, I agree. We usually give money to the disabled/elderly but that's it. And you're right, you hardly see the disabled/elderly near traffic lights or even begging at all for that matter.