JUAN M. FLAVIER: THE PARABLE OF THE DEAF AND THE BLIND

                                     MANILA, OCTOBER 1, 2003 (BULLETIN) Juan M. Flavier - THE barrio lad was born completely blindand totally deaf. For as long as he could remember. He lived in a world of darkness and silence. Almost likean over-compensation, he evolved a supersensitive sense of touch. He could tell, as if he had a radarantennae, the presence of persons or things and exactly where they stood. By sheer memory, he had amental view of their hut. He could walk around effortlessly without bumping into anything. He knew therewere two narra chairs facing each other with a small table in between. On the table was a knitted tableclothon which rested a glass vase with plastic flowers. To the side was a window throughout which the cool barriobreeze streamed. Almost likean over-compensation, he evolved a supersensitive sense of touch. He could tell, as if he had a radarantennae, the presence of persons or things and exactly where they stood. By sheer memory, he had amental view of their hut. He could walk around effortlessly without bumping into anything. He knew therewere two narra chairs facing each other with a small table in between. On the table was a knitted tableclothon which rested a glass vase with plastic flowers. To the side was a window throughout which the cool barriobreeze streamed.

 On one wall he knew there were shelves which displayed various statuettes and little
ceramic pieces. In the corner was a cabinet (tokador) with a glass door. Past the wall was their bedroom.
On one side was the bamboo stairs with five rungs leading to the dining area and kitchen. Many times, he
would wonder about the colored appearance of the world around him. He imagined what the actual sounds
were of the vibrations he felt made by the people and things inside and outside the hut. One day, the barrio
lad knelt and prayed. “My Creator, I do not mean to complain. But I am just so curious about the sights and
sounds which I am not privileged to experience.

 I pray for You to please let me see and hear even just for
one day.” In a flash, the young man was stunned by the flood of glaring light and sharp sounds. He marveled
at the play of colors outside the window — the lush trees and the bright blue sky. The voices of people, the
barking of dogs, the roar of tricycles... all pierced his eardrums like never before. Everything seemed exciting
and pleasurable. But then he began to see and hear too much. He was particularly bothered by the measure
of unkind words. Of arguments filled with hate and enmity. Parents berating their wailing children. Women
crying in despair.

 Young men cursing. He was unsettled by the poverty around the barrio. Many huts were
dilapidated and unkempt. By the wayside were heaps of garbage. He was witness for the first time to the
cruelty that men do to fellow men. He knelt down once more and prayed, “My Creator, thank you for your
positive reply to my petition. But now please give me back my piece of mind in my dark and quiet life. In a
world such as this, I prefer to be deaf and blind.

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