#books
Cry, The Beloved Country.
Cry, The beloved Country (1948), by Alan Paton, is considered one of the greatest novels about Africa.
The story of a native black African, and his son facing the death-row for murder, can’t be read without a lump in the throat.
The theme was recreated by O V Vijayan in one of his most famous stories in Malayalam, Kadaltheerath. The protagonist Vellayi Appan too evokes similar sentiments in the hearts of the readers.
Cry, the Beloved Country was made into a film in later years.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
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“Cry, the beloved country, for the unborn child that is the inheritor of our fear. Let him not love the earth too deeply. Let him not laugh too gladly when the water runs through his fingers, nor stand too silent when the setting sun makes red the veld with fire. Let him not be too moved when the birds of his land are singing, nor give too much of his heart to a mountain or a valley. For fear will rob him of all if he gives too much. “
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The boy was brought to them, and for a moment some great hope showed in his eyes, and he stood there trembling and shaking.
…….
And Kumalo said desperately to his son, are you in health? And the boy answered, I am greatly. He longed for other things to say, but could not find them.
……..
At those dread words the boy fell on the floor, he was crouched in the way that some of the Indians pray, and he began to sob, with great tearing sounds that convulsed him. For a boy is afraid of death. The old man, moved to it by that deep compassion which was there within him, knelt by his son, and ran his hand over his head.
Be of courage, my son.
I am afraid, he cried. I am afraid.
Be of courage, my son.
The boy reared up on his haunches. He hid nothing, his face was distorted by his cries. Au.au. I am afraid of the hanging, he sobbed, I am afraid of the hanging.
Still kneeling, the father took his son’s hands, and they were not lifeless any more, but clung to his, seeking some comfort, some assurance.
……..
My son, dry your tears.
So the boy took the cloth that was offered to him and dried his tears. He kneeled on his knees, and though the sobbing ended, the eyes were far-seeing and troubled.
My son, I must go now. Stay well, my son. I shall care for your wife and your child.
……….
My son, I must go now.
He stood up, but the boy caught his father by the knees, and cried out to him, you must not leave me, you must not leave me. He broke out again into the terrible sobbing, and cried. No, no, you must not leave me.
……………
He woke with a start. It was cold, but not so cold. He had never slept on these vigils, but he was old, not quite finished, but nearly finished. He thought of all those who were suffering,…..
But above all of his son, Absalom. Would he be awake, would he be able to sleep, this night before the morning? He cried out, My son, my son, my son.
With his crying he was now fully awake, and he looked at his watch and saw that it was one o’clock. The sun would rise soon after five, and it was then it was done, they said. If the boy was asleep, then let him sleep, it was better….
……….
When he woke again there was a faint change in the east, and he looked at his watch almost with a panic. But it was four o’clock and he was reassured. And now it was time to be awake, for it might be they had awakened his son, and called him to make ready. He left his place and could hardly stand, for his feet were cold and numb. He found another place where he could look to the east, and if it was true what men said, when the sun came up over the rim, it would be done.
………..
He looked out of his clouded eyes at the faint steady lightening in the east……….
And the east lightened and lightened, till he knew that the time was not far off. And when he expected it, he rose to his feet and took off his hat and laid down on the earth, and clasped his hands before him. And while he stood there the sun rose in the east”.
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The New Republic described the novel, “The greatest novel to emerge out of the tragedy of South Africa, and one of the best novels of our time. “
– Joy Kallivayalil.
