Short Story
Wherever Atlabachew is, he is known for his incessant complaints about one thing or the other shamelessly. Temesgen, an individual, who lives in his neighborhood, has seriously observed the way Atlabachew conducts himself when he is among his friends. In fact, the people he tries to identify with never take him seriously and often shun his presence. He is often absent while he is among those he thinks are his friends; he does not pay attention to what is happening because he is thinking about something else, perhaps his object of complaint.
“Why do you behave like that?” asked him Temesgen.
“What do you mean? Am I differently acting from the rest of the people?” retorted Atlabachew, his response tinged with a slight tone of anger.
Since Atlabachew sees no good in anything, Temesgen, shoving aside his cynicism and still said, “Why do you always complain about everything? As you are well aware, we do not live in a perfect world. Things do not always work the way we want them .”
“You don’t understand or you do not see things from my perspective,” said Atlabachew.
“Indeed, no two persons are exactly the same on our planet earth. Even identical twins, despite their perfect physical resemblance, are still different in their personality,” replied Temesgen.
Without budging a bit, Atlabachew insisted, “The objective reality is the same and common to us all and we should similarly react to it.”
Fully understanding his awkward view of life, Temesgen, smilingly said, “What you are saying might be true. To most people such attitude cannot hold water and in most cases, you will find yourself unfit to their standard.”
“That is your opinion. I don’t agree to anything of what you say,” insisted Atlabachew with disdain. His contempt for Temesgen was clearly visible on his face.
Temesgen felt a bit offended inside for failing to convince Atlabachew to come to self- criticism and reevaluate his behavior to be able to act in line with the norm of the society.
“If I am right, from the look of your situation,” said Temesgen, “your appealing look, voice etc. shows that you want help, approval, or agreement every time. This is impossible.”
“Why not, isn’t it what friends are for?”
“Not always. There are times when friends are tired of your expectation. Showing anger or unhappy feelings is disheartening and even provokes people contrary to your expectation,” replied Temesgen.
“What do you expect me do, Mr. know it all?” shouted Atlabachew without any regard for people around. Their presence was totally wiped out of his mind as he was fully engrossed in emotion.
Without taking his vulgarity into account, Temesgen, granting him a piece of advice said, “Put beatific expression on your face and appear extremely happy and peaceful. In this way you will be able to win the favor of the people you come in contact with. Otherwise, you look as if you are thinking and worrying about something else while you are still amid the people.”
Having attentively listening to the advice of Temesgen, Atlabachew at last thanked him and asked for more. His previous arrogance seemed to have evaporated into thin air. He was almost like a deflated tyre with no logical ground to stage argument. In submission, he said, “I thought I could make things right by fighting. It was my tactic to make angry remarks and threaten people, but it was all futile.”
“The way you were behaving always puzzled me and at times I was rather doubtful of your sanity,” said Temesgen.
“I don’t blame you. Now when I look back, the things I was doing were not at all right. I imagine that how terribly I have offended many people,” regretted Atlabachew.
“Let me remind you of one thing that people usually do; when things work well, you seldom hear them express appreciation. But when things slightly go wrong, they are quick to condemn and hurl barrage of criticism mercilessly. If they don’t do that, they feel they are more left behind. There is no balance in their judgment; they are often one-sided and capitalize only on the dark side of life,” said Temesgen.
Clearing his throat, Atlabachew, in agreement with Temesgen said, “What you are saying is absolutely right. Personally, coming to myself, I hardly see the good side of things only the dark side conspicuous stand out to me. I say, why should I be tolerant of things that I am not interested in and not benefitting to me as well? Even when it comes to a person, I can’t tolerate him if he, at times and by mistake, does things that are displeasing to me.”
“You are not the only person to behave that way,” said Temesgen. “It is after all the nature of fault finders. Such people, if they do not complain about things or situations that do not satisfy them, they feel they are more left behind. It is their conviction to respond to negative things more than the positive ones.”
“My biggest worry now is how to get rid of such behavior. I have been like that in my whole life and discouraging people who have good intentions,” said Atlabechew.
“I have a piece of advice that can pull you out of the mire of your incessant dissatisfaction. I am very sorry that the situation has harmed terribly and it has remained beyond any remedial measures,” said Temesgen.
“What could that be?” asked Atlabachew.
Temesgen told him that there is a lyric of a song that depicts how one should be satisfied with what he has and be thankful about it and here it goes:
Though the world looks upon me as I struggle alone
They say I have nothing but they are so wrong
In my heart I’m rejoicing and how I feel they should see
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me
There’s a roof up above me,
I have a good place to sleep
There’s food on my table and shoes on my feet.
You gave me you’re love and a fine family
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me
And I know I’m not wealthy, these clothes they’re not new
I don’t have money but Lord I have you
And that’s all that matters though the world may not see
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me
Atlabachew was much impressed by the positive attitude in the song. He had never seen things like that at all. The worth of what he owned meant nothing to him. He always aspired for unattainable high ideals. He could not reconcile his desire with the reality on the ground. For that matter, what he cannot achieve, he wants others to do it on his behalf. It was a kind of proxy war on the oddities of life. His dissatisfaction and thereby the resultant complaints are cover up for his failure to cope with the challenges of life.
“Have you now realized how unjustly blaming others for something they are not supposed to be accountable?” asked Temesgen. “You should not make others a scape goat. They should not be blamed or punished for the mistake they did not do.”
“You are right.” said Atlabachew.
“What you cannot do, do not always expect others to do it or don’t pretend you can do it. It is easier said than done, they say. As a conclusion I want to assure you that fault finders, their life is pervaded by misery; they dwell on their curses rather than counting their blessings
BY JOSEPH SOBOKA
The Ethiopian Herald 30 May 2021
