Well, imagine
the agonies of an aging, graying man to be able to run 42.195 meters; of
waking when still heavy with sleep, of sore feet, blistered toes,
bruised toenails, of parching thirst, in the blazing sun, to build up
the physical condition required.
Making the hellish journey as
pleasant as possible, he starts as early as four o’clock on Sunday
mornings, arriving at six at the outskirts of Jakarta when Nature
awakes, he travels through paths, byways, into a Paradise of the
countryside, of villages, woodland, fields, …
What’s wandering through a
park or traveling comfortably in a car?
Where no city’s bustle
will annoy his ears, then he, a city-man becomes a Child of Nature,
stops or walks slowly to enjoy the song of cicadas, the sounds of
flowing, falling water, the rustling trees, the shade and cool breeze,
delighting, inspiring man again and again.
Where he chanced to
watch two squirrels chasing about in trees. Did you ever chance to see a
squirrel in Jakarta nowadays? What’s seeing a squirrel in a cage or
preserved in a zoological palace of science?
When such delightful
scenery as a lake, a river, a brook or even a creek invites him to take a
dip after running and sweating in the sun.
When no ads and
billboards will catch his eye but a swimming mother duck with lovely
ducklings, or washing; bathing nymphs and beauties; while thirst is
turning water into nectar and wine.
Then, very tired after
traveling, to return, all the way back home, when busses offer him a
heavenly ride just for Rp. 200.- while other heavenly pleasures awaits
him; of drinking juice or just cool water out of the kendi
(earthen drinking vessel), of taking off his shoes and feel the
delightful sensations of walking barefooted on the cool floor, of the
freest, deepest breathing, youthful vigor and keen appetite, then close
the day with a blissful sleep to crown that day’s feast.
And they descend on you in a natural way like a heavenly blessing, or a subtle heavenly reward.
Those
who have never suffered writhing with rheumatism, toothache,
stomachache, gasping for breath by an attack of asthma, keep waking an
eternity by insomnia, don’t realize the heavenly treasures of good
health.
A feeling of gratitude comes with the conviction that even
an aging man without any talent for sport as he is, can still make it.
Which is so encouraging when he feels himself to be too small and of no
significance before, ever to perform this highly improbable feat: to run
the marathon and it has brought him greater self confidence as well as
improved the quality of his life through better health.
Anyone (heaven is impartial) can have a share in these blessings just by exercising their body they like.
Published in The Indonesia Times, August 6, 1988
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