After my joke was said and done, he changed the subject because he remembered that there was something important he wanted to tell me. He said, “Ray, your lawmakers from the past and some from the present have put the indigenous people through many hardships. They are the ones who have taken the people’s way of living.” I did not want to respond to his comment, so I just replied, “Really?” I then told him about a saying I heard from my father a long time ago in the year 1971. I was only 10 years old then. My father said, “Son, don’t be a backstabber.” It has taken me years to realize the full understanding of his statement. I initially thought it meant to literally not stab someone in the back with a knife. My friend then responded, “Oh, you still remember what your father told you?” I replied, “Yes, my father gave me lots of advice, especially not to land behind bars.” My friend replied, “Your father gave you good advice, and you should be proud of yourself for actually listening to your father’s advices.” No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, but we have to try our best not to make too much mistakes in our lives. If I was your supervisor at a workplace and noticed that you made five mistakes regarding word performance every day, it would be my duty to try and assist you and correct your mistakes. However, if one continues to consistently make mistakes even with help from others, he or she might face dismissal from that job. As I explained these concepts to my friend, he agreed and then asked me another question, “Ray, what would you do if you went fishing for tuna and happened to catch a shark on the line?” I said that if that shark made it onto the boat then I would bring it home. He asked what I would do with the shark meat. I said I would cook it and feed it to my dogs and cats to save some money, instead of buying pet food. He then asked what I would do with the shark’s fin. I replied that I would cook it in a soup and drink it. It might cure my high blood pressure. My friend then said, “Ray, let’s line up and get some food to eat.”
My brothers and sisters, some say that we should not criticize, condemn, and complain about other people. My story does not fit that picture.
RAY AGULTO
Kannat Tabla, Saipan
