Part 2 — Analysis and Reflection

95

Hey man! who hit He-man?

(This could be done in mime, with or without a narrator, with or without supporting stage sets and other players, depending on how efficient the artist is in bringing out the meaning.)

I am a Man—a He-man.

But, truthfully speaking, I have rounded shoulders, a skinny look, a shrill

voice and people call me effeminate.

I exercise, I imitate the manly walks, and I practise the wolf-whistle all the

time — especially when I see women.

I dress in style: flashy clothes, a cigarette in my mouth, give me the He-man

look.

Some guys down my street had once told me how good it felt to do that... to a

woman. Whoa! I thought, if only I had the chance.

Actually, you see, none of the women looked at me, in spite of my good

clothes, whistles and He-man looks. I had no regular job to afford a woman in

the brothels.

Then it happened one night: through a park, I followed a woman. It was my

chance, I had to get her. I had to get that good feeling like the other guys.

I tried to grab her. But something went wrong—my strategy. I lay there

wounded and alone.

In the dark I had not seen the umbrella and her boots.

Nargis Basu

India