Art to Confess

Every morning we are informed of the news of the planet. Yet, we are poor for specific stories. Why is that? It happens that every incident they tell us is filled with explanatory data. In other words, none of what is indicated has the color of confession but the color of information. If we could reproduce a story by avoiding explanations, we would achieve half the art of confession. The elders, led by Herodotus, were master at this art.

In chapter 14 of the third book of his history, there is the story of Pharaoh of Egypt, Psamticus III. When Psaltic III, in 525 B.C., was defeated by Persians, Persian King Cambis II not only imprisoned but also did what he could to kneel down. And he commanded that they should lay him by the way, where the Persians would pass by with a triumphal parade, that the Pharaoh of Egypt might see his men as captives of Persians; but above all, to look upon his daughter as a slave, with a rod in his hand, running to fill water in the fountains.

As he watched that humiliating sight in which his Egyptians wept and groaned, Psamticus stood firm, without even moving or saying a word, with eyes fixed on the ground. Even when he saw that his son and some others were put before him for execution, he again stood firm. And it came to pass, when he saw one of his servants, an old and wretched man, in the remnant of captives, that he smote his head with fists, and gave signs of deep sorrow.

In this story we have a true confession. The information here is missing by leaving the country with a new value, which at that moment only shines forth. We focus on that value and do not want to waste time with anything else. Thus, something else happens in the account: The narrative does not end there, it is stored and stored firmly inside, and it can be confessed later, after a long time.

Montenji returning to this story of Egyptian Pharaoh raises the question: Why does Pharaoh first touch the misery of his old servant and not before? And, Montenji answers: “Since until that moment his soul was filled with pain, it was enough to add even a small drop of pain to stop him from enduring and breaking out. ”

This is a form of understanding of this story. But there are other explanations. Of course, anyone who raises that question in the circle of his friends may receive different answers to the matter. For example, one of my friends said: “Pharaoh does not touch the fate of a member of the monarchy because he is his.” Another said: “in this event touched on us many things that are not very impressive in life; the servant is only an actor for Pharaoh.” And one third said: “The great pain is collected in, but it only seems when it comes out. Once the servant saw the accumulated pain erupted. ”

If this story were to happen today”, said another, “then, in all the media it would be said that the Psaltic wanted his servant more than his children. ”

What is not questioned is that all journalists would try to explain the story. Herodotus does not explain it in a single word. Its confession is extremely dry. But this history of ancient Egypt can still cause astonishment and concern to follow thousands of years. It resembles seeds, which, hermetically shut in the pyramids chambers for thousands of years, maintained their superior power down to our day.

♪ Bajram Karaball