Chapter 57 Chapter 1 The Sound of the Storm

This is my first time sailing with my wife and children.When I recount this experience, I often feel that because middle-class Hindus favor child marriages, the husbands are often literate while the wives are effectively illiterate.This creates a gulf between them, and the husband must be the wife's teacher.Then I had to plan such little things as what clothes my wife and children should wear, what they should eat, what manner they should adopt to suit their new surroundings, and so on.There were some situations at the time that are still interesting in retrospect today. A Hindu wife always regards her husband's obedience as the highest religious belief.A Hindu husband regards himself as the overlord and master of his wife, and she must always serve him with a smile on her face.

As I write this chapter, I believe that, in order to appear civilized, our dress and appearance should be as close as possible to European standards.Because I think only in this way can we have a little influence; without influence, it is impossible to do things for the overseas Chinese group. I therefore determined the style of dress for my wife and children.How can I want others to know that they are Banya of Catiahua?At that time, the Persians were often considered the most civilized of the Indians, so since a purely European look seemed out of place, we settled on the Persian.This way my wife wears the bohi "sari" and the kids wear the bohi top and pants.Of course, no one can not wear shoes and socks.It took my wife and children a long time to get used to it.The shoes pinched their feet, and the socks stank of sweat.Toes often feel sore.I always have a ready set of words to reply to their reasons for objecting to this method.But I had the impression that my authority was valid rather than my reply.They agreed to change the costumes because there was nothing else to do.In the same spirit, and with more reluctance, they use the knife and fork at the table.They gave up the knife and fork as soon as my fascination with these symbols of civilization had worn off.I am afraid that it is equally troublesome for them to return to the old way after being used to the new way for a long time.But today I understand that we feel freer and more relaxed without this "civilized" pretense.

There are also some relatives and acquaintances who are on the same boat as us.I used to see these people and the steerage passengers, and since the boat was owned by a friend of a party who entrusted me with the case, I could go about as I pleased. Since the ship sailed directly to Natal without stopping, the voyage took only eighteen days.Yet we were at sea, but four days' voyage from Natal, met with a dreadful storm, which seemed to warn us of the real storm which was approaching on land.In the southern hemisphere, December is the month of the summer rainy season, so in this season in the South China Sea, large and small storms are very common.The storm we encountered was so violent and prolonged that the passengers were all in a panic.It was a formidable scene.Facing a common danger, everyone is in the same boat and united as one.Forgetting their differences among each other, Muslims, Hindus, Christians and all, think of only one God.Various vows were made, and the captain prayed with the passengers.He assured them that, though the storm was not without its dangers, he had had several experiences worse than this one.He also explained to them that a well-built ship can withstand any weather.But these words could not comfort them.Every minute there were sounds like cracks and leaks.The boat was pitching and swaying very violently, as if it might sink at any moment.Of course there was no one on deck. "God bless" was the only cry from everyone's mouth.As far as I can remember, this catastrophe lasted about twenty-four hours.At last it cleared and the sun came out, and the captain announced that the storm was over.The faces of the people shone with joy, and as the danger passed away, the name of God passed from their lips.Eating, drinking, singing, and playing have become daily life again.The fear of death is removed, and fervent prayer without a moment's rest has given way to "maya".The usual "Namazi" and prayers are still there, but they have lost the solemnity and sanctity of suffering.

This storm, however, melted me and my passengers into one.I am not much afraid of this storm, because I have had similar experiences.I'm a good sailor and don't get seasick.So I was able to move without fear among the passengers, tending to them, comforting them, and giving them the hourly reports from the captain.As we shall see later, the friendships I have thus acquired have served me well. On December 18 or 19, the ship dropped anchor at Durban Harbour. "Nardelli" also arrived on the same day. But the real storm is yet to come.