The Woman in the Dunes - Machi Abe [49]
“You agree, don’t you? It really is important to clear away the sand. But that’s a means, not a goal. Your goal is to protect your life from the sand, isn’t it? It is, isn’t it? Fortunately I’ve done some research on sand; I’m especially interested in it. That’s why I made it a point to come to a place like this. Sand has a strange fascination for people today. There’s a way of taking advantage of this. The place can be developed as a new sight-seeing spot, for example. You take advantage of the sand, you follow it, you don’t run against it. In short, you’ve got to try to make a complete change in your thinking.”
The old man opened his eyes. “In any sight-seeing place,” he answered indifferently, “there’s got to be a hot spring around. Besides, everybody knows that the only ones who make anything out of tourists are the merchants or outsiders.”
Perhaps it was his imagination, but the man had the feeling of being laughed at; and he suddenly recalled the woman’s story about the postcard salesman who, after meeting the same fate as he, had taken sick and died.
“Well, that’s just one example of what you might do, of course. You can assume also that there are special crops suited to the particular properties of sand, can’t you? In short, you don’t have to stick so unreasonably to the old way of life.”
“But we’ve made all kinds of studies. We’ve tried raising peanuts and bulbs and things like that. I’d just like to show you how tulips grow here.”
“Well, what about breastworks to protect you against the sand?… a full-scale breastwork against the sand? I’ve got a friend on a newspaper, you know. It’s very possible to use the paper to start public opinion moving in your favor.”
“No matter how much sympathy we get from the rest of the world it won’t make any difference unless we get the necessary funds.”
“Well, then. You’ve got to start a movement to get them.”
“Maybe, but according to government regulations, damage from wind-blown sand doesn’t seem to be recognized under disaster compensation.”
“You should work to have it recognized!”
“What can you do about it in such a poor prefecture as this one? We’re completely disgusted. Anyway, our present way is the cheapest. If we let the government office have their way we’d be lost in the sand while they’re fiddling with their abacuses.”
“But I have my own situation to think about!” he cried out at the top of his voice. “You’re the parents of children, aren’t you? You surely understand the obligations of a teacher!”
At that very instant the old fellow drew up the rope. Taken by surprise, the man released it inadvertently. What impertinence! Had the old man been pretending to listen to what he was saying only in order to seize the opportunity of hauling up the rope? He was amazed when his outstretched hands met thin air.
“You behave like madmen. You’ve lost your senses. Even a monkey could shovel up the sand if it just had a little practice. I should be able to do a lot more than that. A man has the obligation to make full use of the abilities he has.”
“Well, maybe, but …” The old man spoke casually as if to put an end to the chitchat. “Do what you can anyway. We’ll do whatever we can to help you.”
“Wait! Don’t joke! Hey, there! Wait a minute! You’ll be sorry. You don’t understand at all. If you’d just wait a minute. Please!”
But the old man did not look around again. He stood up, his shoulders bent as though he carried a heavy burden, and walked away. After three steps his shoulders were no longer visible, and with the fourth he had completely disappeared from view.