The Mime gets the mercy: from Madhu Mangal das
Dear devotees,
Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to our most beloved Srila Prabhupada, all glories to Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga, all glories to the sankirtan devotees of the Lord!
St. Georges Mall is one of the most popular downtown areas in Cape Town. During the day, it is a hive of activity, as thousands of office workers, shoppers, and tourists throng the mall, looking for bargains from the various flea markets, hoping to find that special African souvenir or a bargain to get their money's worth from their pound or dollar. People sit al fresco, outside the many restaurants, basking in the fair Cape sunshine, watching the passing parade. Part of the mall's attraction and vibe that adds color, particularly during the summer holiday season are the many street artist, African choirs singing traditional African gospel songs, buskers play improvised music and jam together with jembay drum players, some playing traditional township music on penny whistles, and of course the world famous chanting 'Hare Krishna's', dancing with their drums, hand cymbals, orange robes and flowing colorful saris, adding an exotic eastern flavor. The mall is also the home of many well-known eccentric characters, that lend a touch of curiosity to the mall's crowd. There is Nina the witch, who walks around with a sandwich board, cursing people if they do not take one of her chain-letters, a man who sells pan pipe flutes, who on some days is seen happily playing his hand made flutes greeting people with a friendly smile as he beckons would-be customers to buy his flutes, but on some days he is seen cursing and shouting at imaginary demons, a Christian preacher, wearing a ten gallon Stetson hat, a string tie, and a pair of tight fitting red striped pants, with, "Jesus saves" written on each stripe, and a pair of cowboy boots, then, getting on top of a step ladder he preaches his fiery sermon, at times jumping off the ladder, running in circles around it, shouting and jumping up and down as he does so.
As I was on my way back to the bus station after a blissful day of distributing Srila Prabhupada's books I saw ahead of me quite a strange looking African man, wearing a kaftan, the type that are worn traditionally by West Africans. On the caftan of rough cloth were embroidered cowry shells and pieces of mirrors glued on the cloth. He wore a strange looking floppy tie-dyed hat, his face and arms painted with black polish and a beard of painted camomile lotion with a dot on his forehead. Around one arm he wore tassels made from plastic bags. In his one hand, he tightly held, what looked like some kind of metal bracket. As I approached him, I noticed that he was a freeze-framemime artist. The artist stands in a frozen position, and each time someone drops a coin or a note in his box, he changes position. A curious crowd of mostly African people were looking at him, wondering what the strange sight before their eyes might be. I asked him if he would like to take one of Srila Prabhupada's books – he did not move. I could see that he was trying to look at me and say something, but if he did, he would have spoilt his act. I asked him again, still no reply. I opened his frozen hand and put a King of Knowledge and an invitation flyer in it. I began to chant in front of him, "hare krsna hare krsna/krsna krsna hare hare/hare rama hare rama/rama rama hare!" He blurted out laughing, at the same time trying to contain himself. The crowd pointed out in their astonishment to see him move without someone putting a coin in his box. I asked him if he could give me a 50c coin in his box for the book – still no reply. I could see that he was itching to say something to me. The crowd began to get excited, almost as if waiting for him to give the word to me so that I could take a coin in his box and he could take Srila Prabhupada's book from me. I asked the excited crowd if they could all chant with me, smiling they all nodded their heads, yes they could. I began to chant the Hare Krsna maha mantra, then they all began to join in, one by one. Just then as the chanting became more ecstatic, the man whispered to me, yes please take. I went to the box and took 50c, showed it to him and asked if it was alright. He gave a small blink of his eye. I thanked him and told him, that if he applies the teachings and principles, he will ultimately achieve real happiness!
All glories to our most beloved Srila Prabhu ki jay!
Yours in the service of Lord Sri Krsna and His devotees,
Hare Krsna,
