Love And Friendship

Local indigenous storytellers in cultures around the world have preserved their oral tales and entertained people for hours at a time.
Turkey has a rich storytelling tradition of its own. During these tense days prior to the election, it is helpful to maintain a sense of humor.
Let me share one of my favorite Nasreddin Hodja tales. It is called “The Ways of God” and goes like this:
“One hot day, the Hodja was taking it easy in the shade of a walnut tree. After a time, he started eyeing speculatively, the huge pumpkins growing on vines and the small walnuts growing on a majestic tree. ‘Sometimes I just can't understand the ways of God!' he mused. ‘Just fancy letting tiny walnuts grow on such a majestic tree and huge pumpkins on the delicate vines!' Just then a walnut snapped off and fell smack on the Hodja's bald head. He got up at once and, lifting up his hands and face to heavens in supplication, said: ‘Oh, my God! Forgive my questioning your ways! You are all-wise. Where would I have been now if pumpkins grew on trees!”
Poetry is another way in which to gain a rich cultural insight. In an earlier Today's Zaman piece, “Love and friendship in these days” (March 14, 2014), I share a poem by Yılmaz Güney that speaks volumes when considering recent events and the Turkish nation. I want to share it with you as we head into the days leading up to the election on Nov. 1. I want to express that I wish for love and friendship in these coming days, but we all wait to see what the reality will be.
Let me just explain to readers who are not familiar with the Turkish poet Yilmaz Güney that much of his work is written from his family's experience and this poem expresses something which every Turk desires -- change. The situation in Turkey at present is that society is polarized on what exactly this change should involve.
Before I share the poem, let me shed some light on his life. Güney was born in 1937 in Yenice (Adana) and died in exile in France in 1984. His father and mother migrated to Adana to work as laborers in the cotton fields. His childhood provided personal experience for his future work as a film director. His films deal with real-life issues, such as the lives of the downtrodden and marginalized strata of the population. Güney won the Palme d'Or at the 1982 Cannes Film Festival for his film “Yol.” Güney's last film, “Duvar” (The Wall, 1983), was made in France with the cooperation of the French government. It tells a shocking tale of imprisoned children.
Here's the English translation of his poem “Sevgi ve Dostluk” (Love and Friendship).
"I wish I could write conflict on a leaf
for the autumn to come and the leaf to fall
I wish I could write anger on a cloud
for the rain to pour and the cloud to disappear
I wish I could write hate on the snow
for the sun to shine and the snow to melt
and friendship and love, I wish I could write in the hearts of all new-born babies
to grow with them and engulf the universe"
I trust for the nation of Turkey to embrace these heartfelt words. I offer my condolences to all families who have, in recent days and weeks, lost loved ones through any form of violence and I hope for better days.
Also, at the end of this month comes a popular holiday in many countries, known as Halloween. It is celebrated in countries around the globe, the most in North America and Canada. I was reminded of this when visiting the US in September and saw the related merchandise on sale in retail stores. Many people decorate their homes and offices for Halloween. Pumpkins are very popular at this time of year. Pumpkin pies and decorative pumpkins are enjoyed by many. Halloween is the holiday when most candy is sold in the US. While other countries celebrate, Turks will be going to the polls. We all hope that the results will bring peace to Turkey and something to celebrate.

CHARLOTTE MCPHERSON (Cihan/Today's Zaman)