Shark - A Story in The Submarine World - Part II
Casper believes “that this could be the reason why sharks have to be constantly on the alert, and must sleep in wakefulness over there, in the dark bottom of the ocean, always to reach the shadow of a rock to get some relaxation, watching with one and resting with the other”. Although at the present time, ichtyologysts affirm that the reason for the open eye is simply because they lack eyelids.
Thus, it is only natural that Casper and his fellow sharks, abhor this type of earth dwellers, ruthless and with dark instincts. They in turn, conclude that since they always have such a good apetite, it would be a good idea to use them to cook a special hash, well-seasoned with a good marinade, chile, marine tree and fine herbs, plus good iodized marine kitchen salt and spices, similar to those found the other day in the Chinese sailing vessel from the distant Fuchow, that reached the Bay, only God knows how, and capsized near Cabo Corrientes. Uum!
 Consequently, the dogfishes, always at the defensive, have won a bloody reputation. It is true and one must accept it, that the red shade of the blood, either venous or arterial, happens to be very attractive to them. But according to a recent research it is only a matter of aesthetics. Well, one cannot deny that some of them are truly bloody, but that is something occurring even among the best families.
On the other had an after all, who with some dignity would put up with a squat person, who passing by in his fishing boat is always making grotesque and inciting faces with the only purpose to catch him and eat him. Yes we talking about those heartless fascists that proclaim here and there that being in the water near a shark is like being before a fierce tiger on the land. They exaggerate!
Casper show great deference to the dolphins because he regards it as a very antique pure race that deserves to be respected. It would be convenient to search in the annals of the ocean, by means of Papa Firpo’s participation, and maybe be able to find the reason of that special thoughtfulness. One must acknowledge the fact that in the offices of said city Hall; clerks never refuse the access to the files.
Casper has the same feelings towards the rays. Precisely, Renata the ray happens to beautiful young girl by the way. She proceeds from the most pure slum environments. Renata is a bit scatterbrained, good tempered and very young. She laughs whenever possible and cries whenever she wants. She belongs to the family of the birostis rays, a very ancient race of a dark hoodlum reputation with black and bitter blood. Renata likes to escort Casper when he is on his forays. She actually does not have much to do. Besides, she loves adventure.
Sebastian is a brilliant, stuttering dolphin, who enjoys to constantly whistling. It is a part of his personality. He is Casper’s best friend belongs to the Coryphanea Huppurus, a very distinguished family. He always laughs, has an excellent sense of humor and is all the time full of amusing observations.
Together the three friends impetuously traverse across the ocean, just like if persecuted by the very spouse of Belzebuth. They go through large spaces, unlimited most beautiful plains; they do it with full lungs at an amazing speed, at least thirty marine knots. Actually, Renata is essentially left behind and although she has a special resource: throwing herself to the space and flying for a while, she very seldom catches up with them. Manta is rather lazy.
During these incursions they enjoy a mystic pleasure, a genuine rapture. Also, it is worth to mention their ineffable feeling of freedom that makes them slide from one reef to another, evading huge sharp reef points and travel through coral woods crowded with star corals, cactus corals, two leaf corals, deer horn corals. They go flying through caves where light does not venture, because it fears to be put out. They go over forest made out of secret and mysterious shadows where ferocious encounters are constantly developing, a reminiscence of those romantic and devious times when the cape was popular and the spade enthusiastically appeared quite often. It is a fabulous place: gardens of wonderful color, charming marine skies, awesome translucent, constantly muting effects, which, influenced by the intense sun and the romantic, moderate moon, changes according to her fancies, which in turn, are related to the prevailing thermal conditions.
Casper found out that he respects Sebastian and his race because of the integrity, which is a consistent feature in their life. They are very kind and also show an essential merriment which is always present even at the most adverse moments. Also they are prone to poetry and show it by means of gay sinuous movements. A poetry of rhythmical harmony.
 The smile of the dolphins is somewhat malicious and mocking. It is the smile of full grown, free, emancipated beings, and such smile just disarms. Casper, maybe because in a way he, Casper the hunter, knows that his smile will never be like theirs, because it looks more like a grimace than the smile of a naïve being. Also, the compassion that Stephen shows towards the grieving of the slums is unique and as to his intelligence, without a doubt, is superior.
They also have a very well developed internal sonar system. It is just wonderful. By means of the echo of their voices, they communicate among themselves at any distance, in order to echo of they voices, they communicate among themselves at any distance, in order to coordinate themselves, to locating their favorite preys and to scanning the surroundings to detect any possible risky situation.
It is necessary to confess that even though Casper does not like to admit it, in the sport contests the shark group would never match the dolphins, those merry mammals.
Both tribes possess good singers and their songs –a little high pitched all over the scope of the great Bay, which by the way, according to several opinions, is one of the most beautiful, large and majestic in this world. These groups formed a choir, and during the Easter time, offer concerts over there, in the deep space, in the huge, well conditioned caves that amazingly have not only an excellent acoustic, but also a magnificent luminosity.
Casper, who daily praises the Lord is Creator, composes a fluid poem. Renata, the Manta, his friend and cousin produces the music with the help of the pastor of Las Peñitas, an old dolphin whose name is Anouk. He comes from the great and freezing Hudson Bay. It took months for the venerable Anouk to become acclimated, but now he solemnly and wonderfully plays the organ.
In these days millions of enthusiastic fishes congregate from every neighborhood. It is possible to watch the aggressive ones, the peaceful “piscis” and those, whose realm is color and merriment. There are some making vibrations with certain organs, which actually are swimming bladders, others bring down big sounding shells, huge snails, resonant pitchers and flageolets, made out of precious woods producing humming moans, and also incredible tunefully flutes with cylinders and percussion caps, timblers of hoarse discordanse, marine cicahuatlis and many other instruments, which ensemble chimerical concerts not even conceivable for human beings. The therapeutic effects of these concerts are excellent. Harmony prevails, and magically, hunting and quarreling come to an end.
Those are praising days, days of the Lord. The music takes us close to the Creator. During the concert it is strictly forbidden to chew gum or to produce crackling vulgar sounds. But beware of someone underhandedly gulping down his neighbor because the jail is damp, large and not very pleasant.
The Mythical Neptune God is always there, as a guest of honor. His great palace is located in the neighboring country, by the end of the Bay. His entourage consists of a huge select group of sea-horses that belong to the Hippocampus Zestorae and the Erectus family that send fort bewitching sounds with their reed flutes, small tambourines and high pitched wind instrument.
To be continued...
Read the Shark - A Story in The Submarine World – Part I
Ramiz Barquet
E-mail: galleria_nelly@hotmail.com
■ Learn about Ramiz Barquet
■ Currently part of the work of Ramiz Barquet can be admired and acquired at Nelly Art Gallery, located at 558 Morelos Street in downtown. Opening hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. & from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Phone: 223-1193 • E-mail: galleria_nelly@hotmail.com
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