by Robert Fischer
Upon returning to St. Simons I was welcomed back by some “locals” with a tribal rite consisting of a skit and a proclamation. Along with all the hoopla I was presented with the doormat pictured above. It was a spirited celebration; I’m not sure whether to be flattered or go directly to the stocks in the public square.
Two things about this event strike me as true. The first is that the locals here are frequently out of their minds engaging in mischief and mirth. The skit was performed to a doggerel entitled “The Robert Rap” followed by the solemn reading of the proclamation which, fortunately, I can’t remember, written by a friend. All of this was carried out with much whooping and glee. But you really needed to be there.
The second takeaway for me is the old adage that “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Apparently the origin of this frequently quoted saying is somewhat obscure, being attributed to the Chinese, Japanese, and several advertising gurus as well as Henrik Ibsen, the Norwegian playwright often referred to as “the father of realism.”
The gift of the doormat with its timely and possibly prophetic inscription is “worth a thousand words.” It’s frightening to think that this may be the legacy of our last four years.