What to choose, what to choose (underneath the skyward-growing roots)

An old legend of the Bantu people states that when God was creating the world and the baobab tree within it, he feared that this tree would grow too fast and reach Him in heaven (an African version of the Tower of Babel). In situations like this, God has no choice but to stop the madness. The baobab was torn down at the roots and thrust back down to Earth, but it fell to the ground head-first and the roots were stuck hanging there in the air. Thus the tree grows with its roots on top.

Artist Mboma, from Malawi, split his painting into two sections using the baobab tree itself, thereby showing God’s pain. The people below have two paths, two shops into which they could enter. One shop sign, in blue, reads: “Good Hope and Ideas Enterprise” (the sign looks like it’s in English, but it’s actually written in the Chewa language, where English has been deeply integrated –– while the authentic Chewa word “maganizo” means “idea”). The sign on the second, yellow building, translated into English, reads: “Food Available”.

It’s up to the people to decide; those are the two choices. And not just for residents of Malawi, either. When Ukraine defeats its aggressor, I hope that the crowd of people rushing to the blue shop will dwarf that which seeks the yellow one.

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