Agot and His Magic Pasalubong (Why Ignorance is Dangerous)
Agot belons to a desert tribe that inhabits the remote regions of Sahara. The tribe practices rudimentary farming methods, relying mostly on the desert’s scant resources as hunters and gatherers for sustenance. Agot and his tribesmen have very limited contact with the outside world, except for occasional trips to the lowland villages to sell their produce. Because of this, they know next to nothing about the practices of the farther regions, much less the urban dwellers.
One day, Agot decides to go to the Big City, wanting to experience a taste of city life before he dies. When he tells his family about his plans, his wife tries to dissuade him.
“Nothing good will come out of your plan,” she says.
The following month, Agot is all set to embark on his great journey. As he leaves, his wife and two daughters tearfully bid him farewell, but not before his jealous wife warns him to steer clear of any unwanted distractions — especially urban women who might seduce him. Agot, in turn, tells them to look after his plants and animals during his absence. He promises to bring them presents upon his return.
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After walking for three weeks, Agot finally arrives at the Big City. As the sun dips below the horizon and darkness blankets the city, a mesmerizing transformation takes place. The Big City comes alive with a symphony of lights.
Famished after his long journey, Agot enters a restaurant. Seeing a waiter, he asks, “Where can I find firewood to cook my meal? Is there a dish that tastes like fresh air and smells like cow dung? That’s what we’re used to back home.” The waiter laughs in amusement.
Agot stares at the cutlery on the table, not knowing what they are for. Perplexed, he picks up a fork and examines it closely. He then calls the waiter again: “How do I use this tiny spear to catch my food?” The waiter cannot give a satisfactory answer. Starving, Agot puts the cutlery aside and begins eating with his bare hands, to the consternation of the waiters and diners.
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After dinner, Agot takes a stroll. He comes upon an elevator and stares at the contraption until the man behind him yells, “Hurry up, buddy, you’re holding up everybody!” Agot then fumbles his way onto the escalator, earning dagger looks from the passenger behind him.
He notices a metal door where people come in and out. Inside is a small square room. An elderly couple waits outside and enters when the door opens. Agot gapes in awe at the shiny surfaces and gleaming store windows full of fancy objects. Having never seen such things before, he observes the people coming and going, wondering what sort of strange city doors these are.
A man beside him asks in astonishment, “Why, have you not seen an elevator before?”
A little old woman, wrinkled and bent, slowly taps her way into the elevator with her walker. The doors close with a DING, the lights above flash, and moments later the doors open with another DING. Out saunters a tall, gorgeous twenty-something blonde. Agot gapes, mouth wide open, murmuring to himself, “I wonder if I shove my wife inside one of these square rooms. Maybe she will also transform into a beautiful lady?”
Being new to the Big City, he marvels at the skyscrapers and begins to count one to see how many storeys it has. A group of local teenagers notices his odd behavior and approaches him.
“Hey, man. What are you doing?”
“I’m just counting the storeys. These mountains are so tall. I’ve never seen them in real life before.”
“You mean you’re not from around here?”
“That’s right. My tiny village is far away. This is the first time I travel out of my village, let alone to a big city like this.”
The teenager, thinking of a way to take advantage of him, says, “You know what, if you count the stories of the skyscraper, you have to pay.”
“You don’t say? How much do I have to pay?”
“Not much. Just 10 bucks per storey. So how many did you count?”
“I guess I owe you 100 dollars then.”
Agot hands them $100. The teenagers walk away laughing at the easy money.
“Teenagers in this city are so dumb,” Agot mutters, giggling. “They’re down 200 bucks and have no idea. I counted thirty stories!”
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Agot spends a longtime gazing at the skyscrapers, mouth agape, marveling at the gorgeous shops and crowds of finely dressed pedestrians. Eventually, he works up the courage to step inside some of the fine shops and buy gifts. He is astonished by what he finds, especially the prices. Still, he buys plenty of pretty clothes for his wife and daughters.
Finally, Agot goes in search of something for himself. The shopkeeper, realizing he is from out of town, decides to make easy money.
“Would you like to see something truly astonishing?”
Agot thinks it impossible to be more astonished than he already is, but he agrees. The shopkeeper shows him a box that, when turned on, begins to talk and sing.
“This is called a radio. Inside dwells a dwarf that will talk and sing to its owner.”
Agot turns it on, and the box sings. He is delighted.
Next, the shopkeeper shows him a round object with one side covered in polished crystal.
“It’s called a mirror. You will see it contains your spirit.”
Agot peers into the mirror. He sees a man about his age. When he opens his mouth, the man copies him. Whatever he does, the man follows suit. He turns the mirror, trying to discover where the man is hiding, but finds nothing. Agot believes the mirror is magical.
The shopkeeper then offers him a box of cigars. “Whoever inhales the cigar will turn into a dragon.” He lights one, and smoke comes out of his nostrils. Finally, he asks Agot to sample a bottle of vodka. Sensing his naivete, the shopkeeper names a fancy price. Overwhelmed, Agot readily agrees to the extravagant purchase.
Three weeks later, Agot arrives home. The whole tribe is delighted.
“This calls for a celebration,” the chieftain says.
The family sits down and opens the presents. The fancy clothes thrill his wife and daughters. Then he brings out the mirror and hands it to his wife.
But when she sees her reflection, she shrieks angrily, “Who is that ugly woman you bring back with you? Did I not warn you to steer clear of women?”
His daughters borrow the mirror next. Seeing two teenage girls, they cry, “Momma, papa has brought his two illegitimate daughters!”
The grandparents rush in to see the commotion. Upon seeing their own reflections, they exclaim, “What ugly creatures have you brought to your house? You dirty dog! You not only bring a mistress and new daughters, but also new in-laws!”
Grandma hurls the mirror at Agot, who ducks just in time. Her face twists with fury as she screams, “You good‑for‑nothing dog! Why have you dragged this old, wrinkled witch into our home?!” Her voice cracks like thunder, each word dripping with venom and rage.
“Let’s call the chieftain and see what he has to say about this outrage,” the grandparents say furiously.
When the chieftain arrives, Agot explains everything, laughing as he reveals how they have all been tricked. In the end, the chieftain and his family are convinced there is nothing to worry about, and they all join in laughter.
To celebrate, Agot brings out the rest of his presents — the liquor, radio, and cigars. He opens the liquor and gives each of them a glass. They drink until they empty two bottles, becoming intoxicated and loud.
The whole village is astonished at the magic potion that makes people dance and talk nonsense all day long. After the drinking spree, everybody begins to spill out their secrets.
Og blurts out that he stole his neighbor’s crops. Gulay, in the presence of his wife, reveals that he and their neighbor Paula are secret lovers. And Estrellita unwittingly disclose her secret that she started the rumor that Laura’s husband, Kurdapio, is gay.
Everybody begins to examine the talking box (radio) if only to find out how such a small device can fit in so many people inside who do nothing but make all sorts of idle talk all day.
When Agot turns on the radio, it plays strange rhythmic sound that the chieftain and all the villagers begin dancing awkwardly, rumbling, chattering foolishly while laughing endlessly for no reason at all.
Finally, Agot brings out the cigars. Lighting them as everybody begins to inhale and exhale to their heart’s content. The house is filled with smoke as everybody laughs endlessly for no apparent reason.
The smoke becomes so overpowering that everybody thinks the house is on fire. They all run out of the house in panic and jump into the nearby river.
Because of the disastrous event, the village elders decide to prohibit the tribe from going to the city and making contact with the urban dwellers ever again.
