You disturbed us, O rain, just as a dear and respected guest disturbs us when they stay beyond the traditional period of hospitality.

Today, after your waters have returned to their natural channels and we have finally breathed a sigh of relief, we apologize for everything we said about you, whether in your presence or behind your back. Your heart is generous, so do not hold it against us; it was merely a moment of foolish and passing anger.

You are like a cherished guest whose visit we long for, yet whose arrival troubles us because we do not have enough means to receive them properly: no adequate protection from the cold, no sufficient healthcare coverage, and no insurance coverage.

How could we not be angry with you when you expose everything? You reveal the weaknesses of our roads, our drainage systems, and even the competence of our engineers. You are therefore accused of lacking neutrality and of siding with the opposition.

You, bearer of hope, are accused of blocking roads, destroying fragile homes, and even causing death. Yet in truth, you are neither solely responsible nor truly to blame.

We accuse you of making taxis disappear when you arrive, while forgetting that you also bring out the snails.

We are never satisfied with the crops you help produce, forgetting that your drops alone are not enough unless they are mixed with drops of human sweat.

Forgive us for what we said. We were not accustomed to such amounts of rainfall: 208 mm according to Ahfir Europe and 120 mm according to the authorities. Although I generally side with the authorities, I still reproach them for publishing the rainfall figures without publishing the losses… pardon, their losses.

Thanks to the volunteers. Thanks also, even though one should not need to thank people for doing their duty, to the authorities, the municipality, and the rural council for what they have done. And once again, our apologies to you, dear rain.

Other news that coincided with the rain:

A murder in Zaïdour highlighted how much crime grows in impoverished neighborhoods and develops within prisons, which often serve as free training centers from which some emerge ready to fight for a cigarette and a quarter bottle of Ricard.

In the National Rally of Independents (RNI), the last person to join the party eventually becomes its president.

Lalla Sakina breaks off her engagement.

 

By Jelloul

2010