The wondrous strand
Sunila NANAYAKKARA
The makeshift courtroom was unusually crowded. People from the
surrounding villages occupied the benches. In contrast, the rest
remained standing, men in trousers and shirts and women in frocks or
saris who had come to witness the case.
Some were armed with cameras. With the shout ‘Silence’ the gathering
stood at attention. The judge walked in. An officer from the local
police station stepped forward.
 “My Lord, The infant that was found alive in a cot, anchored among
the bushes, the day after the tsunami, had been looked after by the
hospital staff. When the press and the television carried the news,
there had been many who claimed the infant. So the hospital authorities
had kept the infant in their care.
People from various parts of the island had come to the hospital to
express their desire to adopt the infant.
They all held the opinion that the baby must be very fortunate and
will bring good luck to a family.”
“Who are the claimants for the baby?” The judge asked.
“If there is anybody, please come forward.”
There were many. Some of those who were seated made a struggle to get
across. It was a mixed group: parents or single parents whose babies had
disappeared, relatives of babies whose parents had fallen victims to the
massive tsunami waves when they were out at sea, fishing, or unloading
the boats. On their faces was etched an expression of disbelief and
despair.
“Are there any more?”
A lawyer answered: “My Lord, a childless couple from the city is
here. They wish to take the baby for adoption.”
“Firstly, the court has to see who the parents of this baby care. Can
the hospital staff now bring in the baby?”
As a nurse walked in with an infant in her arms, followed by a matron
and a medical officer, a murmur sprang from the gathering and developed
into a gable of low voices when a whimpering of an infant was heard.
“Silence” shouted the crier. The judge leaned forward and looked at
the baby wrapped in blue sheet.
“I thank the hospital staff for taking care of this baby.”
“Is the baby in good health?”
”Yes, My Lord. At the beginning we found him weak; but he improved
fast,”
The judge looked at the people who had come forward, smiled and asked
“Can all of you be the parents of this baby?”
A shadow of a smile appeared on many faces.
“Now we have to find the biological parents. Here we have to rely on
medial science. I like the doctor to present to the court, the
investigations they have done.”
The doctor representing the medical team spoke. “My Lord, here is the
report of the investigations; including the DNA tests we carried out.”
“So have you found who the parents are?”
“Yes. The parents are D Simon and S Asilin.”
“Are they here?”
The court crier repeated the names. A man in a worn-out sarong and a
shirt and a woman in cloth and jacket waded their way. Their faces had
blank looks.
“Why did you leave your infant unattended?”
The answer was almost inaudible. “We work in a restaurant. That day
also we told my sister living next door to look after the child. My
sister has not been seen after that day, My Lord.”
“You can take your infant now. Look after him carefully.”
The matron's eyes filled with tears as she handed over the baby.
Asilin hugged him tenderly. Simon gazed. The court sitting adjourned for
recess. Camera lights flashed.
The family was instantly surrounded by well-wishers. |
