We Are Not a Road, We Are a Country!
Although the events occured in September, the news had not reached back the capital of choice until early 1837. Our lone division had arrived in Java, to supress the rebels, and to our surprise, we were defeated. By early November, when fruit for fruit-galore is slim, our division advanced foward. This time we were not surprised, they were defeated.
The king, whoever he is, was furious at the news of the defeat and ordered the construction of new railroads. And I said to him: "Why should we expand our infastructure? We invite more than friend!" And the king replied to me.
"An enemy is a friend of somebody." And his wisdom confused me.
A peculiar event occured in mid April, when there was a new man in town who proclaimed he could cure aches of the belly. "Waffles and syrup become a shame when pancakes are so light!" He exclaimed to me once. "And syrup is blood," I once replied. Driven to depression we cried, how dare he!
Again new reached us of our lone division, supplies were running low; the Javans had stolen their waffles and ate at the Village Inn. The division had suffered a defeat, but expect this did we? Yes.
And again in the year, more news reached us from Java. A bill of shame and horror, defeat again they had suffered! And again the king, proclaimed we shall unite and stand behind the hardship of our brothers. And again we built railroads!
And I said to my friends: "A spike driven into ground is one less for the coffin."
And they reply back to me: "Brother Jacobs, the madness never ceases! Realize please, we strive upon our work!"
Then I reply: "Better roads we build, better threats we create! We are country, not a road!"
Silence then reigns and they walk away.
(End of 1837)