The  Hari Putar Dialogues - 1

(The Tribune, Paris, April 7
Security officials extinguished the Olympic torch today on the Paris leg of its journey, disrupted by protesters against China's crackdown on Tibet.)

Putar: The Tribune headlines today said that the Olympic torch was extinguished in Paris.

Hari: That's right, Putar. 

Putar: Did a protestor blow on it and extinguish it?

Hari: No, that's not what happened.

Putar: But they would have wanted to do that.

Hari: Yes, Putar.

Putar: What happened then?

Hari: They said it was a technical fault.

Putar: That's what they say when there is a power cut here.

Hari: It wasn't that kind of a technical fault.

Putar: Hmmn. But the protestors got what they wanted?

Hari: That's true, Putar.

Putar: Tell me something Papaji?

Hari: Bol, Putar?

Putar: The Olympics is supposed to be about sportsmanship, isn't it?

Hari: That's right, Putar.

Putar: So the Tibetans want the Chinese to be a good sport'

Hari: Yes, Putar.

Putar: And give them their freedom.

Hari: Yes, Putar.

Putar: Do you think that's likely?

Hari: I don't think so, Putar.

Putar: What about the Burmese monks?

Hari: What about them, Putar?

Putar: Is anyone trying to light a torch for them?

Hari: I don't know, Putar