This was a side attraction at the Penang Food Carnival during the weekend. Someone dressed up and posed as a statue outside the Penang indoor stadium. This wasn't an official event at the carnival; rather, an inspired performance by an unknown. Trouble was, very few people took any notice of him. He just sat there quietly and motionless, waiting for people to pass by and put a ringgit or two into his basket. THEN, he would move momentarily to acknowledge his thanks. That was all.
During the periods that he was motionless, I was thinking what would happen if he had that itchy feeling. You know, the itch that wouldn't go away unless it was scratched. Scratched real bad, that is. Would he have moved to scratch if the itch was bad? I was reminded of this old song by swamp rock virtuoso, Tony Joe White, from his Polk Salad Anne album. Originally written by bluesman James Moore (aka Slim Harpo) in 1966, it was also covered by other singers who found novelty in the song.
Here's how the lyrics go:I'm itchyThe problem is, you cannot fully appreciate the song unless you hear it. You really have to hear it sung the Tony Joe White way.
And I don't know where to scratch
Now come here baby
Scratch my back
I know you can do it
So baby get on to it
Anyway, back to the motionless man at the Penang food carnival. Here is a short video that I had uploaded to YouTube. Marvellous, don't you think so? He had his day, the attention of a captive crowd and the rewards when the sky opened up and the rain came:
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