Buzzati’s Restless Nights Part 1 of 5: The Colomber
December 15, 2009 by dr. lam
Dino Buzzati was an Italian painter*, poet, fiction writer, and journalist who spun fascinating short stories that were parables of the human condition. In this blog series we will recount shortened version of his already short stories and delve into some lessons that I culled from them.
The story, “The Colomber”, tells the tale of a young 12-year-old boy, Stefano Roi, who for his birthday is taken on his father’s boat out to sea. During this trip, the boy sees this mysterious shark following the boat the entire time. He asks his father what this animal is doing following them. His father alarmed explains that this shark is known as the Colomber and will follow a person until the shark eats him and further that this shark was a bad omen for the ship.
So the father brought the son back onto dry land and forbade him from ever riding on his ship again. The son would on occasion go to the shore and see again the Colomber dancing back and forth across the waves. When his father died, the son decided to go forth on the boat again and take over his father’s position. Every time he ventured out, he saw the Colomber chasing the boat. Stefano spent very little time at home but was constantly at sea. Finally, at the end of his life, he slows the boat down to confront the shark. The colomber approaches and announces that he has spent his whole life trying to give Stefano a magical pearl but could not get close enough to give it to him.
The lesson of the story is sometimes we run away from what we think is bad for us when in fact it could be the most blessed thing we could ever imagine. This week ask yourself what are you running away from and is the Colomber actually something that you need in your life but you just don’t realize it yet.
*The illustrations in this blog series are all made by Dino Buzzati. Some were intended to illustrate the story line (like this one) but others I tried to match the closest illustration to the intention and flavor of the story.
Comments
8 Responses to “Buzzati’s Restless Nights Part 1 of 5: The Colomber”
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You read such great stuff. Awesome, awesome blog. Off to find this book…
Thanks.
i had to buy it on Amazon at an increased price because it is out of print. i think i paid 30 bucks for a used copy. you might be luckier than i. all the stories are great!
You bought HC for appr. $30? (for reference) Nothing on Kindle yet, but this looks like one to own in HC.
Thanks.
no, i bought a used paperback for 30. lol. you will probably find a better deal because on the cover of my book is a sticker that says “$7″. i really got scammed!
Fun! This will be a fun series!!! Love this story because it has great wisdom.
I particularly think of how I used to think that forcing things instead of allowing was the answer, but my stubbornness to accept other ways of thinking was causing me to hit a wall…lol Now I am much more open to other ways of thinking too a degree. At least I am open to seeing other sides. Great blog, Dr. Lam!!!
Love your pictures you choose, Dr. Lam! Creative, Doc!!!
Nord, whatever happened to your new gravatar? This one is nice though.
Dr. Lam, you’re really funny! lol
I’m getting tired of surfing Santa!
thanks heather!!! GN
GN too!