I have been reading the Guardian Weekly since I discovered it in the last century. You may ask how? One day an Englishman brought a copy to the tiny island in the Caribbean where I live. And he kindly gave it to me. I saw that it mentioned many countries and all sorts of robust things going on in the world.
Since then I have bought the newspaper hoping to find a reference to my country, which has since become politically independent and so more important with our own parliament, flag and national anthem. But there is never a mention. I always buy it. Every week. Hunting for a mention. Hunt, hunt, hunt. International news, Finance, Books, Review. And don’t even mention Culture. I mean, not even in Diversions, give us a break. Nothing.
After my fruitless search through the newspaper I use it for various purposes. The older, more waterproof ones I would divide into two sections. One half was excellent for stopping the creaking of the harness of my bullock cart as I took my produce to market. I grow a lot of ground provisions like yams, sweet potatoes and so forth. The rest I kept under the seat of the cart in case of rain. I must say that the new paper is not as good for these purposes.
Since there is never any mention of my island I am beginning to wonder if this place really exists. If you publish this then I will be able to stop my search, but then your market in this part of the world will shrink by one. Oh well, what to do? Perhaps next week.
Editor’s note: Philip is searching for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Job done!
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