CHAPTER 14: THE PORTRAIT

In the fifties and sixties, itinerant craftsmen and tradesmen used to peddle their wares from village to village. People welcomed them as those tradespeople also brought news of places they visited. I noticed that they usually would come around 3 to 4 in in the afternoons - the time when most people were relaxing at their verandas. Grandmother would welcomed them and served them coffee as they displayed their wares.

Most houses in those days had auspicious couplets pasted at both sides of the door frames. Above the door would be some large bold Chinese characters. By observing the Chinese characters, one would be able to tell which dialect group and which province the inhabitants come from. Thus on the door frame of our house were the character, "Si Ho", meaning Eastern River.

One day, an itinerant artist came. We were all lounging at the veranda as it was a very hot day. The man greeted grandmother. He then stopped and looked at the Chinese character, "Si Ho," he read aloud. "Oh, you people are from Tong San province - people of Jiao An dialect. I am also a Jioa An. We are people from the same province ( Ka Kee Lan)," Of course Grandmother was pleased to hear that. He was offered a steaming cup of coffee. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he then took out various portraits that he had drawn and showed them to grandmother. He then offered to draw a portrait of grandmother 'at a very special price - because we are ka kee lan i.e. we are from the same province. "

Grandmother : How much ?
The Artist       : Only 12 dollars - we are ka kee lan.
Grandmother : That's too expensive, Don't want-lah
The Artist       : Okay - for you very special. Don't tell others. I charge you 11 dollars
Grandmother : 8 dollars.
The Artist       : No-lah, I need to eat too, Support my family.
Grandmother : Don't want-lah 
The Artist       : I give you special. I put gold paint too.

Grandmother was adamant and so the price was haggled down to 10 dollars. The artist proceeded to make pencil sketch of grandmother. He then packed his board and easel and said he would be back the next day.

The next afternoon, he was back. We all crowded round him as he took out the portrait. He displayed the portrait with pride. " Here you are - a life like image of you." He told grandmother. Grandmother was aghast. "That's not me. I don't look like that !! I don't want it." The artist pleaded with her to take it. "Look I even  put gold paint on your earrings." Grandmother refused to budge. "No, you made my hair too thin. And my mouth doesn't droop like that. I look ugly." The artist was sweating, " You look very nice. Look, I even put some tiny designs on your blouse. Please take it."

Finally a special deal was made - 8 dollars. The portrait was proudly displayed in the dining room.

I remembered this episode very clearly as I was sorry for the poor artist. At the same time grandmother proved to be a formidable haggler. She was a strong-willed lady.