My Grandfather Mark

(Darba F’Għalqa n-Nannu Mark Sab Teżor)

My grandfather had the gift of being a great storyteller. All throughout his life he told me many stories which were true and inspired from real life events. At the age of eight years old he went through a traumatic event as he lost his grandmother, two aunties and his mother who was only forty three. Consequently, he was brought up by his father.

My grandfather would spend a lot of time exploring the outdoors and he enjoyed looking for bird nests. On one occasion , very close by to St Thomas’ Bay under a tree he found a hidden treasure, a sack full of money and gold. He took this back home to his father who immediately told him to place the sack back where he had found it as it was not his. This event greatly impressed my grandfather and he mentioned it many times throughout his life. His father was a morally grounded and sound man. He certainly rubbed off on my grandfather who was never corrupted by money or power and chose to live his life being observant, loving and humble.

The title of this illustration is a play on the song ‘Sibt Teżor’ which depicts the moment that he found the treasure on that sunny day. It is also the song which was played at his funeral. He is most fondly remembered and never forgotten because he represented more than a grandfather but embodied a father to me. (2/01/2021)