Gossip, as the saying went, overflowed like the river, leaving people stranded in its wake. This time, the villagers didn't even bother to whisper. 

"No! Stupid Samuel standing." 

"No! He scratching." 

"Himself?" 

"No! Mona." 

"Oh, naked half, I see." 

"No, remember, whole." 

"What Stupid Samuel say?" 

"Nada." 

"He said, Nada?" 

"No! He said nada." 

"What Mona say?" 

"She say nothin' too." 

"Then, how far he go?" 

"Todo." 

Stupid Samuel soon felt he was special enough to merit exceptional attention. He might as well accept the fact that he was a big kahuna — so big despite his pygmy size, that the natives hastily found a government for his sake. While they had not yet decided on what kind of political institution it would be, they called it Gobierno ni Cristo. 

Inside a tent, near the large mango tree, many arrived to get a sense of the present atmosphere. Villagers swung left if the elders told them to swing left. They leaned right if righteousness was the way to go. They'd be at the center if centrality prevailed. They also heard these words summed up from the public meeting: 

Gobernador  (self-elected): Because of the gravity of the situation, we, the people of this village, convene to reflect upon the actions of a certain ten-year-old pygmy. We call upon one whose name is Stupid Samuel.

Gobernador  (continued): We think he has gone too far. He had gone todo — all the way — to disgrace this barrio. He makes us question ourselves: What has this world come to? Although we may not possess the answer, nor ever will, we need to know what to do. Shall we crucify him? 

The Massa: Crucify him! Crucify him! 

Gobernador: Louder! Louder! 

The Massa: Crucify him! Crucify him! 

Gobernador: To protect this barrio's innocence, we must determine his fate. All in favour, raise your hands! 

The Massa: Raise your hands! 

Gobernador: People against, raise your hands! 

The Massa: Raise your hands! 

Gobernador: Stupid Samuel, what do you say to this? 

Stupid Samuel: Raise my hand! 

Gobernador: So we've decided that you shall be crucified. But, since I am very religious as I am also the Priest, and I am afraid of you visiting me when you are dead, and Dios striking me when I'm asleep, I, the honourable Gobernador, will just banish you, Stupid Samuel, from the barrio indefinitely. Do you agree? 

Stupid Samuel: No se.

Gobernador: Because you don't know, you can only return to this village if we decide to call you back. ¿Entiendes? You get my meaning? 

Stupid Samuel: Si! I get. 

Gobernador: Do you want to say anything else before you leave? 

Stupid Samuel: No!  I go as I come. 

Outside, the kids sang: 

    Fly, birdie, fly. 

    Up, up to the sky.