All symbol-suggestions are welcome

By Rypvanwinkle

"Thaaththa," Bindu Udagedera asked, "what is all this fuss about a party symbol for the Greens?""There is some talk that the Greens may change their symbol…" Bindu's father Percy said.

"Why is that, thaaththa?" Bindu wanted to know. "Why, now that the Greens have aligned themselves with Mangala, some people want to change the elephant symbol…" Percy explained.

"But thaaththa," Bindu protested, "they have used the elephant symbol for over fifty years and the people are so used to it…"
"There is no need to worry about that, Bindu," Percy said, "remember, the Blues changed their symbol from the hand to the chair first and then to the betel leaf and they won on both occasions…"

"So, what will be the new symbol of the Greens?" Bindu asked. "Well," Percy said, "I don't think they have decided on changing the symbol yet, but it is an idea that is being talked about…"

"Has anyone suggested what their new symbol should be?" Bindu queried. "I don't think so…" Percy said, "but you are free to make your suggestions…" "If they are thinking of choosing another animal," Bindu said, "I think the tortoise should be good…" Bindu suggested.

"Why is that?" Percy asked. "Why, thaaththa, Uncle Ranil has been moving slowly like a tortoise all these years and taking refuge in his shell at the slightest hint of trouble…" Bindu said. "That may be true," Percy agreed, "but that won’t suit Mangala…"

"Then maybe they should make the tiger their symbol…" Bindu proposed. "Why is that?" Percy asked, alarmed. "Why, thaaththa, Uncle Ranil was the one accused of doing a deal with the tigers and Uncle Mangala is the person who accused him…" Bindu said.
"But that will never work, Bindu…" Percy said, "people will not vote for a party with a tiger symbol…"

"Then how about the fox?" Bindu asked, "that would be more appropriate since both Uncle Ranil and Uncle Mangala are doing this because each thinks it is to their own advantage…" "But, Bindu, if you are thinking of taking the fox as a symbol, it might suit Mahinda maama more…" Percy advised, "and anyway, you don't always have to choose an animal as a symbol…"

"Then the most appropriate symbol for them is a knife…" Bindu said. "Why is that?" Percy was puzzled. "Why, thaaththa, both Uncle Ranil and Uncle Mangala were stabbed in the back by people who they helped to bring to the top, didn't they?" Bindu asked.

"That is true," Percy conceded, "but the knife is not a very pleasant symbol…" "Then maybe we can have the statue of King Parakramabahu as a symbol for them because Uncle Ranil keeps on talking about him…" Bindu declared.

"But Bindu," Percy pointed out, "Uncle Ranil has already lost an election trying to be King Parakramabahu and it won't suit Uncle Mangala anyway…" "Then, I think I know what the ideal symbol for them would be…" Bindu said.

"And what would that be?" Percy asked. "A bottle of soda…" Bindu said. "And how is that appropriate for Ranil and Mangala?" Percy inquired.

"Why, it gives out a lot of noise and hot air when it opens, but then finally, there is nothing in it and it fizzles out quietly…" Percy silently wondered whether that might, after all, be an appropriate symbol.