Fraternity-Testvériség, 1963 (40. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1963-04-01 / 4. szám
8 FRATERNITY The sudden departure from home, the new environment, the flora and fauna of the prairie, his everyday duties in tending the herd, all made a strong impression on Alexander Finta’s character and gave further impulse to the development of his artistic tendencies. Living among the taciturn and contemplative herdsmen, the child absorbed their knowledge of nature, astrology and healing. He became familiar with their tales and superstitions, which he was often able to explain. On one occasion, for instance, a herdsman unearthed the upright skeleton of a horse in a mound from which lie believed he had heard neighing sounds. When he returned a few hours later with the other herdsmen, the skeleton was missing. Immediately they were certain that it had been one of the legendary ghost horses which roam the prairies and stamp to death anyone who crosses their path. Having heard about the burial customs of the ancient Huns, Finta explained that the mound was the grave of some chieftain, and that the bones of the horse had probably been carried off by dogs or wild animals.10 The Ecseg prairie is a natural breeding ground for wild birds. Finta spent hours watching them; later, as an artist, he well remembered what he had learned. When Dr. Otto Hermann, the famous ornithologist, visited Ecseg, he was amazed at young Finta’s vast knowledge of wildlife, especially when the boy showed the collection of birds and animals he had prepared and mounted. Hermann recognized the genius in Finta and promised to obtain a scholarship for him. It was the start of a great friendship between an aged scientist and a young boy, to whose life it brought an enormous change.11 10 Ibid., pp. 47-48. 11 Finta, op. cit., p. 97. (To be continued)
