De Breede en De Smalle Weg

^{Copyright © 2026 Illustration by Wilhelm Laufs}

Have you ever experienced a moral dilemma?

I recently watch Hawerland, a song and music video by Pellie Brink/Hardeveld Orkes. In the video “Adolf,” one of the main characters, has chosen sleep over work. He is enjoying a fantastic midday snooze in the veldt using a “Papsak” a.k.a. “Flatbag” a.k.a. A Silver Boxless Five Liter Bag of Wine, as cushion.

What do you think? Is it good or bad to sleep while you should be working? Would you say a Papsak makes a good cushion? Please comment down below.

Their video culminates in a dance masterclass next to a dam. Now I have waltzed in a ballrooms of Kazakhstan, I have Boere Sokkie-ed to the music of Jon Lennon for the Chinese Communist Party, and I have also “Shot Makoue”/Muscovy Ducks at a couple of weddings. So, I have decent experience and can pass judgement from an elevated postion of authority… It would be best to summarize my opinion in one sentence, otherwise I may continue writing forever:

Twelve and a halve out of ten, demonstrating high technical proficiency, accuracy and rhythm the world has never seen before.

Their video made me think of a painting called “De Breede en De Smalle Weg” (The Wide and The Narrow Road) designed by Charlotte Reihlen and painted by Paul Beckmann. It illustrates how many choose the easy wide road that lead to doom, whereas few choose the more difficult narrow road leading to paradise. It is clear to me Adolf choose the wide road when he opted for Papsak and a midday snooze over doing his work.

There has been many times I have resolved to walk the narrow road. Sometimes I have stayed on it diligently through self discipline and perseverance. However, I have also reverted back to the wide road many times. Then I have to start all over again, right back at the start. But I keep on trying.

Passion and desire are such powerful forces. Especially when you combine them with alcohol. Then you have zero control, just ask Adolf, it is a recipe for disaster. That’s why it’s best to drink in moderation or not to drink at all. Then it’s much easier to walk the narrow road.

In conclusion, considering the Devil, Jan van Hunks, and their pipe smoking competition in Cape Town:

Unfortunately, there are rumors Jan has been completely defeated by the Devil. So, please people, be very careful and cautious when heading to Cape Town.

If possible, consider taking the R101 instead of the N1…

Massive thanks to Pellie Brink/Hardeveld Orkes. Their video provided me with a lot of joy. It is awesome. You can watch it here. I have also done my own punk version of Hawerland. Of course there is no way I can do it justice, but it I love playing it. Let me know what you think. You can watch it here.

Buy the T-shirt here.

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Thanks for reading.