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| ASTERIX & FOLKS |
Unlike children, who are few in the Gaulish village, we meet many interesting old folks in the Asterix stories. Among them, Getafix and Geriatrix are definitely our favorite patriarchs. But other old people are seen in the many adventures, all as delightful. They all have one thing in common: they are in great shape, which is extraordinary for their age.  Geriatrix is the oldest person in the village. He was at Gergovia, in 52 BC, and never misses a chance to remind people of it: he participated, together with Vercingetorix, in the victorious siege against Caesar. Since that time he has remained very patriotic, although sometimes a bit too much: "I don't mind foreigners when they stay in their own parts," he says when the innkeeper Orthopaedix arrives in the village.  His buxom young wife calls him Geriatrix, my love, and has him wrapped around her little finger: she even has him washing dishes (Asterix and the Roman Agent). A bit later, he knocks out a dozen Romans with a huge club. This old man isn't senile at all!  Getafix the druid is the religious pillar of the village. In addition to the magic potion, he knows lots of other recipes. A great healer, he always carries a golden sickle to pick mistletoe. He is also the intermediary between the Gauls and their gods. "By Toutatis!", he cries out, all the time.  Getafix is not at all a decrepit old man: this can be seen when he pummels Ekonomikrisis, the fat Phoenician merchant, bouncing him off the ground four times (Asterix and the Black Gold). Ekonomikrisis had forgotten to bring rock oil, one of the essential ingredients for the magic potion. Getafix is so upset that he has a heart attack. Fortunately, he's back on his feet a few seconds later.  Getafix is very popular, but he is not the only druid. In Asterix and the Goths, the druid of the year contest allows us to meet some surprising old men. Valuaddetax, for example, can transform human speech into braying. Botanix sprinkles a few drops of a potion on the ground and magnificent flowers grow instantly. Prefix throws a pinch of powder in the air and makes it rain. Amazing, but true! Other druids make potions that eliminate pain, but none are as good as Getafix's, which gives superhuman strength. He wins the contest.  Among the many old people we see, let's not forget Watziznehm the fakir! This old man, with his goatee, suntanned skin and little canes, appears in the Gaulish village on a flying carpet. This is a strange way to travel, but levitation is his specialty. He has flown for 20 days from India, making this long journey to find Cacofonix, who, with nothing more than his voice, can save India from a drought.  Among the many old people we see, let's not forget Watziznehm the fakir! This old man, with his goatee, suntanned skin and little canes, appears in the Gaulish village on a flying carpet. This is a strange way to travel, but levitation is his specialty. He has flown for 20 days from India, making this long journey to find Cacofonix, who, with nothing more than his voice, can save India from a drought.   Ah, our old people are quite friendly... and no one is afraid of them dying: Getafix, Asterix and Obelix discovered this in Atlantis. "Over many centuries, Atlanteans learned, among other things, the secret of rejuvenation and eternal youth." (Asterix and Obelix All at Sea). So, if they want, the fountain of youth can help them become young once again.  |
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