The Editor, Sir:

Void of notes, the doodler left much for speculation. Sometimes even the doodler might find it difficult to decode his/her doodles. Influencing factors would include the source of inspiration and how serious the situation making way for doodling which has taken place.

However, in interpreting doodles, the lead question has to do with the state of the mind that had inspired the creation of the particular sketches.

Obviously, the disclosure of the Trafigura issue had been a source of embarrassment and pressure to the Prime Minister. She arrived in Parliament late for a debate that many would have considered crucial - a no-confidence motion against her administration. It was a foregone conclusion that the Government would be using its parliamentary majority to defeat the motion. The motion, therefore, did not pose much threat, resulting in a serious matter being taken lightly. The mind turns to doodling as a matter of 'killing time'.

Possible tales of the four images

1) There is a pair of drinking vessels - a water jug and a drinking glass. The PM would have likely had such utensils in her office. As she sits in Parliament, her mind wanders to her office. It might have been on a matter of precautionary measures or whether an intended delegation of a task had been made before leaving for the debate. The drinking utensils depict preoccupation with office environment.

2) A close-up observation of the facial features of the human imagery exude traits of a male Caucasian. He is bewildered and terrified. Curiously, one of the insteps is turned inward. The other instep is not visible but the standing posture would suggest that it is also likely to be turned inward. The stance is indicative of uneasiness, discomfort, stress, restraint, incarceration. This character depicts a reflection on the detained Trafigura officials (who had earlier made a courtesy call on the PM) by the authorities of the Côte d'Ivoire.

3) Was the intention to sketch a triangle? The position of the pencil suggests that the sketch is incomplete.Work was in progress. Had the camera man delayed the shot for a few seconds, we would likely be looking at the roof of a small house epitomising the PM's preoccupation with the poor.

I am, etc.,

L. RUSSELL

Ensom City

St. Catherine