Kaung Thant a Garden on a Far-Flung Peak

Kaunn· T·hant--~- ~ --~ --- ;;.o>--- ~ AGar~n on aFar -Flung Peak ~tee£ by Nyi Nyi Pe ( BKK >

PROFILE OF KAUNG THANT Born on 21 March,1950. He received B. Ed. Degree from the Institute ofEducation (Yangon) in1973 . His professions were Senior Assistant Teacher ( 1974-1983), Middle school Headmaster (1983-86), and Assistant Lecturer in English Department ofYankin College (1988- 1993). He resigned from government service in 1993 and became the Editor-in-Chief of\"The Light of English\" magazine in 1996. In I998, he established the Kaung Thant Publishing House and has been publishing ' The Best English Magazine'', the Politics Journal, Wisdom English Magazine, Learning English for Children and other books. As a freelance writer, he has written 95 books up to now. His novel named \"Eain met Ah Lwan\" won the National Literary Award in 1999. Among his books, Thameelay Phat Pho ( For the Young Little daughter to Read) series is the most popular. Books written by Kaung Thant I. Novels 10 2. Translations from English language 15 3. Inspirational Words for Youth 47 4. Others 23 Total 95 e-mail kthant 2005 @gmail.com Tel : +959 516 4943, + ~

r--J\"i\"I.. t-JY.I i?G o(_ TR_A T\\l$ LA-'LDR ( Digital Press Assumption University 88 M.8 Bang Na-Trad km.26 Bang Sao Tong Samut Prakarn 10540

A Garden on a Far-Flung Peak Published by Kaung Thant Publishing House 209, 1st Floor, 381h Street (Upper Block) Kyauktadar Township, Yangon, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar. ISBN. 978-99971-0-074-0 Copyright@2013 by Kaung Thant Cover Design by Maung Nay Kyi All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or any means, electronic O_!' mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher. Revised Edition; (June 2014)

Kaung Thant A Garden on a Far-Flung Peak Translated by NYI NYI PE (BKK)

CONTENTS Page 1. Anywhere 6 2. Really Touching 12 3. From Sabawngpi to Laitui 18 4. Cross the River, Climb the Moutain 27 5. An Old House with Two Ghosts 33 6. Two Pieces of Firewood To a new teacher 39 7. Introducing A new Headmaster 46 8. School without Water Pots or Mugs 53 9. Teach for Understanding 60 10. Cooking Rice Pot, Smoking a lot 68 11. Benefit Gained from Teacher 74 12. Four Houses and the School Flag Post 80 13. School Cabbage Plantation and Cattle 88 14. Let these Young Persons be Happy 94 15. Dejected, Disappointed ,Depressed Sunday 101 16. Individual Hygiene

17. Unforgetable Poem Pa- Dauk Pan 107 18. Operation Candle Light 114 19. Zozan Garden 120 20. Dancing Sounds of the Drum 127 21. W.C. Project 135 22. School Sport 143 23. Sport Championship Shield 152 24. Boarding School Group Study 159 25. A Shield Decorated with Tin 165 and Award Giving Ceremony 176 26. Multi-Religious Groups' Prayers 27. Be Happy at The School that will 183 189 Make You Good at Studying 196 28. Excursion to Ideal School 203 29. The Happiest Evening 211 30. I, A Gardener of Human Beings 31. Blossoming Flowers

MY ONE AND ONLY GARDEN Once I used to have a garden on a far-flung peak. As a gardener I took good care of the garden for it to become a beautiful one. Before the flowers I had grown had not yet blossomed fully and beautifully, I had to leave that garden. It was so many years ago. Oh, it has been more than 20 years.! I couldn't forget my garden. Up to now still remember it. I miss my garden a lot. I started writing this novel with the title, \"A Garden on a Far-flung Peak\" in June 2008, the month the new academic year resumes and schools open when I miss my garden with all my heart. A teacher's benevolent and devoted heart and, sentimental and pleasurable suffering are expressed in a figurative language. To highlight the devoted job of a teacher, in order to pass the information regarding the true nature of teacher to the generations to come, a lot of effort was made in composing this novel.

To expose the tasks carried out than the nostalgic feeling, the prose was written in a pure figurative language. After reading this book, if there is no sentimental feeling, please forgive me. As for me I still have sentimental feeling for my garden. I would like to know more about it now. With a devoted teacher's heart, I still am missing it. If any chance occurs, I would like to visit that garden on a far-flung peak again. I would be very happy and it would be worth putting much effort in writing this novel if it could fulfill its main intention of giving guidance or eliciting the youth of younger generation who wish to become teachers. With love, Kaung Thant

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My heartfelt thanks go to the original author of this book, Kaung Thant, without whose encouragement the translation of this book would never have become a reality. As this is my first effort, there might be unexpected shortcomings in converting the literary meaning of the original text into a foreign language with entirely unrelated linguistic origins. Anyway, the translator invested tireless efforts so as not to lose any literary essence of the original text while translating it into English. Since the natures of the two languages are different, there might be small areas where the translation task could not fully cover the original meaning, especially the poems. If this is the case, I accept full responsibility for these weaknesses. In fact I like the subject of this book and almost immediately after I began reading it, I yearned for the opportunity to translate it into English. As I myself am a teacher, I understand the difficulties of the author, Kaung Thant, while performing his duty as a headmaster of a State Middle School in the Chin State in Myanmar with very limited facilities in the early 1980s. Under such difficult cir~umstances, he tried to create a very nice atmosphere at that school and even tried to develop it to become an outstanding institution. I also appreciate his duty consciousness and benevolent dedication towards his students in the hilly region. The love and respect he gained from his students and their parents was quite evident in some parts of the book. The very active nature of the author in his youth as well as his personal feelings as a human being was also obvious from the narrative.

I truly feel like he has successfully cultivated a very beautiful garden on a far-flung peak with flowers in different colors. To honor his dedication towards his job, I tried my best translating this book so that those from the other parts of the world would see how a person with the true spirit of a teacher tried his best to achieve what he wanted although he had to endure through seemingly endless adversity. Thanks are owed to Daw Jennifer Aung and Ko Kyaw Ko Ko who have done the editing for the first edition. My heartfelt thanks also go to Daw Yee May Kaung who has painstakingly done the editing for the revised edition. NYINYIPE · (Senior Lecturer, Assumption University of Thailand)

<<At that time, I was only at the age of31 and definitely looked like a very active fighting cock>>

CHAPTER I ANYWHERE My fate usually changed every three year. I started working as a Senior Assistant Teacher at the State High School Htandabin (Bago Division) in 1974. Then, in 1977 I was transferred to State High School (Pyundazar). In 1980, I was transferred again to NO. (1) State Hig School Hmawbe. When I was at No.( 1) S.H.S. Hmawbi, I started feeling bored with teaching. Some of my friends had already applied for the position of headmaster of Middle School without mentioning any particular places. In other words they applied for the position anywhere in the country. I was also in that mood. I noticed myself that I really got bored of serving under other person's management. I myself would like to handle the management. At that time I was only at the age of 31 and definitely looked like a very active fighting cock. I dreamed of managing a Middle School by myself so that it would become an ideal school. To be honest, I wanted to show off or prove creativity, imaginations and initiation of youth. I was so active and so eager to do something special. Aren't there any opportunities to show one's own ability as a Senior Assistant Teacher?

Yes, of course, there are. But if sometimes, supposing to come across with a passive headmaster, the active cock felt lonely without any energy. . However, with a lion's sprit, I tried to prove the ability, which was seen as under par. It reached nowhere. I felt like I had lack of authority to carry out whatever good plan or idea I had. Even sometimes a proposal might not be approved. If the headmaster understood my initiative opinion, it would not have been a problem. If there had been a misunderstanding, it would have been put under tight control. There was no chance to prove own creativity. So, what should I do? Should I go to a forum to reveal my wish? In those days I might be overactive and a youth who wanted to introduce every possible change. Without noticing the genuine situation or any limitations, I only want to fulfill one's own wish. When the layer of patience becomes thinner and thinner, the wish to become a headmaster was also getting greater and greater. Driven by a heroic mood, wish to serve society and having over confidence, I didn't consider my family's situation and applied for the position of a headmaster anywhere. At that time, I had an eight year old son and a year old daughter. At home there was no other relative except a younger sister who helped with taking care of Mya Wit Yee, my daughter and also studied at an evening program at a high school. 2

If I left my family (of only four people), would it be a bit depressing for my son and daughter? I didn't consider any pros and cons. I wanted to become a Head Master. That's all I knew. 1 have a habit, which can be seen as a stubborn one, that is, whatever I am determined to do, I will never retrace my steps and will try to go ahead until I can grab the desired success. Not only did I submit my application, but I also tried to see those at the glass_ ceiling. I explained what I wanted to do. I even guaranteed that I would go anywhere in the country if I was granted that position. These made the Directors at Basic Education Department pleased. They had been looking for those who would go anywhere in the country. In those days, senior teachers who were well- experienced with several years of service did not want to take the position in a far flung area as they had family commitments. Generally, those teachers with many years of service were unable to accept promotion against their wish. They had difficulties leaving their family members; some might even have elderly parents or very young children of school- going age. Thus they could not take the positions available in such far-flung areas. It is impossible to put the blame on them as they had their own difficulties. 3

Those who proposed willingly to go to such far-flung areas like I myself were offered the promotion. It was good for the nation and I was as happy as an active fighting cock. Within a month of submitting application, the promotion orders were issued. I was promoted to be Headmaster at Sabawngpi, State Middle School in Matupi Township, Chin State. Holding the order in hand, I felt on top of the world. I was very pleased to make my own dream come true. But I did not know how to get there. No one around me had ever heard of such a name, Sabawngpi. What I knew was it was situated in Matupi Township. That was all. I might be the only one who got a promotion to a head master and didn't know how to get to his school. 4

<< My two year- old daughter, Mya Witt Yee hugged me tightly and kissed me wholeheartedly. \"Phay Phay (Daddy) will you go very far? You go there to buy snacks for me? Come back quickly. I love you so much, Phay Phay. So ooo ooo much. \" My daughter's lovely chatter was really touching. I had a very heavy heart to leave such a lovely daughter and go to a f ar-flunbg area>> 5

c·HAPTER.::Two REALLY TOUCHING As I didn't have any knowledge about how to get to the place, I went to the Basic Education Department again. No staff there had any idea of its whereabouts. Many said they had never been to the Chin State. I was certain that the Director who issued the order might know how to go there. I also wanted to express words of thank to him and I tried to see him. Fortunately there were no other guests in the room. It was only after 10 a.m. The Director gave me briefing especially to take good care of my health. The way he talked to me was definitely like a father giving a lecture to his own son. I replied that a debt of thanks was owed to him and then admitted I didn't have any knowledge about the way to get to that place. He told me to go to Haka first and then see the State Education Officer and asked for his guidance~ on how to go to Sabawnpi. At that time, fortune favoured me as the Education Officer of the Chin State entered the room. \"Oh you're a very lucky guy. This is the Chin State Education Officer, U Aung Khant\" introduced the Director. 'U Aung Khant, this person is a newly promoted Middle Head for Chin State, U Khin Maung Kywe. He was asking me how 6

to get to Sabawngpi in Matupi Township. Could you please bring him on your way back to Chin State?\" \"Yes, I will.\" \"Alright, now please go outside and wait for U Aung Khant to make any other queries you may have.\" l was really pleased. After politely saying good-bye to the two elderly persons, l went out of the room. I was crazy to take on the duties and responsibility of a Headmaster. As a headmaster I would systematically run the office. School discipline is the most important thing, because without discipline, there will be no progress. The major issue for the teaching staff is to follow discipline. For the students, l want them to be happy at school and to study lessons well Oh I'll run a library for my school. I didn't even know where the school was situated. The would- be headmaster tried to shape the school in his daydream. l was like a chef who hasn't yet cooked anything but is somewhat worried about the taste. Anyhow, I had to cook in the near future. I smiled at myself. But not for a long time as U Aung Khant left the room. He told me the departure date and if he might not leave on that day I had to wait for him at a town, Kalay and then we both would travel together up the mountains. I went back to Hmawbi and started packing. l packed my books as I thought they might be rare items in Chin State. I went to Yangon to buy the air ticket and also bought a book on 7

Rules and Regulations for a Government Staff. As I put more books than clothing into my luggage, it was heavy. I was ready for the journey to Chin State with a sleeping bag and a hand luggage. When I was about to go, I was really feeling upset not looking like an active fighting cock. My two year- old daughter Mya Wit Yee hugged me tightly and kissed me heartedly. \"Phay Phay (Daddy) will you go very far? You go there to buy snacks for me? Come back quickly. I love you so much, Phay Phay. (So o o o much!)\" My daughter's lovely chatter was really touching. I had a very heavy heart to leave such a lovely daughter and go to a far- flung area. Without saying anything, my eldest son, Htet fltet stared at me with blinking eyes. Their looks made my step delay. But I had to force myself to go. When they grow older, it would be better to take care of them or nurture them with my higher position as a Township Education Officer. Every victory needs its own risk and sacrifice. Without taking risk and sacrifice, there will be no triumph. No pain, no gain. 8

- I believed that if I could take a risk when young, at old age I might be able to take a retirement with an honourable position. With that concept, I successfully left my beloved children. I didn't know whether my decision was right or wrong. I took a plane to Chin State. This was the first time for me travelling by plane and feeling a bit frighten. On a high altitude, I started suffering from temporary deafness. All I heard was somewhat like loud noises. I left Yangon at 6 a.m and got to Kalay at 8a.m. I didn't see U Aung Khant at the airport. He might not have been able to travel. That's why he had asked me to wait for him from here in Kalay. I didn't know where to go. I had no friends here. I just got out of the airport. At that time a trishaw taxi driver approached me and asked me where I wanted to go. I told him to take me to the nearest guest house. He took me to \"Taung Za Latt\" guest house situated opposite to the airport. After leaving all my language at the guest house, I went outside just to observe the environment. I wandered like a cloud in a town where I didn't have any friends. After making a few queries, I gained a little knowledge about the route to Hakka. I could take a bus direct to Hakka from Kalay. On the way to Hakka, the bus would pass through another town called Falam. On the way to Hakka there is a village, called Thaingei from where there is a route leading to Tiddim. 9

I needed to get to Hakka, the capital city of Chin State. I needed to make a duty report there and then had to leave for Sabawngpi in Matupi Township. Even in Kalay, nobody knew the whereabouts of Sabawngpi. Some said that it would be better to go to Matupee from Pakkhouku as it is situated in the southern Chin State. Whatever they said I had to wait for U Aung Khant, the Education Officer for Chin State. Tomorrow he would come and I needed to go to the airport to welcome him. I was very anxious at the guest house. I didn't have a sound sleep that night as I was excited and worried. I was looking forward to the arrival of the Chin State Education Officer. 10

<<The higher the elevation, the colder it was. If the car slipped and dived down, oh my God, I thought of the terrible disaster and startedfeeling worried. Noticing my worried facial expression, U Aung Khant, the SEO, told me not to worry. Now we were on the way and I shouldn't think about any miserable things. \"All the roads on the mountain range are the same like this. If the car went down\" he said, \"don't think about anything but believe that we'll get to heaven\">> 11

CHAPTER'3 FROM SABAWNGPI TO LAITUI State Education Officer (S.E.O.) arrived with the next day's flight. I went to the airport and welcomed him . He also recognized me. We went to Hakka with S.E.O. 'scar. Just outside the town Kalay, the car was driven up to the mountain range. The next stop was Thaingei, a small village for a stopover between the towns in Chin State. From this village you could go to Teddim. The other way is to go to Hakka through Falam. The road wound around the mountain was very narrow. It's also built like U shaped in a zigzag pattern. The road was not wide enough for even two cars to pass .So in some places wide areas were reserved for two cars to pass each other. There were many curves all the way climbing up the high mountains. At a curve I could see the route down below like a small flowing stream. - The higher the elevation, the colder it was. If the car slipped and dove down, \"oh my god\", I thought of the terrible disaster and started feeling worried. Noticing my worried facial expression, U Aung Khant, the S.E. 0. told me not to worry. Now we were on the way and I shouldn't think about any miserable things. All the roads on the mountain range are the same like this. If the car went down\", he said, \"don't think about anything but believe that we'll get to heaven. I myself at first was feeling afraid of the journey like you. Later, after 12

travelling so many times along these routes, I feel nothing and I am used to this situation\" I regain my courage after his encouraging words .Even after death I might get to the haven. With that belief I could keep myself calm. In the early hours of the dusk we got to Hakka. It was too cold for me when we got there. The environment was gloomy. Due to the darkness I could not see the natural beauty of the city. But I was sure that it would be very beautiful with all the pine trees all over the town. I had to put up at the S.E. 0. 's residence. I couldn't forget the hospitability of the S.E. 0. and his spouse. At his residence, another senior teacher from S.H.S. (I ) Hakka was also staying with the S.E.O.. He was Ko Mya Khaing. The next day the S.E. 0. took me to his office. He introduced me with the Branch Clerk who observed me carefully and found that this small, thin and short and fair-skinned Head master was pitiful. The Branch Clerk talked to the S.E.O. \"Well it is impossible to ask him to go to Sabawngpi, sir. I don't think he can make it. It is necessary to spend 15 days on the way. He needs to bring his own sleeping bag and food. He can't climb the high mountains. It is said that on the way there are wolves and foxes. Moreover, there are blood-sucking leeches just jumping onto the body and people need to bring along a pot of calcium carbonate as a preventive measure. If these leeches jump down on you, you need to apply calcium carbonate. Even for local people, it is a very difficult journey to get there. Later he'll come back to you and request for a transfer to somewhere else. Not good for us. You may feel 13

upset and busy for that, Sir. There is a vacancy in Teddim township. It might be better to assign him there, Laitui.\" \"What about the conditions, there in Laitui?\" the S.E.O. asked. \"Laitui is only 12 miles away from Teddim. Even people can make a return journey in a day. It's a big village with over 500 households. But the current exam results are not at all good\" After listening to what the Branch Clerk had said, the S.E. 0. thought for a while. And then he ordered, \"If so, give him another order. I'll take him by myself next month during my routine inspection trip.\" Due to the kind consideration and cooperation of the S.E.O. and the Branch Clerk, I didn't need to go to the very far-flung Sabawngpi. I was appointed as a Middle-school Headmaster at Laitui in Teddim Township. l owe a great debt of gratitude to U Aung Khant, the State Education Officer. The next month when he went to Teddim on his inspection trip, he took me there and left me with Salaing Htun Hlaing, the Township Education Officer (T.E.O.). I had to put up at the T.E.O. 's house. His family members were very welcoming. They belong to the Chin ethnic group residing in the areas of Thayet and Mindon Townships. They allowed me not only to put up at their residence but also provided me with the meals. At his residence, I came across one of my old friends who had studied at the same university in the B.Ed. degree course with me. He was Moe Swe from Myitchay. He had been there as a 14

middle school Headmaster of Zeinpee, a few year earlier than me. He led me to see the town. We visited a Burmese Buddhist monastery and introduced me to some other Burmese. Among the Head masters in this township, Moe Swe, U Toe Aung, the Head master S.H.S. Htote Hlaing and I myself were the only Burmese Headmasters. The three of us put up at the T.E.O. 's residence. In fact they already had 7 family members. Thus 10 persons including me shared in the small residence. The spouse of the T.E.O. was very warm and friendly lady. She cooked for all of us willingly and provided us with very delicious food. One thing I remember till now is that I abstain from eating beef and pork so she fried eggs for me. Chicken was very expensive in the mountain areas and needed to catch the chicken yourself and do the plucking and prepare to cook by yourself. So, for me vegetables, beans and fried eggs were the best food. I had to stay there for about one week. S.E. O.,U Aung Khant lett me inTeddim and went back to Hakka. When I first got to Teddim, it was the last week of June and it had been raining like cats and dogs. It was impossible to be able to see about l 0 feet ahead clearly. It was also gloomy during the rain. Even in that situation we looked around the town. Actually there were not very many places to visit. A tea shop in the town centre, a Buddhist monastery and Eekyar Video hall. The name of the owner was Eekyar and the video hall was named afl:er him. 15

High School head master, U Toe Aung had to wait to draw the salaries of the staff under his supervision and could not go back yet. My friend, Moe Swe also had the same plan. We, the three of us, without feeling bad, put up at the T.E. 0. 's residence. But the next day a junior assistant teacher from my school would come and pick me up. So I had to go with him. T.E.0. also reminded me to bring all necessary things with me. I waited for the next day. 16

<<Paying full attention to the way upwards, I tried to climb up. The upward journey took longer than the downward one. Knowing that needed to climb up 5,000 ft made me depressed. Not knowing this fact might have been better. In some cases lack of knowledge could be better. The more you know, the worse you may feel depressed .It would be better not to know everything in all cases.>> 17

CHAPTER:4 CROSS THE RIVER, CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN The next day before 7 a.m, the Junior Assistant Teacher arrived. His name was U Tuan Khaw Cin. He was thin, short bald headed, wearing glasses and with tan complexion. He and I myself looked much alike. The only difference was the complexion. I have a fair complexion and he was more or less brown. Along with him there was a porter who would bring my belongings. My belongings were not that many. A sleeping bag, a suitcase with my clothing and a bag with some rice and utensils. The porter took my things. I thought I needed to follow him. But Junior Assistant Teacher Tuan Khaw Cin told me not to do so. He informed that these items would be taken to my school. No need to worry about loss of belongings. It never happened here. Make payment when you get there. How much? One Kyat per viss( aboutl .63 kilogram) Would they weigh my belongings? Of course they would use a standard scale at the village. That was used by all po1iers. I needed to pay money on how heavy they were. 18

\"When shall we leave and what's the estimated time of arrival?\" \"After you have finished eating your meal, we should start. If you want to go by car, we need to go to the bus terminal. Jeeps come from Kalay and we have to wait for their atTival\". \"ls travelling by Jeep fine\" \"It's up to you Sayagyi (Headmaster). For me I like it but my pocket doesn't. My salary is not 500 Kyats . The ticket costs K 100. I can't affo_!\"d it. Those passengers are mostly traders who would go up to Kyan File, a place near the India border\" \"ls that safe going by jeep?\" \"Well, it's up to your courage. It'll be fine if the jeep didn't slip down. Usually a jeep carries 20 passengers and moves very slowly as going up the mountain. Due to engine failure and moving backward or any brake problem, it will surely dive down and there are no survivors in every accident. But the jeeps are running and the passengers are taking them\" With his lovely Chin accent, he explained. His explanation made me shiver. I was really afraid of traveling by car. It seemed to me that he didn't show any sign of worries or fright. If I could buy him the ticket, he would not mind going along with the jeep. 'How long will it take going on foot?\" \"Well, people from our village travel this distance one day round trip carrying necessary things from Teddim to Laitui. If 19

you walk slowly and take it easily it may take a little bit over 6 hours. Can you walk, Sayagyi? You have to use your own feet.\" I didn't know whether these words were just a joke or serious ones but it gave me a headache. According to what he said I decided not to take the jeep. even dared not think about taking a jeep with 20 passengers although its utmost capacity is 6 persons. Going up and down along the mountain range how come these jeeps with so many passengers have so much courage?\" As for me to follow Tuan's words I did not have enough courage to travel by jeep, I would just have to use my own feet. After eating fried eggs and rice prepared by the T.E.O. 's wife, I said good- bye to the T. E. O.'s family members and then paid respect traditionally to the T.E.O. and his wife. Then, I made an appointment with U Toe Maung, a High school headmaster and my friend, Moe Swe to meet OR the pay day. \"Hey pal, be careful. Listen to the music before you dance. Don't be too active. Situations are not the same as down there in the plains.\" Moe Swe warned me with a whisper. I simply nodded. I Waved hands to them and left. The time was 8 a.m. sharp. Teacher Tuan Khaw Cin was leading me. I wore trousers and a canvas shoes. I also wore a flat hat. Holding an umbrella in 20

one hand, I didn't think I looked like a teacher. I kept on going. I just crossed the town centre. I just got past the market. Everyone wore trousers. No one wore sarong. Nobody took notice of me as I was also wearing the same clothes as many others. No one would know that I was a Headmaster. Even so, who would care? A person could be useful and important in his field, not in every field. If someone wanted to be important in every field, it would be because some of his brain cells were dead. As I was lost in thought, Tuan got a little bit far ahead of me and I needed to speed up my pace. It was not at all easy to catch up with the steps of a local person. I walked with almost running strides. In a few minutes we got to the road to Laitui. Tuan pointed with his finger to the mountain range saying\"' Look, Sayagyi, beyond those mountains, covered with thick mist is our village, Laitui.\" Although I looked up the mountain range, I had no idea where Laitui was located. For me all mountains were the same. I missed something when I saw the mountain range covered with thick mist. I couldn't identify what I missed as I had a lot to miss. ''Sayagyi,Teddim is situated over 5,000 feet above sea level. Now we have to go down that much and get to Manipur River. We have to cross Mansuang bridge and then climb up again. 21

Altogether, we have to walk past nine mountains to get to our village.\" Because of what he said, I came back being from lost m thought. As I was going down my steps were rather fast. And I even took over teacher Tuan Khaw Cin. During my university years, I used to be a football player and was also a winner of short distance races like 100 and 200 meters. Because of these experiences, I thought I could walk. From the first year to the fourth year I was the short distance race champion of my university. But in final year I was busy preparing my disse1iation and unable to take part in sports, so I did not become a champion for five consecutive years. When I was a freshman I won the I00 meter race just competing neck to neck with the then current Champion Kyaw Ko Ko. I recalled the memory and smiled at myself. I even heard the claps and cheers of the girls from our class. Alas! recalling an old victory was a great pleasure! \"Sayagyi( Headmaster), if you walk at that speed, you may not be able to walk for a long time. Later you may be suffering from pain at your knees. Please walk. slowly and steadily, Sayagyi.\" After hearing the warning call from Tuan Khaw Cin, I realized why the one with the faster step was left behind me. 22

Just as I stopped the pleasurable thoughts, another thought appeared. As he said in going downward it is necessary to walk with slow and steady strides. Going downward is always fast. So I should be careful and balance myself. Otherwise, it would reach down there quickly My life was just leading upward. Since that was the first promotion in life, it can be said that I have not yet got to the middle level in life. I felt like going downwards in life might be far. Tuan Khaw Cin was steadily moving down behind me. I had to adjust my strides. The downward path was rough and narrow. It might be about 1 ft wide, just past the trees. In some places without any trees, there was a bald -headed mountain, nothing there. If I slip, I would fall down swiftly to the bottom of the mountain. At the beginning it seemed frightful but knowing that it was a \"must\" journey, I kept on walking. And I even forgot the knock of death. The path was smooth in some parts but at some other point there were steep slopes. Although I tried to go slowly, it seemed like I was running down. I needed to pay attention to the path, and I couldn't enjoy the natural beauty of the forest and mountain. The sweat flowed down from my forehead to my feet. The sweat made my whole body wet. In Hmawbi there was no 23

chance to walk. So I didn't have any practice. After one hour's walk I got tired and even needed to take breath not only from the nose but also with my mouth. When we got to Mansuang Bridge I wanted to take a rest. We bought a cup of lime juice each and drank. I lay down in a small hut beside the bridge. \"Sayagyi, you shouldn't take a nap for a long time. If not warming up, it would be very difficult for you to walk\" Tuan Khaw Cin warned me. He was right. After warming down, I didn't have any mood to walk. I wanted to take a nap there. But we hadn't yet made half of the journey. I forced by myself and continued. I didn't want to carry anything. I felt even the hat I wore became heavier than before. I gave my umbrella to Tuan Khaw Cin. Only when I was about to leave, did I notice the cleanliness of Manipur River. I could see the small stones down there on the floor of the river. The water was also not that deep but flowed quite fast. Being very tired I didn't even want to know from where the river had started flowing and to where it was flowing. · Paying full attention to the way upwards, I tried to climb up. The upward journey took longer than the downward one. Knowing that needed to climb up 5000 ft made me uneasy. Not knowing this fact might have been better. In some cases, lack of knowledge could be better. The more you know, the more you feel depressed. It would be better not to know everything in all cases. 24

During climbing some thoughts came and went. After an hour of climbing, we reached the peak again. I knew that we had to walk along this mountain range passing at least nine mountains. Finally we got to our destination, Laitui village. It was 5 p.m. The village was built around the mountain. Almost all the houses were double storey buildings with their front fa9ade facing the road with the pillars. Almost all the houses' doors were closed as it was windy. The school was situated in the lower part of the mountain and we had to walk downwards again. There was a house for the Headmaster. All my predecessors had also put up there. In a few minute we got there. It was built on a mount, a rather big wooden building. At the back there was a very wide patio made up of large timbers. Teacher Tuan Khaw Cin told me that two white ghosts could be seen on that patio. The thought of staying in a black wooden house with two white ghosts really haunted me. 25

<<Sometimes a human being might be in such a terrible situation and not know what to do. He even might/eel depressed and want to commit suicide. Helpless and lonely.>> 26

CHAPTERS AN OLD HOUSE WITH TWO GHOSTS The house I stayed in seemed frightful. Its length was about 40ft and 20 ft wide. It was soaked with oil dregs and the colour had turned greenish brown. The house was built on the hill side with very long wooden pillars. It also had a pungent smell. It was a somewhat bad and unpleasant, musty or rotten smell. But I was really exhausted. I just rested on a long bench in the sitting room and did not have the energy to observe the interior of the house. A man in his early twenties made a fire and boiled water. A lady teacher provided me with a pot of corn cereal to eat. Teacher Tuan Khaw Cin prepared a glass oflime juice for me. He led a group of students and put my belongings in order and made the bed for me. Tuan Khaw Cin introduced the youth who boiled water for me as Khen Suan Mung, the janitor. He stayed quite close to my house in the servants' quarters. Teacher Tuan Khaw Cin informed me that I could call Khen Suan Mung whenever I needed assistance. Khen Suan Mung also cooked a pot of rice for me. I put some dried tea into the boiled water in the flask. As I was very sweaty, I told them I wanted to take a bath. They boiled another pot of water. Then they offer me a bucket of water. In fact, the weather was chilly and nobody wanted to take a bath and when I mentioned my wish to have a bath, they secretly smiled at each other. 27

Turning a blind eye to them, I took a bath inside the kitchen which covered an area of 1Oft by 20 ft. I felt fresh again after the bath. After taking a bath, I ate the rice cooked by Khen Suan Mung together with dried fish and peanuts that were brought from ~ Being too tired and very hungry, it was a very delicious itf'f The cooked rice was about half of a tin cup and I ate all of 1. While I was eating Khen Suan Mung cut the small pieces of pine wood to make the fire. Fire wood was also put in the kitchen for me, ready to be used. d~After everyone left and I was alone. It was dark outside. The wind became stronger. I lit a candle. But the wind entered through the planks and put out the candle light. I had to collect all the dishes using a torch light. I could not wash the plates as it was too cold. I postponed the task for tomorrow. Jn fact, khen Suan Mung had offered to help m€ wash the dishes before he left but I felt very bad and turned down his kind offer. It was too chilly for me. I wore gloves and socks and tried to r~all asleep. I did not fall asleep in so short a time but the \\) ~ught of two white ghosts came to my mind. Oh! have they been near my bed? I was trembling with fright. I started saying my prayers. Closed the door and prayed the mantras. 28

Feeling better, I lit a candle inside the room. Although I wanted to light three or four, I had to think about the long run. Fright kept me awake. Then a poem written by poet Kyi Aye struck my heart. During the night Sit upright Beddings in a mess Really upset. Had I become the same as in that poem? I tried to calm myself and sat down at the table. I wrote the events in my diary and felt better. Fear had gone away. At that time the wind blew violently. The doors made noises as the hinges were too old. I could hear the mice running on the beams. During the day time it was hot and during the night time, cold. As a result the wood made loud noises due to its contraction. The wood shrank because of the sudden changes in temperature. Corrugated zinc sheet used for the roof also joined the music band of the wooden house by making noises as some nails were not properly driven in. The wind entered through the places where planks were joined and made the flame of the candle dance. Although wearing layers of warm clothes, I still felt chilly and covered myself with a blanket. While writing the diary, the house trembled as if horses pushed their back against the long pillars under the house. I was feeling very uneasy. 29

It was really frightening staying alone inside a trembling old house under a candle light. Moreover, I was worried and wondered if the two white ghosts were Christian and they might not understand my Buddhist prayers. If they didn't stay away from me, I would really feel frightened. Although I tried to control myself to become calm, it was not yet over and I was still frightened. The fright during that night could make me crazy. If I came across the two white ghosts, I might lose my life. But I was not mad. Nobody had ever seen the two ghosts. Saying prayers so many times made me fall asleep. Or being over-frightened made me so. Staying alone in such a situation I looked for assistance from no other than my God, Lord Buddha. While spending life in the plain areas I was careless and negligent to say prayer.. Now the given situation surely encouraged me to say prayers daily. Fright pushed me to be closer to Buddha. Sometimes a human being may be in such a terrible situation and not know what to do He may even feel depressed and want to commit suicide. Helpless and lonely. Loneliness and anger might make you mad. The only one who could offer you a helping hand would be no other than God. Spending a long time saying prayers encouraged me and l was able to keep myself calm. Also, I was telling my beads and 30

able to forget the fright. This valuable experience in my life would be frequently remembered. 31

<< He explained that it was their tradition to offer wood and edible things to any new teacher.>> 32

CHAPTER6 TWO PIECES OF FIRE WOODS TO A NEW TEACHER. The next morning when I woke up, I was suffering from aches all over the body.Should I spend a longer time in bed? No, I couldn't. I was eager to take up the duties and responsibilities of a Head master. I was also hungry and thirsty. But in this village there was nothing to buy. There was water in the bucket but not drinking water. I wanted to drink only boiled water. I forced myself to get up. After washing face and brushing teeth, I gazed outside. Oh, what a panoramic view! The sun rose stealthily between the two mountain peaks and splashed the whole sky red. The clouds clustered in a group. The valley was covered with heavy fog. I couldn't see far. Those mountains surrounded the village like walls. It was a lovely painting of sun rise time. While enjoying the beauty of nature, I remembered to boil water and cook rice. I tried to draw my imagination back inside the house. l put the thin pine sticks prepared by Khen Suan Mung over the fire wood to make a fire. With the candle l started making fire. l could see the small flame on the pine sticks but failed to set fire to the wood. As the wood was wet the smoke happily danced tango with very fast steps. The smoke forced my eyes to produce tear. Tear rolled down my cheeks. The flame died down. I had to use more pine sticks and tried to make the fire 33

again. I recalled my memory of my beloved mother preparing to make fire. My mother always put the filter tips of the cheroot, brand name Okkan Ma Nyo Win, into a tin filled up with diesel oil. The next day she started making fire with those filter tips which were soaked with diesel oil, putting them underneath the dried branches surrounded by the fire wood. When those filter tips caught fire, it gave big flame and that flame helped set fire to the other firewood. Then my mother cooked rice and curry. It seemed to be very easy. I didn't see it as a difficult task. It was not a piece of cake when doing it. I realized that some tasks which were regarded as easy ones were not at all easy when carrying out. I learnt via practical experience. It was an essential and I tried again to make fire. This time I used many pine sticks and selected some woods which seemed to be a bit drier. As usual the smoke came out and so did the tear. If I were a very young boy, I might cry out loud. But the Headmaster could not cry and also impossible to ignore it. I must try to finish cooking before the school bell rang. Before I left home I had thought of having meal by ordering a meal box from a restaurant on a monthly basis. I smiled at my way of thinking as if I was still in. It might be a smile with an upset feeling. Then there was a knock on the front door. 34

When I opened the door, I saw the students wearing school uniform holding two pieces of firewood each in their hands. They were primary level students. They showed their respect to me and they seemed to be a bit nervous. I smiled at them and invited them to come in. Without any words, they went straight to the kitchen and dropped the fire wood there. They didn't say anything. One child spoke in their mother tongue, the Chin language but I didn't understand. When I said thank you in Burmese, they smiled at me. Then, one after another students turned up and gave me firewood, two sticks each. The middle school level students took out the things they carried in their bags and put them on the table inside the room. The things were many varieties: corn, pumpkin, gaurakha (kind of creeper bearing edible fruit), lettuce, mustard, gourd- tendrils, eggs and so on. An articulate student said \"These are for Saya Peepar (master in Chin language)\" And then they went back. They looked at each other and smiled and/or even made a faint sound of laughter. They seemed to be happy offering their things to me. I was really happy and pleased. Out of their good deeds they brought firewood and edible things for me. I loved them and also would like to give them something. But I couldn't afford to give them anything as there were many students. Although I was unable to return any material things, I 35

could give them my loving kindness, benevolence and genuine kindness in my heart. I was determined to help raise up their standard of living within my reach. At that time teacher Cin arrived. He explained that it was their tradition to offer woods and edible things to any new teacher. It was not easy for them as they had searched for wood, climbing up the mountain. Edible things could not be bought from shops. So they had to take them from their own farm. I told him that the students didn't reply anything, just gave me these fire woods. When I said thank you to them, they smiled.\" \"Sayagyi,, all primary level students cannot speak Burmese. Even middle school level students speak short phrases in Burmese. They can't speak Bunnese fluently but they understand Burmese to some extent.\" After what teacher Cin said, I took pity on them. I felt like I now realized of what I should give in return to my students. \"Anything you want me to do, Sayagyi?\" \"Oh! No, nothing.\" Then Teacher Cin left. I went back again to perform the fire making procedure. This time I was successful. I boiled water first. Then I kept the boiled water in the flask. cooked rice about one tin cup full. I fried half of the gaurhaka fruit. Then I ate my meal with preserved fish paste and fried peanut. I had to leave half of the rice in the pot. Instead of soup I could drink hot green tea. I thought the rice seemed to be a 36

little bit hard as I used a little liter of water when cooked. I needed to swallow the rice with the help of green tea. It had been a long time I hadn't cooked meals. Paying attention to educational job and didn't know how to cook rice. Well, life might be like that, not a bed of roses, sometimes one needed to struggle a lot for one's own survival. The school bell would ring in a few minutes and I couldn't spend a long time eating my meal. After wearing proper attire, I had to leave for school. As the weather was cold, no need to have a bath. I had also only a bucketful of water. Even then this was a special arrangement for a headmaster. There were neither wells nor lake in the whole village. They kept the rain water in the valley and then with the help of man-made bamboo gutters water would be collected drop by drop the whole night. In fact due to the cold weather no need to take shower. I wore a vest and then a long sleeve shirt covered with traditional jacket (taik- poun). The outermost one was a warm jerkin. I needed to wear socks and a bobble hat. I heard the school bell ringing. 37

<< \"In life there must be changes and progress. Tomorrow must be better than today with such progress. \" \"To achieve progress in life, we need to try continuously. Intelligence can drive you to grab necessary progress in life> 38