If your father and your mother fell into the sea, who would you help first?

written by Chakriya PHOU
edited by Arnold Zable
photographed by Chakriya PHOU

On Sunday, I met my friend.

She asked me, "If your parents and your boyfriend fell into the sea, who would you help first?"

I could not make a decision because all of them were precious to me.

On Monday, I went to class. Then I remembered my friend's question. I decided to set it as an exercise for my students before the lesson began. I amended the question, "If your father and your mother fell into the sea, who would you help first?"

Silence. 

I said, "Hands up." 

Still quiet. 

I decided to point to one of them. I looked around and I chose the girl who was sitting in the fifth row table on the left. She stood up and said, "I don't know how to swim. Moreover, even if I did, I would not be able to carry father nor mother from the water. I weigh only 40 kilograms."

I was surprised. But she was correct. She was truly the number one, outstanding student of the university.

I bet not one of the students understood and perhaps you don't too.