True friend

I did not go into a friend group for several days.

Tonight, I was online. My friends in the group were chatting, but I didn’t join, I just read their chat.

‘I attended Rani’s funeral. Also, her 7 day funeral.’

‘I attended only her 7 day funeral.’

‘I did not see you.’

‘I went in the evening. I took time after I left the office. I felt pity for her.’

‘Yes, I pitied her. She is our friend. She passed away at a young age. So pitiful.’

‘Very sorry about her.’

‘I read her chats in our group. I miss her.’

‘I offered $ 100 to her family.’

‘Yes, I miss her.’

I scanned their photos. I wondered, they were at the funeral, but they smiled when they took photos.

They continued their chatting.

‘I did not see Sopie at the funeral.’

Sopie was my name. They talked about me.  Though I did not chat, I was online. They should see, but because they did not pay attention, they didn’t notice my presence.

‘It is not appropriate. At least, she should go to see friend for the last time.’

‘She did not go to the 7 day funeral too.’

‘Cold heart woman.’

‘We should ask her. Maybe she went but we did not see her.’

‘If she attended, she should have a photo. I did not see her posted photos of the funeral nor in the group. It means she did not attend. I didn’t feel good about her.’

‘Yes, right. She should not call herself a friend of Rani.’

Suddenly, a message appeared in our group. It was from Rani.

I opened my eyes big. How could she write a message to our group? She died already.

I bet my friends were surprised too. They all saw her message. She wrote a long text.

'Dear Sopie,

I write this message for you.

I know you did not attend my funeral and you will not for sure.

Even though I am not angry or upset with you because you are my real friend.

I was sick for months. Only my family knew. I did not tell any friend even you. I felt depressed when I realized my days were numbered. I was scared. I posted many posts. Friends just clicked like or love. Only you, you sent a private message to me, asked me how I was, and chatted with me. 

When I posted a message to the group – that I was not happy – no friend replied to me. Only you. You replied to me, you chatted with me, also you called me and spoke all night. Moreover, you took me out. 

I remember you took me to the Royal Palace because you knew I wanted to see the emerald Buddha statue. It was the greatest day I ever had. 

Then days later, you took me to visit the national museum. You were my guide. I listened to your telling about the museum and statue that you knew; it was very great telling. 

I remember when you took me to have lunch at a restaurant along the river side, near Varin pagoda. We had lunch there and stayed on a hammock, getting fresh air from the river until 4pm then we came back to Phnom Penh. 

I was very glad when you accompanied me to see animation and comedy movies at the cinema. I laughed. I forgot my pain at those moments. 

Every time you came to take me out, you spent. Car petrol, meals and even cinema tickets. I spent less. You spent time with me, cared about me, when I was alive, while other friends think of me when I’m already gone. 

I feel it’s useless when they pray to me and talk with me through the incense. I don’t hear them. I wanted to hear them, to see them when my ears and my eyes were opened, but they did not show up. They did not even take a look or chat with me in group. I don’t feel they are my friends although they attend my funeral or 7 day funeral or offer much money to my funeral. Because I don’t know or hear anything anymore.

Sopie, I want to take this chance to make my last announcement to the group and to our friends that only you are friends with me. And I have no regret knowing you. Also, I leave in peace and rest in peace. You are my friend forever and I believe I am your friend in your heart forever too.

Good bye, Sopie. 

Love you.

From Rani,'

My lips smiled when I read this message and two drops of tear fell down my face. 

Yes, I did not attend her funeral because I felt I have already done enough for her as her friend. I did not want to see her sleeping and cold because I wanted to keep her beautiful smiling and active image, when we had fun together, forever in my mind. I felt peaceful as I learnt she left in peace and I was glad to see her saying she rested in peace.

Rani’s messages were seen by all friends in the group. They were silent. 

Then another message from Rani showed up.

'Hello everyone,

I am the younger sister of Rani. She gave this message, before she died, and asked me to send it to the group on the night of the 7 day funeral.

Perhaps this message scares you. I am so sorry.

My sister told everything about sister Sopie.

My parents and I would like to express great thank to sister Sopie what she had helped my sister while she was in hard time. We really thank you for your kindness and true friendship to our sister.'

After that, Rani’s name was removed – by her sister – from our group.

Golden fur heron

written by Chakriya PHOU

There was a heron living by a pond. It had magical golden fur which could double the amount of things. The heron usually gave its golden fur to lion, rat and ant. Each got one fur per day.

One day, the heron fell sick. Golden fur became normal fur; moreover, the fur fell off of the heron’s body.

Three animals heard about the poor heron.

Ant thought, “I am a small animal. I cannot help. So, I better help myself.”

And the lion thought, “I am kind enough to let it live.”

Only rat brought food to feed the heron. It did everyday without complaint until the heron got well. 

After the body was free from illness, golden fur came back. Heron decided to fly away. Before it moved, it gave lots of golden fur to the rat to pay for its kindness.

Lion and ant heard that the heron had golden fur again; hence, they quickly came to ask for golden fur but they could not meet even a shadow of the heron. The two went back home sadly.

As for rat, it lived happily with full food forever.

 

Job interview

written by Chakriya PHOU

In a company's room...

Interviewer : Hello, welcome to my company. Please show why I should hire you.

Interviewee : Because I have 3 qualifications.

Interviewer : What are they?

Interviewee : First, I speak honestly. Second, I share all knowledge/information. Third, if I do something wrong, I will accept my mistake.

Interviewer : Because of these 3 qualifications, I hope you'll find another job.

Interviewee : Why?

Interviewer : You speak honestly, it means you are not flexible. You share info, it means you cannot be my confidant because you would tell others about my story. You accept your mistake if you do wrong, it means you don't know the art of living. I'm sorry, man. Good luck to you.

Interviewee : !!!

Too Late

written by Chakriya PHOU

A mother is giving instruction to her daughter.

Mother : Sweet heart, you are a girl. You have to take care of your body. Don't let anyone touch you. 

Daughter : It's too late, mum. Someone touched me. 

Mother : Tell me. I will go to report. 

Daughter : You cannot report because I am the person who gave permission. Not only touch but also press and squeeze. 

Mother : Tell me now who he is. 

Daughter : It's not ‘he’, it's ‘she’. She is a staff at a massage and spa. I went to her to get a massage. She touched, she pressed and she squeezed my whole body. My body was in pain but after that, it is good. Talking about it, I feel I want to go to her again.

Mother : !!!

Wish of a porcupine

written by Chakriya PHOU

There was a god. He stayed in heaven.

One day, he looked from his palace and saw that animals living on earth were difficult. He felt sorry for them. He wanted to help them but he could not show himself to them.

The god thought for a while then he decided to go into animals' dreams and asked them what they wanted and he made them accomplish. He went from one to one. Then it was the turn of the porcupine. 

The god came into its dream and asked, "Now, what do you wish for?"

The porcupine, nervously, said, "I don't dare to say for my wish you need to do it with your own hands."

The god smiled and said to it, "Don't be scared. Say it and I will do it for you."

Then the porcupine - shy - claimed that, "I want you to massage my body."

The god opened big eyes and froze.

Make-love in Rain

written by Chakriya PHOU

The rain was falling. 

A boy was sitting under the tree. Next to him was a younger boy. Next to the younger boy, it was another boy, smaller than him. After the smaller boy, there was a girl, about the size of the first boy’s size. She was carrying a baby, about six months old. All of them were wet. 

The girl covered the little baby with a scarf. Once in a while, she looked at a bush that was not far from the tree.

Behind the bush, there was chatting.

“Are you sure?” A female’s voice.

“Yes. The fortune teller told the husband and wife that own that shop to have a kid next year, then they will become millionaires. I already searched. Husband’s birthday is the same as mine and wife’s birthday is the same as yours,” a man’s voice.

“Then hurry up.”

The rain continued for several minutes. Then it stopped.

A few seconds later, a limping man and a woman came out of the bush and walked towards the kids.

“It’s time to work,” he said.

“Yes, father,” the kids said, and the young girl gave the baby to the woman saying, “Mother, she cried but I persuaded her to sleep.”

The mother just nodded her head.

Following, the limping father took a lead by bringing his wife and children to the road junctions. When the traffic light was red, the family went to knock on the travelers’ cars window and asked for money.

Traffic Accident QA

written & illustrated by Chakriya PHOU

 

Teacher : Who causes traffic accidents?

Student : All drivers.

Teacher : Why?

Student : Because they want to help others:
1. They want police to have work to do, they don't want police to get a salary for free.
2. When they get injured, they are sent to hospital and the doctors and nurse, also pharmacy/pharmacist will get income.
3. If their car or motor is broken, they need to bring their vehicle to a repair shop then they will get income.
4. If a car or motor is badly broken, they need to buy a new one and this helps the car or motor sellers to sell their product.
5. If they hit the street block, tree, pavement etc, the construction shop owner will have a chance to sell their product; the construction workers will have work to do; the plant shop will sell their product. All of them will earn money.
6. If they lost their lives in an accident, the family would make a funeral at the pagoda and the monk, the priest, would be offered some money. Also, related stakeholders such as coffin shops, flower and funeral organizing shops etc. would earn profit.

Teacher : Please make a conclusion.

Student : In conclusion, the drivers that cause accidents are kind. Their actions are significant and have great benefit for many people and society. Also, they participate in reducing poverty.

 

Note : This story is written to be a type of funny creation.

I Would Be Fine

written by Chakriya PHOU
photographed and designed by Chakriya PHOU

Did you ever think what I would be if you left me? 

I could tell you, don't worry, I would be definitely fine. I would still be who I was. I would still eat delicious food. I would still go to work as usual. I would still smile when people asked about you and I would tell them with a smile that I and you broke up. 

I would still go to have fun with my family and friends on weekends. I would still join my relative's or friend's wedding and wish them happiness. I would still have nice sleep and sweet dreams every night. 

Well, if you truly left me and we met one day, by chance, I would say hello but I could not let myself love you again, like I do today.

Note : this story was edited by American writer but I did not remember her name and I have lost contact with her. I would like to express great thank to her for editing my story.

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. 

The Girl was born to be dead

written by Chakriya PHOU

This world does not seem to have justice. 

I was dragged into this world; a man raped a girl, and she got pregnant. 

When I was in her womb, she wanted to give up on me.  

Three months after conception, she drank medicine to get rid of me. Unfortunately, the medicine had expired. 

She tried again when I was three-and-a-half months old, by going to see a doctor. The doctor refused. She went to another nurse; she agreed. On the day they made the appointment, the house of that nurse caught fire. 

She did not stop thinking of getting rid of me. She jumped from the stairs, jumped from the first floor, rolled down a hill towards the rocks, etc. but at those moments, people helped her. 

That girl cried every night. I could hear her crying. I saw her punch her abdomen strongly. I could feel how much she hated me. 

When she cried, I cried too. I wanted to say sorry. I didn't mean to upset her. 

She ate little. Perhaps she wanted to kill me step by step. She couldn’t kill me openly; she had to do it secretly. 

Before long, it was nine months and then days. I could not remain in the womb anymore. I had to get out. I did not care about anything besides freeing myself from that narrow space full of snot and mucus. 

At last, I was able to leave. 

Then the girl became sweet to me. 

She said, “Sorry.”

She carried me, she kissed me, her expression was completely different, but I did not feel anything from her warmth and love. She cried and cried and cried, but I could not hear her, I could not hear anything. 

I was dead when I was born. It was my destiny.

When you looking at the river

written by Chakriya PHOU

 

Eh, what are you looking at? River? The bank at another side of the river? Or are you looking at the sun? But the sun is covered by the clouds. Are you trying to see it? 

Well, you look gentle today. Normally, you were naughty. You ate a lot, but this morning you just had only a glass of milk. Are you not well? Are you upset with anyone? Is there anything wrong?

You know, today you behave strangely. You don’t talk with anyone. You seem not happy with this trip. You act that you are bored with all people. You make everyone scared and worry about you.

Since you arrived here, you just sit and look at that side. You don’t walk. There are many places to visit on this mountain, but you seem not interested in it.

What’s wrong with you? You smile. Who do you smile at? You smile alone. Eh, what's the matter?

Your face expression shows that there is something in your mind.

It is the Mekong River. The wind is cool. It is Kampong Cham province. Perhaps you are thinking of your childhood. Yes, Kompong Cham is your hometown. You are missing your house that you lived before. Your hometown is as same as the district of Teav, the main lady character in Khmer novel titled ‘Tum Teav’. You nod your head. You are missing it for sure.

Tboung Khnom, you were born there. You stayed in a house with your parents and your siblings happily. You stayed shortly. Your family moved to the city when you were young. You rarely visit your hometown. That's why this time you feel missing it so much. You want to visit it. You want to see your old house.

You are thinking and comparing your past and your present. Also, you ask about your future; what will it be?

You know that you cannot return, but you may feel happy when you think about your past because it was a happy time.

The thing you are afraid of is about the future. It is because you cannot see it. You cannot see even this evening, tonight, or tomorrow. You try, but it’s impossible. If you can see it, you will feel relaxed.

You take a deep breath. According to the health advice, taking deep breath is good. It brings Oxygen to lungs and brain.

You should not worry much. Yes, you do it correctly. It is lunchtime so it is better to stop thinking of anything and go to eat. Let's go.