Krong Sopheamit

Over the weekend I picked up a Khmer classic ‘Krong Sopheamit’. This book was short. It is about 100 pages long written in such poetic prose. I was so captivated by the story which entirely written in 3 Khmer poem tunes of Bot Kaketek, Bot Puchunglilea and Bot Pumnol. The author did a superb job on narrating the story; in every page it was so descriptive and full of imageries. (Please read the excerpt below)

The story was about a compassionate king named Krong Sopheamit who has younger brother named Preah Ak-Sopheamit. The king’s younger brother Ak-Sopheamit built up the army for plotting to overthrow his brother and took over the throne for himself. Krong Sopheamit knew the deceitfulness of his younger brother. So to avoid the feud, war, and bloodshed, Krong Sopheamit gave up the throne and exiled himself far away from the kingdom. The epic poem described on the ordeals of Krong Sopheamit, his queen and two children while in exiled.

I will not spoil you any detail nor ending. You have to read it yourself. I highly recommended this classic to those who interest in our Khmer literature.

(Krong Sopheamit. Poem tune of Bot Puchunglilea)

GLOBAL WARMING

I have a female childhood friend who's now living in Battambang province. She's not only a very intelligent lady but also has a great sense of humour. She makes me laugh all the time when we see or talk to one another. We speak mostly in Khmer but practice our English on each other whenever we have a chance. One of the qualities I like about her is that we never get angry in anything we do or say to each other.

She had just forewarded this above picture chart to me.

I telephoned to tell her I like it. It's very funny and said,
"Hmmmm, by looking at the picture chart I would say it's GLOBAL WARMING 2007!

She paused, "Huh ? " Sounded confused. "Niyay pi ey 'global warming 2007', Thom ? (What are you talking about, Thom)".

"Do you have your computer on with that graph chart in front of you ?" I asked.

She answered "Ning heuy- affirmative".

I pointed to her "Now, you have to analyse and make a prediction from that chart".

Before I was about to explain why I said it's Global Warming 2007, I heard she laughed so hilariously on the phone " 'Yiss! charng teh teass!-I should slap you. You have a dirty mind, Thom", she said.

I just smiled.

Thom,
Filed In Svay Rieng, Cambodia