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CM e rI s CI vi t
Samphos, Bopha,
POV SAMPHOS, age 17 and Rith as
-is someone who always
children
plans before she does some-
thing. Her mother makes and
sells baked goods for a living
and her father is an honest
policeman. She has a very
good memory and is good at
school, but always needs
Rith’s help in mathematics. Age 3
School Director
Sokha
Teacher
Visal
Borey
Kosal
Dany
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THE TEACHER ARRIVES.
Everyone may
sit down now!
Chapter 1: Class Leader
THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT KOMPONG
SPEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, IN GRADE 11 “E”:
2 3
Kosal, Rith and Dany, please
Yes, sir! They tricked present yourselves.
me!
Uh oh! We’ve found a TO THE TEACHER’S DISMAY, NONE OF So, which one of the three
competitor for the THE STUDENTS RAISES THEIR HAND. do you think deserves the
former Class Leader. position?
Now,
anyone
else?
we have
these
Very good,
three
Dany!
candidates
for this
year.
4 5
Why did you ask me to Hey, THE SECOND DAY, Hey guys, have some chocolate,
raise my hand? I never relax, pal! We only BEFORE CLASS: my father just bought it from
wanted to be Class wanted to help you. Singapore. Thanks,
Leader. Kosal!
Help
me? Why?
We know
that you
like Dany.
Right?
This is a great
way to catch
Dany’s interest.
OK, guys!
Enough. Let’s
go home. And
you’d better
think of what
to say for your
speech tomorrow.
6 7
Which one of KOSAL IS FIRST If you all vote for RITH’S TURN. Um..... um.... well, if you vote
you three want TO RESPOND. me, I promise that I for me, I promise that I
to deliver your will organize many will lead our class to
speech first? fun activities for becoming a model class.
Sir! Thank
all of us.
you!
CL AP
C CL
at my
house,
and We’re so proud
we’ll to have a friend
have like you.
lots
of fun
there.
I also
have
video
games For the girls, I will buy
at home. a flower for each on
Valentine’s Day and
Women’s Rights’ Day.
BOPHA WHISPERS If you vote for me, I I will write down Finally, I promise for
TO SAMPHOS: promise that I will man- every expense we all important class
age all the activities make in a note- decisions, I’ll ask
Look! He’s He’s full of our class well. book so you first.
already brib- of false that you
ing every one promises. I all can
of us to vote will never have an
for him. He vote for him idea of
thinks that again. what I am
we’d be fools doing
like last with the
year, huh? money.
8 9
THE SCHOOL BELL SIGNALS AS STUDENTS LEAVE THE Dany’s won 28
THE END OF THE DAY. CAMPUS, DANY SEES RITH. votes, Rith 27
Well... um, you votes, and Kosal
You did very well in spoke better 5 votes.
G! G!
DON
your speech in class.
DON
than me,
Dany.
G!
DON
I’d therefore like to
declare Dany as your
Class Leader this year!
THE ELECTION Everyone, Let’s have Rith as our Assistant Leader since
DAY ARRIVES. let’s start he’s won 27 votes for himself. Rith and I will
the voting cooperate with each other and do our best
now. to make this a model class this year.
10 11
RITH, BOPHA, AND SAMPHOS Hey, it’s time you thank us,
WALK HOME AFTER SCHOOL. Assistant Leader! So, you now
have time to get close to the
Class Leader.
You got 27
votes! With just
another vote, you
would have been
the winner.
I would
have if I hadn’t voted
for Dany.
Congratulations to
you all for being
selected as Class
Leaders.
13
g! ng!
Well, I’ve asked you all here to RITH HURRIES TO THE AND POUNDS ON THE
my office to let you know we will Yes, sir! Yes, sir! FRONT OF THE CLASS --
a n
Ba
BLACKBOARD.
have the school’s tree planting B
ceremony next month. Please go
! g !
Ban
g Ban
back to your class and start
collecting money for your
class tree.
What? Collecting
OK! I have We money again? We’ve
DANY WALKS BACK May I have your something
I need to have to paid many times
TO THE CLASSROOM. attention, please, to tell you:
explain some collect already, haven’t we?
everyone?
things. money to
buy our
class
tree.
14 15
SAMPHOS SIGNS THE RECORD Wow! You are
You need to be faster, buddy!
BOOK OF GRADE 11E. keeping good
records. I think that
Fantastic! it’s better if
you have some Yeah! Not
small record. Girls what?
like Not the
boys stupid
who are ones?
brave, Is that
not... what you
mean?
This is a great idea! No This evening I will go Look, she is gorgeous, smart We don’t what you intend
Class Leader did this buy the class tree. Can and there are lots of guys to do regarding Dany, What should
before. That’s why it someone help me carry after her. I have many but if you like her I do?
was confusing. it? competitors. you should take
our advice.
I want to be
fair, and it helps
me remember.
It’s a big class!
16 17
AT THE SCHOOL CANTEEN: Next week, IN THE AFTERNOON, AT KABOOM! That will save
there’s another BOPHA’S HOUSE... you from the exam.
exam. So boring! More
Oh, my brain will importantly,
explode! Let’s call we are out of
Don’t worry, it a day, OK? cookies. Tomor-
we can han- row, can you
dle it as bring extra?
usual.
I’ve heard
that teacher
wants to
increase the
price. Bopha, your first
Now what?
thought is always
food.
The gasoline If we want to pass, just slip some
So the price is up. money in the exam paper. Low amount,
exam low score. More money, high score.
price is
up too?
Some
exercise
will clear
Sure.
our heads.
You are
her only
child.
You’ll
find
a way.
Hey,
let’s
go.
18 19
Do you remember THE EXAM DAY ARRIVES. AS THE TEACHER GIVES PAPERS TO THE STUDENTS, THE
what Kosal and his SCHOOL DIRECTOR OBSERVES THE EXAMINATION.
friends said this Sure, they were
morning? talking about the
exam next week.
What was
that?
But what?
20 21
DAYS LATER AT THE SCHOOL CANTEEN: No way! Everyone’s
calling him “PAO
I don’t understand why the School JING THEAN”.*
Director came to collect the
exam paper this time! I think we
have a ‘traitor’ in our class.
If I put
money in the
exam paper, my
score is zero!
Did you put any money
in your exam paper? * The honest, incorruptable judge from TV drama
If I review my
lessons, maybe I can write
something on the next exam.
Uh oh! Rith's
competition is
one step ahead.
Hey,
great! We
are free For
two hours!
23
Kosal suggests some Sorry, but the math You want to come I don’t understand
Dany, will
karaoke, will you go? exam is coming. I need with us next time? this at all.
you go? I’ll think
to go to the library.
Just a break, for about it.
those who aren’t
There is
bookworms.
a group
going?
Me too.
But Rith’s
things are Here they
ONE HOUR LATER, THEY there. are.
RETURN TO SCHOOL.
Hey, Bopha, you have
a great voice. You
are not bad
yourself.
24 25
NEXT DAY... Our ‘friend’ said that if we want
Dany... um, here is the answers, we will have to pay
the formula book. Hurry up, give me the Do we
twice the usual cost.
money so I can buy have the
Thank the math exam paper. answers? Twice?
you, Rith!
No.
Please sit
OK.
right here. Singing was less fun without you, Dany. If we don’t have the answers,
how can we do the exam? We don’t have enough money.
Well, um... I know where we can get He’s the top student
help, at a special discount. in math every month.
26 27
I’ll tell him that Dany, my THE DAY OF THE MATH EXAM Really? When If you told us, perhaps I would
cousin, asked for help. was this? Umm, two or have been able to do exercise
He’ll do it. three days two and five!
ago.
Why
didn’t
you
tell Why do I That's because you
us? have to tell wasted time singing
Hmm, brilliant! you everything? karaoke with Kosal.
28 29
ONE WEEK LATER... Today’s youth are hard to Um, uh we
Yes, teacher! advise! They don’t want to don’t know.
You three, study, but want to be film
come here! stars.
This
month,
what is
your
grade?
I was first
in my class.
30 31
A FEW MINUTES LATER.. Why is the Director
here? He only I don’t know - but I saw
comes for exams, Kosal, Sokha, Visal just
usually. return from his office.
33
Really? I thought Dany, could you help
you had gone to me to delete some Rith, great job!
Karao.. um.. absence marks?
I’m
sorry, I’m
not allowed
to do that.
Sorry.
How about you, It can’t be, you skipped class Know why you won? You had the
Sopheap? How many for Karaoke like me! three prettiest girls in the
absences do class cheering for you.
you have?
Never.
RITH SCORES A GOAL - JUST AS THE MATCH ENDS. Um, RITH, could you help Dany, want to study with us? We learn at my
me with math for the house almost every day from 2 o'clock.
semester 2 exam?
Great, Rith!
Great.
Of course.
I’ll come.
34 35
What does Dany see KOSAL THINKS How can I get With Borey’s problem, will AFTER CLASS.
in Rith anyway? FOR A MOMENT... those grades? you mark him absent?
Where is Rith?
I note everyone
who is absent, what-
ever reason they
have.
He’s one of
the best students.
If you want to interest Don’t ask Oh, he’s off
Dany, you need to be at me, I’m not a buying books
the top of the class. good student. with Dany.
I have brought my moto today. Rith, you have a motorbike? May I Hey pretty
Want to buy books after class? use it now? My family just called girls!
to say my mother is sick. where are
you going?
Sounds Want to go
good. for a walk
with me?
I need a
Thanks! I'll return it break, I’m going
to you by 11 o'clock. for a drive.
36 37
Hey! What are you doing? you could buy us It’s best if you travel
Leave my friends alone! breakfast sometime. with a larger group,
it’s safer that way.
Hey, stop! He knows Borey, Kosal, you should put a A FEW DAYS LATER…
the ‘Big Brother’ of warm egg on your bruise,
Kompong Spean you’ll heal faster.
Where is Rith?
High School.
Let’s go.
Kosal, are Thanks for your help, At the break time, That's right. Because If you
you alright? Kosal and Visal. I need to meet the I don't want my par- don’t want
Teacher, as well. ents to know that I to end up
missed the class. like this,
I'm ok. why do
you skip
class?
You want to
No big deal.
delete some I know it's my fault,
Maybe...
absences, don’t you? ‘second mother’.
38 39
THE SCHOOL DIRECTOR’S OFFICE: Did you ride your THE POLICEMAN SCRATCHES Sang Borey! Why is the name
motorbike with OFF THE WHITE INK Sang Borey changed?
license plate No.
9999 at 10:00 on
Tuesday?
Here you are! Do you remember that you lent Did you remove the absence
Borey your motorbike in the of Sang Borey?
morning on that day?
Rith was not marked absent Look! There is a white mark It'd be Sang Borey who rode on a motorbike with license plate
on Tuesday, May 20. He did of correction pen here. Number 9999 and snatched the phone along Street 123 at 10 on
attend biology session. Tuesday. We need to go find Sang Borey right now.
I will
ask my Deputy
Director to take Thank you,
you to Sang Borey. School Director.
40 41
Rith, Dany, you You received the money from the student Samphos, do you think maybe I could Huh! Why do you allow him
can go. and erased the absence, didn’t you? join your study group? to learn with us at your
house?
OK, come to He’s
my house helped
at 2pm. us out,
Uh, uh...
he’s OK.
42 43
FROM THAT TIME ONWARD, SAMPHOS HELPS KOSAL WITH HIS STUDIES. AT THE PARTY: Bopha, I don't think I will be
promoted to grade 12!
Thanks
for taking
your time Keep
to teach working
me, Rith. hard and
I've got you’ll
much get
higher there.
grades
for this
second
semester. Don't mention it.
You did it yourself.
AT THE SCHOOL CANTEEN… AT THE SCHOOL COURTYARD…
Would
But you like
your to dance?
score
shows
that you
only just
passed
the
exam.
THE End
44 45
SUMMER SCHOOL - PART ONE
A few days after the school term finished, Bopha and Rith visited Samphos’ small
home. They found Samphos busy in the kitchen, baking cookies and cakes with
her mother, who sells them every day in the market.
“Oh, so you came for some cookies,” Samphos said with a smile.
“Did you think I come to visit you?” Bopha answered.
“I knew it,” Samphos said playfully. “Ok, if you want to eat, you need to help us
bake them!”
Bopha and Rith helped Samphos and her mother. They began to get hungry,
looking at all the food. “OK, watch those cookies, I’m going to get more flour,”
said Samphos’ mother.
“Hey Rith, when will you register your name for summer classes?” said Bopha.
“I registered already and also for Dany,” Rith said.
“Ah ha, you will sit next to her,” smiled Samphos.
“How could you register before us? We always sit together!” said Bopha.
“Samphos, we should go to register our name together,” said Bopha. “So we can
sit next to each other.”
Bopha threw some rice four at Rith. “Wait for us next time!”
Rith threw some back, and Samphos couldn’t resist joining in the fun.
46
Suddenly Samphos’ mother came back to see their faces white from flour.
“How dare you!” she says. “You know what? People work hard to grow rice. I’ve
done it. If you don’t respect flour, it means you don’t respect the people who work
very hard in the field.”
“Sorry Aunt,” Rith and Bopha said. “Sorry Mother,” Samphos said. They
continued working.
Bopha continued talking about her plans. “If I have time, I want to take karate
lessons! Wouldn’t that be great? Perhaps I could be a star one day. Samphos, do
you want to join me?”
Samphos sighed deeply. Money was a problem for her family “I don’t know.
I should ask my mother first.”
* * *
Bopha and Rith headed off. Samphos thought, I hope mother will be OK to pay
for my summer class.
* * *
47
“Sure, you should have it, but...”, Samphos’ mother said. “We should take the rest
of these cookies to the Old Market this afternoon, and collect money from the sell-
ers. So you will have enough money for this summer class,” she smiled.
“Don’t worry Mother,” Samphos says. “I will take them this afternoon”. Her moth-
er smiled again. “OK!”
After lunch, Samphos set out on her bike to the Old Market.
“I’m sorry Samphos,” says one lady, “but we have to pay some extra fees this
month.”
“The tax has gone up, Auntie?” Samphos asked curiously.
“No, no… to be a seller you must take the good with the bad. There are some
‘unofficial’ fees I must pay. This is just the way of life as a seller. So I won’t be
able to pay you for all the cookies for this last week.”
Samphos continued around the market. Each person had a similar story.
“I’m sorry, but the price of business is going up. Can you reduce the price of your
cookies?”
“Thank you for the cookies, maybe we can pay next week.”
Then she counted her money. There was a lot less than
usual. This was very upsetting. What would she
tell her mother? It could be a big problem for
the family.
48
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Life's Choices
Samphos, Bopha and Rith have been
close friends since childhood. This
school year, they are learning
together in grade 11E at Kompong
Spean Senior High School.