Cao Ya Qing

Rachel

English

October 3​rd​, 2019

Did Chiko Keep His Promise To His Father?

I think ​tha ​Chiko have tried kept his promise to his father, but not entirely. It stated in the text

“‘Take care of your mother, Chiko!’ he shouted as six or seven army officers shoved him into a

van. ‘I will, Father!’ I answered hoping he heard.” (Perkins, page.6) Basically, this paragraph is

stating that Chiko had promised to take care of his mother, and he gave thought and effort into it.

However, he had no way of knowing the wellness of his mother once he was in the training

camp. All he did was send money and hoped that his mother will be well. From this, we can

interpret that Chiko has not really been keeping his promise, though he wanted to.

When Chiko had the chance to go back to Yangon, he decided to give this chance to Tai; “‘Take

me with you instead of Tai,’ I say again, twisting from his grip.” (Perkins, pg.124), though Chiko

has made an irrational decision, he still insist that Tai tells his mother that he is well; “He pulls

Tai out, and I grab my friend’s hand. ‘Visit my mother,’ I say. ‘Tell her I’m coming home soon.

Tell her about Father.” (Perkins, pg.125) In other words, Chiko just wants to take the chances for

his friend, ignoring the fact that if he dies, his mother ​is probably lose​ their only income. Chiko

is being a great friend and a poor family member. This states that Chiko has put his mother’s

feelings and safety after Tai’s. In summary, Chiko intended to protect his mother, but doesn’t

know how. When he could, he decided to do something else. He had the intention to but not

putting it into action.