Lesson 1 : APPLICATION:

Answer the following questions:

1. What do you think are the benefits of knowing the literary history of the other
ASEAN Nations?

I think that there are array of benefits upon knowing the literary history of
other ASEAN nations. Aside from gaining and understanding the way they write and
tell story of their roots, it is clear that it makes the foundation of their country's
identity unique from others. The techniques being used in every literary piece reflects
the colors and richness of a specific country from the aspect of values, belief system,
down to tradition and culture. Without these, there will be no representation of how
beautiful, creative, and diverse a country is.

2. How would you identify the literary history of other members of the ASEAN while
maintaining your sense of nationality as a Filipino?

ASEAN members, as to my point, do possess diversity when it comes to

literature and culture. It is of a fact that Asia has become a melting pot of culture. If I
were to describe other country's literary history, I would define it as unique and well-
flavored. As a Filipino, learning other's literature is a way of bridging the gap that
leads us to misconception and stereotyping. I do not see any problem arising from
learning other's way of thinking and trying to synthesize it but we must always bare in
mind that we have to first familiarize our very own heritage. On a personal note, we
have to stand and look back how colorful Filipino literature is and pay tribute to our
own pieces. As a student and as a youth, I adhere the preservation of our root and
identify. As technology continue to conquer all the of the world, we can use it for our
advantage - educating people through modern means and platforms. I believe that the
key towards national identity preservation sits on education still and so by educating
not only the youngsters but also the adults of how amazing and colorful our own
literary history is, we can bring back the lost legacy of our ancestors.
Lesson 2 : APPLICATION:

APPLICATION:

Instruction: Compare and contrast the two Indonesian folktales using the Venn Diagram.
Mention one similarity and three differences.

GUNO AND KUYO

THE LEGEND OF LAKE TOBA
- Hilarious and somehow
near to reality. - Fictional

- More on friendship. - A love story turned into

having a disastrous ending.
- The moral revolves on SIMILARITIES
admitting mistakes and not - The moral tackles more of
- Both literary being patient, controlling
trying to cover it up with
piece is from one's emotions, and do not
childish manners.
Indonesia. break promises.
-

Instruction: Using the story map below, choose one fiction from Thai literature and
answer the following exercise:
STORY MAP

Title: CHAMPOON by Dhep Mahapaoraya

Characters : Champoon, Nai Amnuey, Taokae Soon, Anita

Settings : Taimuang, Pangnga Thailand. The story happened day and night.

Beginning : It all began when the unnamed narrator was in the hospital and met Nai
Amnuey, one of the story's main characters; he is a twenty-seven to twenty-eight gorgeous
man who speaks five languages and has the demeanor of a well-bred gentleman. The narrator
immediately asks Nai Amnuey if he is from Bhuket. Nai Amney, on the other hand, claimed
to be from Taimuang, at the district's heart. Taimuang, he claimed, was home to champoons,
crocodiles, and iron chains.

Middle : Champoon's tragic love story was recounted by Nai Amnuey. She is the lovely
daughter of Taokeae Soon, who becomes Nai Amnuey's greatest competitor. Champoon and
Nai Amnuey had their forbidden love, and Champoon's father, Taokae Sooon, was furious.
As a result, he decided to confine Champoon inside the house so she wouldn't be able to visit
Nai Amnuey. While Champpon is imprisoned, Nai Amnuey is heartbroken since he is
unable to see the love of his life. His pals agreed to give him a half-Filipina, half-Portuguese
daughter named Anita.

Ending : Champoon attempted to flee several times, even getting thrashed by his father,
because she was desperate to see and visit Nai Amnuey. Champoon was successful in her
escape one morning. She quickly goes to Nai Amnuey's residence, which is quite far away
and across a crocodile-infested river. Champoon found Nai Amnuey and Anita together in
one bed, but it wasn't the proper time.She was in such pain that she fled. After the search,
they discovered a leg with an iron chain. Crocodiles are known to consume Champoon,
according to legend.

Lesson 3 : APPLICATION:

LESSON 3: APPLICATION
Instruction: Use the story map below to analyze Fatimah Busu’s “A Time Once Past”.

Title and Author : A Time Once Past by Fatimah Busu

Main character : Khadijah, Deraman, Esah, Si Timah, Jenab, Si Kiah

Supporting characters : Make Cik Jirah, Mat Yin, Bidah, Si Kaslum, Cik Su, Haj Tuk,
Bakar, Make Cik Embung, Pako Cik Amat, Tuk Wa Lunat, Mao Cik Gayah, Yaakub, Zakaria

Settings : Riverbank/River, Khadijah's house, Kampung Morak

Problem : he Japanese troops invaded they village and force to take all males, young and old
to serve the Japanese empire. As male's role is to take care of farmlands and paddy and as
they are taken away, women of their village aren't able to substitute to the work of their
husbands because they are not used to it. Furthermore, they are afraid of the military troops
as they approach villages.

Solution : The problem was resolved when Zakaria apprear to the village shouting the good
message that the Japanese has already surrendered to the whites.

APPLICATION:

INSTRUCTION: Complete the table below by supplying the necessary details:

Elements of Poetry In the Distance Sunflowers for a From “F.M.S.R A

 Friend Poem”

Symbolisms Used -Adam and Eve -Sunflower -Wandering jews

Two Figurative - Allusion -Simile -Simile

Language (e.g.
- Metaphor -Allusion -Onomatopoeia
Simile, Metaphor,
Irony, Hyperbole,
Personification etc.)

Revise one stanza

in your own words
- 4th stanza - End of 2nd stanza -2nd to the last
(indicate which
and beginning of stanza
stanza) In the distance.
the 3rd stanza
Time flies when
In the snow-field
We don't get to you're having fun.
The flower of choose our fate on
As in the case of
negligence sprouts this planet.
clouds in the sky,
Rise and spread neither the soil nor
Tick-tock, tick-
and covers the land the weather of our
tock, tick-tock right
childhood.
The serenity of the in front of you,
beginning Despite the best
Putting aside
efforts, some plants
Turns paradise of twenty minutes of
will distort or stunt,
cacophony daylight,
go to seed, or die.
 In the distance. What a squander of
time.

APPLICATION:

INSTRUCTION: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences and direct to the
point.

1. What is the significance of the title to the story’s plot?

- The significance of the story's title to the plot is that it gradually foreshadow and give
hint to the reader of what the story is all about. The story illustrate the life of the narrator's
grandfather as the focus of the narrative.

2. Assume the role of the author, revise the ending or resolution part of this short story.

- Heading back to his room, grandfather glanced back and speak, “the woman has died
but for the man her memory lives”. The love they have for each other will forever be existing
as time continue to fly. Soon, they will be reunited and by that time there will be no
hindrances, no pain and suffering and they will continue the story they’ve started.

APPLICATION: Answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences only. Cite your own
observations and do not just depend on what is published by literary critics online.

•In “May Day Eve”, how did Joaquin incorporate magic realism as main theme of the story?
Have you had any superstitious belief that your family believed in through generations?

- Joaquin incorporate magic realism as the theme of his literary piece entitled “May
Day Eve” by using a technique that will allure the readers and we Filipinos can relate to
because our culture speaks so much when it comes to superstition. He carried the story from
one side of the table to another by combining the elements of reality and fiction. At first, the
story was true to life hence to add thrill it suddenly shifts Into something that is unbelievable.

•In the poem, “Bonsai” what type of figurative language did Tiempo use in the title? Why?

- Tiempo uses the figurative language symbolism to her poem entitled “Bonsai”. She
use the plant bonsai to represent and illustrate her experiences in life.

•In the poem, “The Conversion”, do you think the persona was successfully converted into a
straight man? What could have happened if the conversion did not take place in the drum?
- Yes, I think that the persona in the poem had successfully converted into a straight
man. Though at some point there are hesitation and huntsvfrom the past, he stands for it and
take it as part of his life. The poem entails much more of a reminiscing type in which the
author looks back and illustrate things that has happened in the past. If the conversion did not
take place in drum, I think the persona will not become straight man and he wilo be the
person he wanted to be.

Lesson 4 : APPLICATION: Create your own version of a legend of a Philippine kakanin or

rice cake.

The Legend of Rice cake

By: Novee Largo

Long time ago, in the islands of the Philippines, there live a king named Felipe. The
king was picky and demanding on the things that he like especially to matters related to food.
He has a very high standards and is perfectionist. One day, Felipe crave for a new flavor. He
wanted something new to his eyes and taste buds. As rice is a staple food on his table, he
require everyone under his power and authority to create delicacy out from grains of rice. He
mandated his people to spread this message to the entire island that there will be a
competition taking place and that each barrio must have there participants.

In a small barrio known as Masagana, everyone is living a simple life. They live
happily and contented to what they have. They enjoy the bounty of nature and the gifts of
land. On a hit summer day, the messenger from the king arrived in the barrio and announced
the mandate. Everyone was shocked not because they are not capable of competing but
because they don't know whom they are going to send. They used to eat what they harvest
from the farm and they don't know much of creating something out from grains of rice. They
were in the state of being problematic. Luckily, the chief of the barrio presented his daughter
to be their representative. The girl was beautiful, smart, and skillful when it comes to
cooking. She is known to be an expert when it comes to flavor and creativity hence having
her named as Malikhain.

Malikhain then took the challenge and started to study on how she will impress the
king using her style. She begin experimenting and exploring the dimensions of creativity that
she has. When the event is fast approaching, out of nowhere, she felt no courage at all in
pursuing it. She was so discourage of not finding the right flavor and what she is going to
present in front of the king and so her father decided to take her to the mountain top for her to
release her anxiousness.

Malikhain took the time to meditate and dig deeper more on her core and to where she
came from. The barrio was surrounded by rice fields but they use to eat it as it is. They just
cook it the way they want it. Suddenly, an idea popped up in her mind. Why not pulverized
the rice grains and make it something new. She knew that the king has a special heart for
kakanins as he loves drinking coffee. She went down the mountain and start the experiment
again. All of a sudden, she created a new and delicious delicacy and she call it rice cake.

When the competition had come, she was of full confidence presenting her output.
She even put colors to the rice cake for everyone to be allured and to crave as well. When the
king ate the rice cakes, he was in loved with it. More that anybody's creation, the rice cakes
made by Malikhain set the bar to the highest point making it to the top spot and the winner.
Everyone in the barrio Masagana was proud of the achievement of Malikhain and so they
created lots of rice cakes for everyone in the land can eat and taste it. From then, the rice
cakes became part and became known to the rest of the island.

APPLICATION: Answer the following in your own words. Use only 2-3 sentences per
question.

Explain Ho Xuan Huang’s symbolism of the pavilion in the poem “Spring Watching
Pavilion” and jackfruit in the poem “The Jackfruit”.
- The pavilion in Ho Xuan Huang's Spring Watching Pavilion symbolizes the author's desire
for solitude and a scorn for the ways of the civilized world as central threads. In the poem
The Jackfruit, the Jackfruit represents a body.
 What is the tone of the poem “Autumn Sadness”? How did this personal appeal to
you?

- The tone of the poem entitled "Autumn sadness" is dramatic at the same time it makes me
feel sad as it is illustrated there that autumn will end soon. I was carried out by the poem
because of the way it was created was so amazing and heart touching.

APPLICATION: Fill out the story map using the details of “From the Land of Green
Ghosts”.

Exposition
 Recounting his childhood as a member of the Kayan (Paudaung) tribe in a town in
Shan State is where the author begin the story. Following that comes a valuable and concise
history of Burma, supplemented by an evocation of some of his tribe's key rites and
traditions, as well as a vivid account of village life, complete with buffaloes, shamanism,
soccer matches, and waking up to Paul Anka and the Beatles on the radio.The author enrolled
in seminary at the age of thirteen, but realized he wasn't made out for the priesthood and
instead decided to attend university. In 1984, at the age of seventeen, he embarked on a 375-
mile voyage to Mandalay, an enormous journey in every aspect. "To me, Mandalay (a sleepy
backwater that time forgot, as I subsequently found) was a wonderful metropolis," he writes.

Complication

Burma was plunged into a dreadful financial situation when the government
attempted to combat inflation by declaring most units of currency worthless. Many people
lost everything, and the author was forced to interrupt his studies in order to earn tuition
money – which led him to the job in the Chinese restaurant where he met John Casey.

Crisis

Pascal describes his love affair with Moe, a remarkable Burman woman, in this
section of the book. This was the point at which the author's political consciousness was
awoken. Initially, his primary concern was that his university remain open. However, he
became politicized as a result of student protests that erupted in the aftermath of the 1988
killing of a student in Rangoon and BBC reports of riot police slaughtering protesting
students.

Climax

Then his fiancée, Moe, was arrested, imprisoned, and tortured, despite the author's
knowledge that she had been a "underground freedom fighter" (including a savage beating
and gang rape). "This is what you get if you ask for 'democracy' and fucking freedom," her
tormentors told her. The author tried to help her recover her broken health and spirit, but she
"vanished" two weeks later and her body was never found. Moe died "from natural causes"
while incarcerated, according to the authorities.
 The author returned to his village, but was unable to reconcile his sentiments of
security upon seeing scenes from his youth with his sadness at what he had observed in
Mandalay, not just Moe's murder but a massacre of nonviolent protesters he had witnessed
firsthand. He listened to the BBC World Service religiously and took his anguish to bed every
night, where he described himself as "laying like a corpse." But, despite his father's early
admonition to leave politics "to Burmans," he became determined to strive for change in
Burma.

Denouement

His first political speech was less than a month before the coup d'etat that installed
SLORC, the unlawful government that still governs Burma today, currently known as the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).

Following that, the author describes a period of student organizing and his escape into
the bush, during which the Burmese military hunted him and other students as if they were
animals. Hundreds of people, including the author, risked their lives to reach sections of the
country controlled by Karen guerillas fighting for an independent state for decades. Many
students were killed by explosives, mortars, in battle, and malaria and dysentery while
training and fighting against the military there.

Resolution

The author snuck a letter to John Casey, the don he had met in the restaurant, from
this military camp, thanks to a visiting Western journalist. Casey followed up with money
and books, and eventually accompanied the author to the British Embassy in Bangkok. The
author is escorted to the identical suite of rooms where the Queen had stayed by the
Ambassador personally. Michael Aris, who had two boys with Aung San Suu Kyi, was also
residing at the Embassy.

The author was on a plane to England not long after that. He then spent years in
Cambridge, where he was the first Padaung to attend Western University and the first
Burmese to receive an honors degree in English literature from the university.
Lesson 5 : APPLICATION: Answer the question in 2-3 sentences only.

What is the relevance of the oral tradition, “Vorvong and Sorvong”? Recall a similar tale in
Philippine literature and discuss what you know about it.

- I think that the relevance of the oral tradition Vorving ans Sorvong lies on the way
they are passed down to another generation. There might be some variations but still the core
or the theme of it hasn't been changed, the variations entail that diversity and richness makes
the story more and more improved. If I can recall something similar to the tale that has also
been orally passed down from olds to youngsters before it was written down it would be Biag
ni Lam-ang, an epic from Ilocos region.

MODULE ASSESSMENT

1. Choose three countries’ literary piece and make a short analysis on its similarity
and differences.

- Indonesia's Legend of Lake Toba, Thailand's Champoon, and Singapore's

Grandfather's story. The three literary pieces is similar in a sense that their main theme is
lovestory. The legend of Lake Toba was a lovestory ended in a horrible disaster as the male
character broke his promise not to spill out the secret of his wife. Champoon was a tragic
lovestory where the male character died not but curse but is eaten buy an animal. And the
grandfather’s story was a lovestory which the main character is stuck between his past love
and the other one. The three literary pieces differs in the way the storyline is delivered as
appeared in the above descriptions therefore making them unique in their own ways.

2. Write a one-paragraph realizations on the ASEAN literary pieces and its impact
to you as a Filipino reader.
- Human race is indeed diverse and we celebrate our diversity through looking at our
culture and practices, as well putting our thoughts into written pieces. What I realized upon
reading every given literary piece is that they are conveyed in a uniquely manner. Each
country has a different attack on how they will be able to relay the message the want to pass
on. This unique characteristics of imparting a message makes each country capable of
providing multitude and wide scope of topics. Each piece pays tribute to the place they came
from and they tell stories concisely. This for me makes each reader appreciate each literary
works as they are able to dig deep about the piece.

FINAL REQUIREMENT

Task 1: Search 5 Genres of Literature.

1. Prose fiction - An imaginary story usually written down. A narrative that someone tells
everyday using natural language. Prose fiction is the most organic of writing styles, using a
natural narrative inspired by how the world digests language – a colloquial take on fiction
storytelling that is constantly evolving.(i.e novels, short stories, fables, fairy tales, legends,
films, comic books, video games)

2. Poetry - Evocative and aesthetic quality of the language are brought out in Lieu. Relies
heavily on imagery, figurative language and sound devices. Poetry is a type of literature
based on the interplay of words and rhythm. It often employs rhyme and meter (a set of rules
governing the number and arrangement of syllables in each line).

3. Drama - Designat e to be acted on stage by actors before audience. Drama is a mode of

fictional representation through dialogue and performance. It is one of the literary genres,
which is an imitation of some action. Drama is also a type of a play written for theater,
television, radio, and film.

4. Non-fiction Prose - Refers to any kind of prose writing that is based on facts. Well-written
prose deals with real people, things, events and places. Characterized by having truth in
reporting and logic in reasoning. Nonfictional prose genres cover an almost infinite variety of
themes, and they assume many shapes. The genres include political and polemical writings,
biographical and autobiographical literature, religious writings, and philosophical, and moral
or religious writings.

5. Creative Non-fiction - Uses literary styles and techniques to create factually accurate
narratives. (i.e Journals of self-expression, letters, magazines, articles and other expression of
imagination either be fiction or non-fiction). Creative nonfiction uses various literary
techniques to tell true stories. Writing creative nonfiction requires special attention to
perspective and accuracy.

Task 2: Genres of Literature in ASEAN nations

BRUNEI (Genre: Poetry)

Borneo' Green Heart by Neldy Jolo (Poem)

A gem of a nation

An abode of peace

A treasure of empire

A haven of tranquility

A kingdom of treasures

An oasis of modern empire

A space of warmth greeting

A den of hospitable people

A neoclassical form of politics

A gateway to beyond comports

An avenue of understanding

An environment of treasures

An ancient Sultanate kingdom

An indeed pampering Brunei Darussalam.

You should achieve more, much more than
you’ve done,

Learning: The poem exemplifies the endearing beauty and of

not Borneo.
indulge inItself-praise
connotes for
theachievement
notthere.
appreciation of the place and how welcoming people living grand.Through time, the place

hasn't been affected by change and its core existence gives people
Nature a background
knows no defeat andofsohow
should you,
colorful and lively place it is.
victorious you’ll emerge as you persist and
wait.

Into a mountain you’ll grow not shrink into a

You Are Who You Are by Alicia M. Advincula (Poem) mound,

by straining your potential until success is

(Dedicated to all students in Brunei)
found.

Yes, you’ll be the greatest, the greatest of all,

You are who you are- a unique creature. ‘cause you’re not born by chance, that’s what

All men are your brothers but you’re different and rare. you’re here for.

None that came before, none that lives today,

nor one that lives tomorrow would ever be like you.

You are a unique rarity of nature’s creation,

an end product of changes through years of evolution.

So you’re well-equipped in both body and mind,

as any other creatures, emperors and wise men.

Within you burns a flame of discontent,

raging so fiercely for years and generations.

It scorches your spirit, a constant irritation-

an eagerness to be better, as you journey on.

You have unlimited potential that should be put to use,

lest it will rot and die, stagnate and run dry.

You should achieve more, much more than you’ve done,

and not indulge in self-praise for achievement not grand.

Learning: The poem illustrate how we students should view ourselves as we are all unique in
our individual lives. It encourages the subject to be a dreamer and an achiever by letting their
burning desire outshine and turned them into actions.

CAMBODIA (Genre: Prose fiction)

The King and the Buffalo Boy (Short story)

Once upon a time, a king and his ministers were hunting in the forest. While the king
was waiting for his lunch, he saw a small deer bound into the forest. The young horse
galloped briskly after the deer, carrying the king up one path and down another. Soon they
were deep in the forest, and the king knew he was lost. He quieted his sweating horse and
tried to listen for the voices of his ministers and servant. He gently patted his horse and was
guiding her slowly through the trees when he heard the voice of a young boy. “It is me, the
buffalo boy.” The king led his horse into the clearing, and the buffalo boy stepped out to
greet him. The king thought it best to pretend that he was an ordinary man, so he spoke to the
buffalo boy with simple words. “My dear boy, I am lost. My friends made their camp at the
edge of this forest near two large pepper trees. I wandered into this forest with my horse and
now I cannot find them.” “Sir,” the buffalo boy said. The buffalo boy made sure his animals
would be safe and then jumped up behind the king. As they road along, the king thought to
himself “This is a kind and hardworking boy. I wonder if he likes me, his king?” “Then the
king asked “My dear boy, do you know the king who rules this country?” “I don’t know what
you mean” the puzzled boy answered “My grandmother used to tell me stories about kings. I
don’t even know where a king lives.” “Oh, that would be fun,” replied the buffalo boy. The
king said “If you lead me out of the forest to meet my friends, I will give you money, and I
will also show you a king. Remember now, if you watch carefully, you will know which man
is a king.” The buffalo boy promised the king that he would watch everyone carefully. Soon
they arrived at the edge of the forest near two large pepper trees. Now, all the ministers and
servants had been terribly worried about the king. When they saw him riding safely out of the
forest, they all jumped up and took off their hats. The king turned around to the buffalo boy
and proudly asked “Now, my dear boy, do you know who is king?” The overjoyed buffalo
boy laughed. “Oh!” the buffalo boy protested. In the story, the buffalo boy resembles the
youth while the king resembles the elders.

INDONESIA (Genre: Prose fiction)

Malin Kundang (Short story)

Once upon a time, on the north coast of Sumatra lived a poor woman and his son.
“Mother, what if I sail overseas?” asked Malin Kundang one day to his mother. Her mother
didn’t agree but Malin Kundang had made up his mind. I want to be a successful person,”
urged Malin kundang. I could only pray to God for you to gain success in life,” said his
mother wisely. “Take a good care of yourself, son,” said Malin Kundang’s mother as she
gave him some food supplies. “Yes, Mother,” Malin Kundang said. Before Malin stepped
onto the ship, Malin’s mother hugged him tight as if she didn’t want to let him go. It had been
three months since Malin Kundang left his mother. She wished to see the ship that brought
Malin kundang home. There was so much prayer that had been said due to her deep love for
Malin Kundang. After several years waiting without any news, Malin Kundang’s mother was
suddenly surprised by the arrival of a big ship in the pier where she usually stood to wait for
her son. When the ship finally pulled over, Malin Kundang’s mother saw a man who looked
wealthy stepping down a ladder along with a beautiful woman. The man was Malin Kundang,
her son. Malin Kundang’s mother quickly went to see her beloved son. “Malin, you’re back,
son!” said Malin Kundang’s mother and without hesitation, she came running to hug Malin
Kundang,“I miss you so much.” But, Malin Kundang didn’t show any respond. My mother
would never wear such ragged and ugly clothes,” said Malin Kundang as he release his
mother embrace. Malin Kundang’s mother take a step back, “Malin…You don’t recognize
me? I’m your mother!” she said sadly. “Give her some money so she won’t disturb me
again!” Malin Kundang’s mother cried as she was dragged by the bodyguard,”Malin… my
son. Why do you treat your own mother like this?” Malin Kundang ignored his mother and
ordered the ship crews to set sail. Malin Kundang’s mother sat alone in the pier. But if he is, I
cursed him to become a stone,” she prayed to the God. In the quiet sea, suddenly the wind
blew so hard and a thunderstorm came. Malin Kundang’s huge ship was wrecked.

Mouse Deer and Tiger (Short story)

While he was walking in the forest, he saw Mouse Deer. The tiger wanted to eat him. Tiger
slowly ducked, crawled, approaching Mouse Deer, then…”Gotcha!” said Tiger. You’ll be my
lunch!” said Tiger. Mouse Deer didn’t want to be his lunch. The King has ordered me to
guard his cake,” said Mouse Deer calmly. “His cake?” said Tiger curiously. The King doesn’t
want anyone else to eat it, so he ordered me to guard it,” Mouse Deer pointed the buffalo’s
dung. “Just one little bite, Mouse Deer! But now you will be my lunch.” Mouse Deer looked
around and saw a wasp nest in a tree.“I’m sorry, Tiger. The King has ordered me to guard his
drum,” said Mouse Deer calmly. “His drum?” said Tiger curiously. The King doesn’t want
anyone else to hit it,” Mouse Deer pointed the wasp nest. “Can I hit the King’s drum?” Tiger
asked. “Just one little hit, Mouse Deer! Tiger then reached up and hit the wasp nest. That a
wasp nests!” Tiger ran away. He jumped in and stayed underwater as long as he could. Then
he jumped out. But now you will be my lunch.” Mouse Deer looked around and saw a cobra.
The King has ordered me to guard his belt,” said Mouse Deer calmly. “His belt?” said Tiger
curiously. It’s the best belt in the world. The King doesn’t want anyone else to wear it,”
Mouse Deer pointed the cobra. The King would be very angry,” said Mouse Deer refused.
The King would be very angry,” said Mouse Deer refused. The King would be very angry,”
said Mouse Deer refused. “Just for one moment, Mouse Deer! The King will never know,”
said Tiger. The King will never know,” said Tiger. The King will never know,” said Tiger.
But first let me run far away, so the King won’t blame me,” said Mouse Deer. But first let me
run far away, so the King won’t blame me,” said Mouse Deer. But first let me run far away,
so the King won’t blame me,” said Mouse Deer. “All right, Mouse Deer. “All right, Mouse
Deer. “All right, Mouse Deer. You can go now.” Mouse Deer ran quickly out of sight. You
can go now.” Mouse Deer ran quickly out of sight. You can go now.” Mouse Deer ran
quickly out of sight. Mouse Deer! Help!” But Mouse Deer was already far away. Mouse Deer
was safe from Tiger now.
 In consolidating the love we feel

Grows by leaps and bounds despite the bill

Your family sprang on me to deal and kill

The foundations you and I have built

Over the years to fight to the hilt

Any machinations to pour heaps of silt

Into our love cogs

Meaning love should don cogs

Saunter under coercion in bogs and fogs

LAOS (Genre: Poetry) To prove its strength

Walking on hot coals at length

Chaos in Laos by John Sensele (Poetry)
If truth should pervade and invade love width
Looked up and down, right and left

Wondering why life suffers a theft To delight your parents

Subtracted beauty from my chin cleft So worried and harried by overdue rents

We owe for domestic tents

If I deserved and preserved the best

Administering his coup the grace
My love could lavish to attest
As we lie panting on yellow grass
Why my love passed a preset test
Listening to soothing sounds of brass

Under dodgy durations of circumstances Whispering osculation and consolation

Amid an attempt at immolation

Pummeling endeavours made in instances
Our love sustains not in isolation
That diminished and dwindled distances
But in tandem

With a hustled harem

Which sings its ultimate knell anthem.

Acknowledged to reveal robust character

On a bus, on a train, on foot, on a tractor

Where we determined adversity no longer a factor

To delight your parents

So worried and harried by overdue rents.

We owe for domestic tents

That accommodate our nights and days

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays

Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Shared with supreme care

Far beyond compare

Even when evil eyes stare

Willing you and I could disintegrate

To delight the flight of the ingrate

Who wishes our relationship could migrate

Into Dante's Hades

Struck by full blown Aids

Enfeebled and disabled in beds

Where to detractors we surrender

Stuck owing bucks to the vendor

Who dares to crush our love in his blender

Learning: The message of the poem illustrates the love of the persona to his parents. The
title is very far from the content but I guess it is a strategy to drive readers and be curious.
The love of the son and the relationship of parents-children should grow and prosper no
matter hardship is encountered along the walk of their lives.

Phonsavan, Laos by Bryan Thao Worra (Poetry)

A stretch and sprawl of plain and hill

Where stones survive the coldest clouds,

You’re jars and trails and scars

Rebuilding your shattered face

One hammered bullet at a time.

The heart of Laos beats here,

Desperate as a bush-meat market

Of endangered beasts

Hungry for change,

Weaving adversity into opportunity.

You’re a place where

The long-haired goddess of Hope

Is always itching to leave, but she’s

A good daughter who always finds

One more chore she’s needed for,

Who never quite makes it out the door.

Learning: The poem embody the idea of being patriotic to one's roots. In here, it is very
obvious how the author put life to words just to highlight where he came from. Most of the
poetry has its hidden meaning but this one states clear the intention of the author and that is to
emphasize the beauty of the place he came from.

MALAYSIA (Genre: Non-fiction Prose)

Tunku Abdul Rahman(1903-1990) : Biography

Tunku Abdul Rahman was chief minister of the Federation of Malaya, the first prime
minister of an independent Malaya and the prime minister of Malaysia.

Who Was Tunku Abdul Rahman?

A Malayan governmental figure since graduating from college, Tunku Abdul Rahman
became his country’s first prime minister and foreign minister after it gained its
independence, continuing in that post when the federation of Malaysia was formed in 1963.
Early Years

Tunku Abdul Rahman was born on February 8, 1903, in Alor Setar, Kedah, in Malaya, a
country then under British control. He was the twentieth child of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim
Shah and Che Manjalara, the sultan’s fourth wife. In 1913, he went to study at Debsurin
School in Bangkok, and in 1919, he was awarded a scholarship to further his studies at
Cambridge University. After a lengthy trip from Singapore aboard a cargo ship, during which
he contracted malaria, Tunku disembarked in the village of Little Stukeley, England. He
graduated from Cambridge in 1925 and returned in 1926 for an honors degree in law. He sat
for the bar exam in 1930 but failed to complete a section of the test and therefore did not pass
on this first try.

Professional Life

In 1931, Abdul Rahman received an appointment as a cadet to the Kedah civil service
and was later an assistant district officer in Kulim. In 1933, he passed the cadet's law exam on
his first attempt, and finally, in 1939, he retook the English bar exam he had failed nine years
before and passed. In 1949, he was called to the bar and was then named deputy public
prosecutor in the Malayan Federal Legal Department, a position he left in 1951 to embark
upon a political career.

A Life In Politics

Abdul Rahman became president of the United Malays National Organization

(UMNO) and spearheaded the alliance between the UMNO and the Malayan Chinese
Association (1951) and that of the UMNO and the Malayan Indian Congress (1955). His
Alliance Party won a sweeping majority in the election of 1955, and Abdul Rahman became
the first chief minister of Malaya. In August, he used his first broadcast as chief minister to
declare his determination in seeking independence from Britain without bloodshed.

Malayan Independence

In January 1956, Abdul Rahman led a mission to London to negotiate for Malayan
independence, in the end securing immediate self-government for Malaya and the promise of
independence by August 1957. That promise was kept, and Abdul Rahman became
independent Malaya’s first prime minister (a post he would retain when the Federation of
Malaysia, which consolidated the countries of Malaya, Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak under
one umbrella, was formed in 1963). At midnight on August 30, he stood at the flagpole in
Merdeka Square, in Kuala Lumpur, when the Union Jack was lowered for the last time and
the new Federation flag was raised.

In September 1970, with his power slipping and Singapore gone from the Federation
for five years, Abdul Rahman relinquished his post as prime minister. He died in 1990 at the
age of 87.

Lee Chong Wei : Biography

Profile

Dato' Lee Chong Wei is a professional Chinese Badminton player of Malaysian

origin. Lee is a singles player. He is the third Malaysian player to be rated ‘first’ for 199
consecutive weeks across the globe and the only one to remain in the ‘number one’ slot for
over a year. Lee is an Olympic medal winner for 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. He was the
only Malaysian to qualify for the ‘men’s singles’ in the Olympics. He was honoured with the
title of ‘Dato’ by the Malaysian Prime Minister, who called him a ‘national hero’.

Early Career

Lee Chong Wei made a slow start in his career as a Badminton player. He won two
titles in 2004; the Malaysia Open and the Chinese Taipei Open. He made his first appearance
in the 2004 Olympics. He secured two titles, Malaysia Open and the Denmark Open in 2005.
He won the ‘Bronze’ in the World Championships 2005.
 Lee was well on his way to achieving victory. He was conferred the winner of the
Swiss Open and the Asian Badminton Championships. He won his third Malaysian Open.
Lee did his country proud in the Commonwealth Games 2006, winning two ‘gold medals’ in
the ‘singles’ and ‘mixed team’. Lee was rated twice at the ‘top’ in the Badminton World
Federation's world rankings.

Lee won the Indonesia Open crown, the Philippines Open, the Japan Open, and the
French Open in 2007. Lee was the undisputed winner of the Sudirman Cup. Adding another
feather to his cap, Lee won his fourth Malaysian Cup in 2008. He bagged his seventh
consecutive victory at the National Badminton Grand Prix Final 2008. Lee won a title in the
Super Series Masters Finals.

Success smiled on Lee Chong Wei when he won the Swiss Open defeating his
Chinese Opponent Lin Dan for the first time outside the home turf in 2009. He bagged his
fifth Malaysian Open title. Lee won the Indonesia Open, the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold,
the Macau Open and the Hong Kong Open in 2009.

Heights

Lee made his first landmark in the Super Series titles. It was no major feat that he won
the All England Open, the world’s most esteemed badminton championship; his first. Lee
bagged the only title not won by Chinese players, when he defeated Lin Dan in the Japan
Open. The year 2010 was quite eventful for Lee Chong Wei. He won the ‘Gold Medal’ in the
Commonwealth Games, 2010 and a ‘silver medal’ in the Asian Games. Lee bagged his
second consecutive Hong Kong Open title and third consecutive Super Series Master Finals
title.

Lee was recognised by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak for winning the All England
Open for the third time in a row in 2011. He tasted success for the first time in India Open.
Lee became the first non-Indonesian player to win the Indonesian Open for three consecutive
times.

Lee Chong Wei won a ‘silver medal’ in the Olympic Games 2012. Lee won the ninth
Malaysian Open title in 2013 and beat the record of maximum number of home titles held by
Wong Peng Soon. He bagged the Masters Finals title for the fourth time in the Super Series
tournament. Lee won his tenth Malaysian Open title in 2014. He grabbed the Japan Open for
the third year in a row.
 Lee won the US Open, Canada Open and the French Open in 2015. He won his first
China Open title by defeating Lin Dan, his arch rival. This was Lee’s first victory over Lin
Dan on Chinese soil. Lee became the first Badminton player in men’s singles to win all the
titles of the Super Series.Rio Olympics, 2016At the Rio Olympics, 2016, he shrugged off
eight years of Olympic heartbreak to defeat China's Lin Dan 15-21, 21-11, 22-20 and reach
the final of the men's badminton. But in the final, China’s Chen Long ended Lee Chong
Wei’s final bid for an Olympic gold medal, scoring a close 21-18, 21-18 victory.

Recognitions

Lee won the silver medal in the Olympic Games 2008 and 2012. He was accorded a
life-time pension of RM 3,000 a month. Lee was honoured with a Darjah Setia Pangkuan
Negeri (DSPN), symbolising the title Dato' by the Penang Governor, Tun Abdul Rahman
Abbas.

Lee was made the Malaysian National Ambassador for UNICEF in 2009. He was
conferred the Darjah Bakti (DB) award, from Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin for his
accomplishments in the Olympics 2008. Lee was made the Ambassador for the KDU
University College in 2011.

Lee won the Penang Sportsman Award in 2005 and six times consecutively from
2007 to 2012. He was awarded the National Sportsman Award and the BWF Player of the
Year Award four times. Lee bagged the TYT Prime Award Trophy and the Olympian of the
Year Award thrice and twice respectively. He was conferred the Sportswriters Association of
Malaysia (SAM) Award in 2008. Lee was named the Most Popular Icon on Television Award
by RTM in 2013.

Awards

2012 - Olympian of the Year

2009 - BWF Player of the Year

2008 - National Sportsman, Sportswriters Association of Malaysia

2005 - Penang Sportsman Know

 Arise! Wake up from the slumber,

Needless to say by them we are needed,

Done with the selfish comfort zone,

MYANMAR (Genre: Poetry) The oppressed voice need to be heeded,

Reaching out the ears of the world,

Myanmar 2021 by Joselito Rizaldo (Poetry)
Are the sons and daughters of democracy,
My heart is torn and shattered,
Men and women fearless to uphold,
Yelling at the monster tyrant, Prowess and guts 'gainst tyranny,

And the torture remains unbothered,

None of them heard my dire rant, Lovers of democracy!

Enemies of tyranny!

Do what we are to be!

My spirit is burning with fiery anger,

Against these murderers of democracy,

Reigning in arrogance and firepower,

Myanmar on the brink of atrocity,

Anyone there that raises her voice,

Sooner will lie dead in the ground,

Someone rather has to make this choice,

Atoning life ‘til justice would resound,

Countries around the world, do you care?

Remember now it is Myanmar,

Evening soon may take them over,

Day to remind of who we are,

Religious teachings innocuous

Learning: The author of the poem gives life to the unfortunate situations happening in
Be them of Buddha, Muhammad or Jesus
Myanmar during the last few months. I have seen his dedication to express how he feel in his
Where are your wits, where is the focus?
writings and his aspiration to have a better situation on his motherland. It is a way of calling
Insensitive,
the attention of the highest authorities outside the country to takevicious
action. and callous
Await the leaping Hell-fire’s tentacles
Bloodshed in Myanmar by Mohammad Yamin (Poetry)
----
The sky is red by the blood being shed

The conscience of civilized world asleep

Where in the world is humanity being lead

Here is a corpse there is a throat cut deep

Vultures are feasting, dogs devouring

Devils dancing, angels clamoring

Monsters feasting, demons dancing

Guns tottering, weapons wielding

Is Muslim blood thinner?

Easy to be shed without remorse

Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kashmir and now Myanmar

And existing Al-Qaida, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Taliban’s curse

Tortuous perils and vulnerability,

Fanatical sectarianism’s brutality

The two-edged sword of bigotry

Parochial savagery and barbarity

Learning: The poem illustrates the hardship and the struggles of people over a life and death
situation. It also pinpoint how religion leads us to divisiveness instead of bringing people
together.

PHILIPPINES (Genre: Creative Non-fiction)

Elpidio Quirino’s Love Letters to His Wife (Letter)

October 20, 1924

My dearest Alicia,

Today is your birthday. I deeply regret that my duties here have prevented me from
joining in the celebration of your coming of age and gaining your complete independence.

I expected to touch your fresh cheeks with my kisses, your last kisses as a minor.

Yes, Alicia, you are a woman now, respectable and respected. On this day, you begin a life
that is broader and more sober than you have known, with a more complex and nurtured
sense of responsibility.
Learning: The letter of Elpidio to her wife was sweet. Imagine he has his duty to serve the
Filipino people but he manages to send his message thru letter to his beloved wife. Elpidio
breaks the limitations of giving efforts as he cannot attend the celebration. He is a man of this
words and a perfect husband.

Liham Para Kay Oryang by Andres Bonifacio (Letter)

Ika-1 Mayo 1897

Mahal kong Oryang,

Mali ka. Hindi kita nakasalubong upang sa dulo ng kalsada, ako ay liliko sa kanan at
ikaw sa kaliwa. Sapagkat saan man tayo dalhin ng ating pakikibaka, ikaw lang ang aking
itatangi at makailang ulit na ihaharap sa pulang bandila.

Hindi tayo nagpalitan ng mga kwento upang sa pinakahuling tuldok ng pangungusap,

ang karugtong ay alingawngaw ng katahimikan. Walang pagod kitang aawitan ng himnong
pambayan, Oryang.

Hindi kailanman ako mauubusan ng salita upang maialay sa iyo bilang mga tula.
Maging ang bulong at buntung-hininga’y magpapahayag ng pagsinta sa tulad mong umiibig
din sa bansa.

Hindi tayo sabay na tumawa, nagkatinginan, at tumawa pa nang mas malakas, upang
sa paghupa ng halakhak ay may butil ng luha na mamimintana sa ating mga mata. Loobin
man ng Maykapal na pansamantala tayong magkawalay, tandaan mong ang halakhak at
sigaw ng ating mga kasamahan ay sa akin rin.

Hindi ka dapat masabik sa akin sapagkat ako’y mananatili sa iyong piling. Hindi kita
niyakap nang ilang ulit upang sa pagkalas ng mga braso ko sayo ay maramdaman mong
iniiwan kita. Habambuhay akong magiging tapat sa ating panata, Oryang. Kapara ng
binitawan kong sumpa sa ngalan ng bayan, tayo’y mananatiling katipun, kawal, at bayani ng
ating pagmamahalan.

Hindi tayo bumuo ng mga alaala sa umaga, tanghali at gabi upang sa muli mong
paggising ay maisip mong hindi tayo nagkasama sa pakikidigma. Hindi ko man hawak ang
bukas, nais kong tanganan mo ang aking pangako na ilang ulit kong pipiliing mabuhay at
pumanaw upang patunayan sa iyong mali ka. At kung magkataong ako’y paharapin sa ating
anak na si Andres, buo ang loob kong haharap sa kanya at sasabihin ko sa kanyang mali ka.
Hindi ako bumati sa simula upang sa huli ay magpaalam.

Ikaw ang aking bayan,

Andres

Learning: The letter is much of expressing the love of Andres Bonifacio to her wife. Each
words in the letter speaks how much he wanted to be with Oryang but he chose not to
because of his love to this country. Andres Bonifacio is an epitome of heroism, an exemplary
image of a Filipino who always fight for what is right and for what he love.
SINGAPORE (Genre: Non-fiction Prose)

Elizabeth Choy

Elizabeth Choy Su Moi nee Elizabeth Yong,also known as Yong Su Moi2 (b. 29
November 1910,3 Kudat, Sabah–d. 14 September 2006, Singapore), is noted for being a war-
time heroine during the Japanese Occupation and the only woman member in the Legislative
Council in 1951. A Hakka from North Borneo,Choy was the first principal of the Singapore
School for the Blind in 1956,6 and was known for her qipaos (traditional Chinese dress) and
bangles, for which she was nicknamed “Dayak woman of Singapore”.She also posed as an
artist’s model for the famed sculptress, Dora Gordine, who created two works featuring Choy
entitled “Serene Jade” and “Flawless Crystal”.
Early life

Choy was born in Kudat in British North Borneo (today’s Sabah). Her great-
grandparents had been assisting German missionaries in Hong Kong and their work brought
them to North Borneo. There, the Yong family set up a coconut plantation.Her father was the
eldest in a family of 11 children and after completing his early education in China with some
English education in North Borneo, he gained employment as a civil servant.Marrying the
daughter of a priest from a well-respected family in North Borneo, he was transferred to
Jesselton and was later promoted to District Officer before moving to Borneo’s interiors in
Kalimantan.Choy was looked after by a Kadazan nanny and acquired Kadazan as her first
language.

Education

As there were no educational facilities in the town of Tenom, Choy and her siblings
were sent back to Kudat where her paternal grandfather ran the village school, teaching in
Chinese (Hakka). Her higher education was taken between 1921 and 1929 at St Monica’s
School, an Anglican missionary boarding school in Sandakan. Because the teachers could not
pronounce Chinese names, Choy adopted the English name Elizabeth. In 1925, she and her
aunt, Jessie, became the first girls to sign up for North Borneo’s inaugural Girl Guides
Company.

In December 1929, Choy came to Singapore to further her studies at the Convent of
the Holy Infant Jesus at Victoria Street. She shone academically, obtaining the Prize of Honor
in her first year of school.She resided with her fourth uncle in a double-storey shophouse at
Selegie where he ran a music shop, the original T. M. A. at High Street. The untimely death
of her mother in 1931 and the onset of the Great Depression placed upon her the burden of
raising her six younger siblings. She gave up a college education, even a possible scholarship,
to start work so she could finance the education of her younger siblings.

Japanese Occupation

During the Japanese Occupation, Choy worked as a canteen operator with her
husband at the Mental Hospital which was renamed Miyako Hospital (the predecessor of
Woodbridge Hospital). This was where patients from General Hospital had been moved to.
Choy and her husband secretly brought food, medicine, money, messages and even radios to
British internees. Unfortunately, they were caught by the Japanese and Choy was arrested on
November 1943, following her husband’s arrest on 29 October, a few weeks earlier.
Believing their activities to be related to the Double Tenth incident, Choy was interrogated by
the Kempeitai but she never admitted to being a British sympathiser. She was released only
after 200 days of starvation and repeated torture. Her husband was released much later.

England years

After the war, Choy was invited to England as a celebrated war heroine, being noted
as the only female local to have been incarcerated for such an extended period.She was part
of the privileged few who were invited to Britain to recuperate from the war, and stayed there
for four years. In her first year, she was invited to meet Queen Elizabeth. In her second year,
she undertook Domestic Science at Northern Polytechnic and in her third year, she taught at a
London Council School. Intent on studying art but without the finances for this, Choy
resorted to posing for art instead.The famed sculptress, Dora Gordine, made two sculptures of
Choy – “Serene Jade” and “Flawless Crystal”.Choy gave “Serene Jade” to her daughters
who, in turn, donated it to the Singapore Art Museum. “Flawless Crystal” sits in an art
gallery in Leicester, Britain.

Politics

Choy returned to Singapore in December 1949 and was persuaded to stand for
elections in December 1950 for the West Ward, or Cairnhill constituency, under the banner of
the Labour Party, founded in 1948 by V. J. Mendis. She lost in the 1951 City Council
Elections to the Progressive Party representative, Soh Ghee Soon.However, she was
nominated into the Legislative Council in 1951, becoming the only woman member there.
She served for a full five-year term. As a member of the Legislative Council, she represented
Singapore at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953. She later stood for elections
in Queenstown but bowed out of politics thereafter, believing she could do more for the
country as a teacher.

In the 1950s, she joined the women’s auxiliary of the Singapore Volunteers Corps, and was
instrumental in expanding the organisation when she recruited many of her friends and
colleagues. She made headlines in early 1998, when she included a nude photograph of
herself at a local art exhibition.

Career

1933: Became a teacher at Church of England Zenana Mission School (currently St

Margaret’s School).

1935: Transferred to St Andrew’s Boys’ School, probably the only untrained teacher at that
time.

1949: Began a stint as an artist’s model when she was 39 years old and working in London.
She posed for the famed sculptress, Dora Gordine, who created two works of her entitled
“Serene Jade” and “Flawless Crystal”.

1950–1955: Returned to Singapore, took part in two elections while teaching at St Andrew’s
School.

End 1953–early 1954: Conducted a lecture tour of Malaya in the United States and Canada at
the request of the Foreign Office in London.Prior to the tour, she visited Malaya to get a
better understanding of the country. At the time, Malaya was in the throes of Emergency.

1956–1960: Served as the first principal of the Singapore School for the Blind.

1960–1974: Returned to St Andrew’s Junior School and promoted to Deputy Principal in

1964.

Family

Husband: Choy Khun Heng, whom she met through an old school friend and married on 16
August 1941. It was a double wedding, held in conjunction with her brother, Kon Vui’s,
wedding. Khun Heng worked as a book-keeper at the Borneo Company before the war.

Daughters: Bridget Wai Fong, Lynette Wai Ling and Irene Wai Fun (biologically her niece).
All were adopted in the 1950s.
Awards43

1950: Order of the British Empire / Order of the Star of Sarawak / The Girl Guides Bronze
Medal

1973: Pingkat Bakti Setia, Singapore, for her service of at least four decades in education

Choy passed away on 14 September 2006 at the age of 95, at her home at MacKenzie Road.
She had been diagnosed with advanced cancer of the pancreas one month before her death.

THAILAND ( Genre: Drama)

"Two Worlds" (ทวิภพ) by Thommayanti, 1986 (Drama)

Maneejan finds out that she can travel to the past through a mirror she bought at an
antique shop. That mirror brings her to the place of Khun Luang Akarathep Warakorn, a
government official who lived over a hundred years ago.

Her appearance causes him and everyone in the house a shock. But with her wit, she
gradually gains everyone’s favor. The more times she travels to the past, the more feeling she
and Khun Luang develop for each other.

But, what causes her to travel to the past? Why is she the one chosen? In that time
when Thailand (formerly Siam) was under pressure from Western Colonialism, will she be
able to do anything to help save the country?

While the problem of the country must be solved, Maneejan also faces another
problem - the mirror starts to break. She needs to decide whether to reside with the man she
loves in the past or to go back to the future to continue living her regular life with her family
and friends.

- Adaptations in Drama : The Siam Renaissance (2004), Tawipob (1990, 1994, 2011).
Learning: The drama is about making wise decision. Maneejan's decision must be concise
because it's a critical thing to decide with. Either she chooses to live in the past with his man
or in the future to help his country overcome the crisis. Being in between the choices is hard
but decisions should be made according to that we think is best and right.

“Lineage" (สายโลหิต) by Sopak Suwan, 1981 (Drama)

Krai comes from a family of soldiers and has spent most of his life fighting in battles
and wars for his country. Dao is the youngest daughter of a prominent village chief, who is
very curious and happy go lucky as a youngster. Krai’s older brother marries Dao’s older
sister, sealing the connection between both families. Krai meets Dao as a young girl, and he
spends a lot of time taking care of her, buying her toys and taking her on village outings with
him to the market. Krai and his older brother are called away to defend the border, and he
promises Dao that he will return to take care of her always like an older brother. Years later,
Krai comes back to realize that Dao has grown into a beautiful, young maiden and the good
feelings that both had for each other from years ago resurface into true love.

- Adaptation in Drama : Sai Lohit (1986, 1995, 2003, 2018)

Learning: The drama makes me feel "kilig". What I have leaned is that everything changes
as time time passed by including our feelings to someone. The love story being presented
above is the scene to which everybody is dreaming to have. Destiny finds it's way to both of
them as they see each other after years. A perfect love story indeed.
VIETNAM (Genre: Prose fiction)

Legend of Quan-Am

Thi-Kinh (better known as Quan-Am), a very beautiful and talented young maiden,
was of a humble family yet she was sought in marriage by many of the richest and most
handsome of men. To the surprise of all she refused them and married a poor unattractive
peasant. While life was difficult, Thi-Kinh shared the meanest chores with her husband and
found happiness in doing so.

During one summer siesta-time as her husband was asleep on the hammock, she
noticed a stray hair of his beard growing in the wrong direction. Thinking to cut it off, she got
a sharp knife and approached her husband. But her touch and the feel of the blade caused the
man to jerk his head which wounded him. Frightened he began to call for help and accused
his wife of attempted murder. Utterly dismayed that her husband would think thus, Thi-Kinh
offered no statement and her silence seemed to be an admission of guilt, so she was cast out
of her home as an exile. None took pity upon her. Her family disowned her, her former
suitors and the village women who never forgave her beauty treated her badly. Finally weary
of this, Thi-Kinh sought to renounce the world and seek release in religion. She thus
disguised herself as a man and entered an order of Buddhist monks.
 In spite of the simplicity of her religious clothing and "shaven head", she still was a
very attractive individual, and this was noted by the devotees of the temple. A young girl fell
in love with this "handsome monk". She plead with Thi-Kinh to forsake the religious order
and marry. Thi-Kinh cut her short by asking her to respect the holy vows. The young woman
reacted by having an affair with the first man who sought her out, and when pregnant went to
another village and gave birth to a child. The new mother placed the babe in a basket and left
it at the gate of the temple after writing a note accusing Thi-Kinh of being its father. While
the prior was reading the note, with all the men gathered about, the baby began to cry. With
typically feminine reaction, Thi-Kinh reached down and picked up the baby to quiet it. This
gesture seemed to confirm the charge, and she was expelled from the temple as she had been
from her home.

Pity for the child forced her to beg for herself and the baby. She thus became a
familiar sight as she walked about with the child in her arms and a begging bowl in her hand.
The day came when she could no longer sustain herself, so she returned to the temple and
knocked at the gate of Buddha. She revealed her secret and begged pardon for her sins as well
as for forgiveness of those who had caused her misery. Then in typical Vietnamese story
fashion, she sank to the ground and died. When her story was heard by the Emperor of China,
he was deeply moved by her abnegation and chastity, so by royal decree she was raised to the
rank of divinity with the title of “Quan-Am Tong-Tu”-The Compassionate Protectress of
Children. Today the cult has spread throughout the Far East. Pictures of Thi-Kinh or Quan-
Am are to be found rather widely in Vietnam, and if one visits the old Vietnamese temples
and looks under smoke blackened rafters caused by incense burning and decades of dust there
Quan-Am sits with child in arms, an unchanging smile on a beautiful serene face.

Learning: Revenge has no positive impact. The story just represent that we should always
choose to forgive that make an action that will bear negative results. We should always be
guided by our rationality as individuals to act according to what is right.

Legend of the Water Melon

Once upon a time, the sixth son of King Hung Vuong the Fifth named An-Tiem
disobeyed the King's order and was exiled to a deserted island. The Prince had to build his
own shelter, dig a well for water, and fish and hunt animals for food. One day, he found a
green fruit as big and round as a ball. He split the fruit into halves and found the inside of the
fruit red. He dared not eat it because he was afraid it was poisonous.

Days passed and the dry and sunny season came. It was so hot that all the plants were
dry and the well had no water left. One day An-Tiem was so tired and thirsty that he tasted
the fruit He found out that it tasted delicious and quenched his thirst. He tried to grow the
plant around his house then. Soon the whole island was covered with the green fruit.

An-Tiem carved the island's name and his own on some of the fruit and threw them
into the sea. Later, seamen found the strange fruit with An-Tiem's name floating in the sea.
Soon, words about the fruit reached the continent and many merchants tried to find the way
the island. This then turned the deserted island into a busy island. The island was now
crowded. Many boats came and went. An-Tiem helped anyone who wanted settle on the
island. Soon, news about that reach the King.

King Hung Vuong was very proud of having a son who was brave and strong enough
to overcome difficulties without anyone's help. An-Tiem was immediately summoned back to
the court. He brought his fruit with him to offer the King, his father. The King gave him his
crown and An-Tiem became King Hung Vuong VI. Since then the fruit which was called
"dua hau" and has become the symbol of luck; people often offer it to relatives and friends as
a New Year present.

Learning: Our lives greatly depend on what the nature can offer. The legend entails the
important role of mother nature towards the survival of the main character. In times of crisis
and hunger, we can always lean on to mother Earth and so by that, we must nurture it and
protect it at all cost.