,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b 
,*ILDHOOD 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,NGO ,VAN ,XUYET 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,K5 ,KNABB 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,HEL5E ,FLEURY 

,TEXT 3 

,*APT] #b3 ,*ILDHOOD 

  

,GREAT-,LADY DEP>TS1 

A PAIR ( DEADLY S]P5TS ACCOMPANY ,H]4 

,GREAT-,LADY RETURNS1 

A PAIR ( BLACK DRAGONS ESCORT ,H]4  

,I ?9K MY PRISON COMPANIONS FELT ! SAME AS ,I DID3 PRISON LIFE1 H[EV] 9T5SE1 SEEMS TO SUSP5D TIME1 5C\RAG+ 9MATES TO LOOK BACK AT !IR PA/1 AT !IR *ILDHOOD & ! 0APPR5TICE%IP0 ?AT M>K$ ! C\RSE ( !IR LIFE4 

,I CAME 9TO ! WORLD ONE NI<T 9 #a#i#a#b1 T[>D ! 5D ( ! ,YE> ( ! ,RAT4 ,! VILLAGE CU/OM WAS TO ALL[ A LAPSE ( TIME BE=E REGI/]+ A BIR?1 SO ?AT IF ! 9FANT WAS C>RI$ (F BY EVIL SPIRITS ! P>5TS W\LD BE SP>$ HAV+ TO REVISIT ! REGI/R> TO DECL>E ! DEA? ( !IR NEWBORN4 ,SO ,I WAS (FICIALLY BORN 9 ,APRIL #a#i#a#c4 

,:5EV] A WOMAN 9 ! VILLAGE GAVE BIR?1 MY MO!R WAS SUMMON$4 ,%E HELP$ AS BE/ %E C\LD1 RELY+ ON AGE-OLD PRACTICES4 ,:5 H] TURN CAME TO GIVE BIR?1 %E CUT ! UMBILICAL CORD H]SELF ) A /RIP ( BAMBOO B>K FRE%LY CUT FROM \R H$GE & AS %>P AS A RAZORBLADE4 ,I WAS BORN SWA!D 9 A PURPLE MEMBRANE -- A SIGN ( GOOD =TUNE1 MY MO!R SAID4 

,:5 ! #aiad ,W> BEGAN1 MY OLD] BRO!R -- ,BRO!R ,SEV5 -- WAS ( ! AGE TO BE DRAFT$ 9TO ! 9FANTRY1 I4E4 TO 0PAY HIS BLOOD TAX0 & BECOME EI!R CANNON-FODD] OR A KILL] ( POOR PEOPLE4 ,! VILLAGE NOTABLES.<#a#i.> =CIBLY SEIZ$ Y\NG PEASANTS & S5T !M TO ,FRANCE4 ,?OSE :O RESI/$ W]E TI$ UP1 SUSP5D$ LIKE PIGS FROM A ?ICK POLE1 & TRANSPORT$ TO ! ,VILLAGE ,HALL4 ,ELD] ,BRO!R ,SEV5 ESCAP$ BY LY+ L[ 9 ! P9EAPPLE GROVE & !N LEAV+ = ! CITY TO HIDE \T 9 ! HOME ( ,SI/] ,FIVE4 

,9 ,JANU>Y #a#i#a#f1 #ae TO #b PEASANTS FROM ! ADJO9+ REGION1 >M$ ) MA*ETES & A FEW RIFLES1 ATTACK$ ! ,VILLAGE ,HALLS :]E ! NOTABLES W]E PROCE$+ ) SU* 0VOLUNT>Y 5LI/M5TS40 ,SEIZ+ !IR GU>DS' GUNS1 ! PRISON]S MUT9I$ & JO9$ ! PEASANTS4 ,! AGITATION SPREAD ?R\<\T ,CO*9*9A1 CULM9AT+ 9 ,FEBRU>Y ) AN ATTACK ON ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON 9 ,SAIGON4 ,>\ND ?REE 9 ! MORN+ ON ,FEBRU>Y #ae AN >MADA ( SMALL BOATS BR\<T 9 SOME #c PEASANT REBELS >M$ ) SPE>S1 SWORDS & MA*ETES4 ,9 FRONT ( ! ,C5TRAL ,PRISON !Y KILL$ ! S5TRY & W\ND$ O!R GU>DS4 ,! ,GU>D ,PO/1 H[EV]1 SUCCE$$ 9 BLOCK+ ! 5TRANCE & OP5$ FIRE ON ! ASSAILANTS1 :O DISP]S$ 9 ! GREATE/ CONFUSION1 LEAV+ DEAD & W\ND$ ALL ALONG ! SIDEWALKS4 ,MORE ?AN #ae PEASANTS W]E IMM$IATELY TRI$ 9 MILIT>Y C\RTS4 ,?IRTY-EI<T W]E EXECUT$2 ! RE/ W]E S5T TO ! ,P\LO ,CONDORE P5AL COLONY4.<#b.> ,9 ! C\RSE ( ! YE>1 MORE ?AN A ?\S& REBELS OR SUSPECT$ REBELS FROM ! C\NTRYSIDE W]E *>G$ ) CONSPIRACY & BELONG+ TO SECRET SOCIETIES4 

,HAUNT$ BY ! REPRESSIVE ATMOSPH]E P]VAD+ ! C\NTRY1 MY FA!R TOOK ! PRECAUTION ( REMOV+ ! H&LE FROM HIS MA*ETE1 :I* HE CU/OM>ILY US$ TO PRUNE ! ?ICK SP9Y BAMBOO H$GES >\ND ! H\SE4 

,I WAS FIVE YE>S OLD :5 MY FA!R1 ?\< ONLY A SMALL PEASANT1 WAS ABLE TO PUT A TIL$ RO( OV] \R HEADS1 V]Y CLOSE TO A P9EAPPLE GROVE4 ,WE GA!R$ DEAD BRAN*ES 9 ! GROVE TO COOK \R FOOD4 ,MY MO!R PULL$ T5DRILS FROM ! P9EAPPLE LEAVES TO USE AS SEW+ ?READ4 ,\R ANCE/ORS RE/$ UND] ! BROAD1 \T/RET*$ >MS ( ! CAY GO1 A MASSIVE1 C5TURY-OLD TREE 9 :I* \R ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRITS DWELL$4 ,9 A HOLL[ ?REE MET]S UP ITS TRUNK LIV$ A FAMILY ( [LS4 ,MY BRO!RS CAPTUR$ ! BABY [LS1 :I* WE C>$ = 9SIDE ! H\SE4 ,= SEV]AL NI<TS WE HE>D ! MO!R [L MOAN+ MIS]ABLY1 BUT \R *ILDI% HE>TS REMA9$ PITILESS6 ,WE CAU<T FROGS & TOADS TO FE$ ?OSE W>M LITTLE BALLS1 SO T\*+ & SO VORACI\S4 

,9 ! %ADE ( ?AT TREE ( LIFE MY MO!R HAD A SMALL TEMPLE SET UP = ! WOR%IP ( H] ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRIT1 ,BA 7,GREAT-,LADY74 ,ANH ,TU1 ! VILLAGE MAGICIAN & MY C\S9 BY M>RIAGE1 (FICIAT$ AT ! SOLEMN 9AUGURATION ( ! TEMPLE4 ,! >OMATIC SMOKE ( 9C5SE /ICKS1 M+L$ ) ! FRAGRANCE ( BURNT S&ALWOOD1 ROSE SKYW>D 9 TRANSP>5T SWIRLS4 ,MY MO!R M$ITAT$ ALONGSIDE ,ANH ,TU AS HE *ANT$ 9CANTATIONS3 

,BA DI CO CAP RAN TRUN1 

,BA VE CO CAP RONG MUN DUA ,BA4  
 .<,GREAT-,LADY DEP>TS1 A PAIR ( DEADLY S]P5TS ACCOMPANY H]4 

 ,GREAT-,LADY RETURNS1 A PAIR ( BLACK DRAGONS ESCORT H]4.>  

,SUDD5LY1 TO \R A/ONI%M5T1 A TURTL$OVE SWOOP$ D[N FROM ! TREE'S BRAN*ES1 FLAPP$ ITS W+S SEV]AL TIMES & ALI<T$ ON ! MAGICIAN'S %\LD]4 ,!N ! 0MESS5G] ( ,GREAT-,LADY0 FLEW (F AGA94 

,LAT]1 ONE NI<T :5 MY MO!R SAW A SP>KL+ METEOR TRAV]SE ! SKY & DISAPPE> AT ! TOP ( ! TREE1 %E TOLD US ?AT IT WAS A *>IOT DRAWN BY BLACK DRAGONS TAK+ ,GREAT-,LADY BACK TO H] HOME4 

,MY FA!R1 :O WAS LIT]ATE1 BELONG$ TO ! VILLAGE ,C\NCIL ( ,NOTABLES & KEPT ! REGI/]S 9 ,ANNAMITE NOM1 COMPOS$ ( IDEOGRAMS TAK5 FROM ,*9ESE SCRIPT4 

,MY P>5TS1 MY ?REE ELD] BRO!RS -- ,BRO!R ,SEV51 ,BRO!R ,T5 & ,BRO!R ,TWELVE -- & ,I1 ,BRO!R ,?IRTE5 & LA/1 ALL LIV$ UND] ! SAME RO(4.<#b#a.> ,BRO!R ,SEV5 WAS BORN ( A PREVI\S M>RIAGE4 ,?REE BUFFALOS -- \R WORK=CE & BEA/S ( BURD5 -- W]E ALSO P>T ( ! FAMILY4 

,9 ! EV5+1 ,I W\LD FALL ASLEEP LY+ BESIDE ,BRO!R ,SEV5 AS HE *ANT$ ! POPUL> EPIC POEM ,LUC ,VAN ,TI54 ,HE WAS ALSO ! ONE :O TAU<T ME ! ,A,B,CS &1 ) A PO9T$ /RIP ( BAMBOO1 %[$ ME H[ TO TRACE 0A10 0A10 OR 0E0 ON BANANA LEAVES4 

,:5 ,I WAS LITTLE1 MY TASK WAS TO KEEP ! HUNGRY ROO/]S & H5S FROM EAT+ ! UNHULL$ RICE SPREAD \T ON A RU% MAT TO DRY 9 ! SUN4 ,LY+ 9 ! %ADE ( A GRAPEFRUIT TREE 9 \R C\RTY>D1 ,I WAT*$ ! LONG PROCESSIONS ( R$ ANTS CLIMB+ ITS TRUNK4 ,!Y C>RI$ !IR PREY TO !IR GLOBE-%AP$ NE/S ?AT HUNG FROM ! BRAN*ES1 GLOBES COMPOS$ ( LEAVES ?AT HAD BE5 /UCK TOGE!R ) P]FECT >TI/RY4 

,SOMETIMES ,I SP5T :OLE DAYS P]*$ ON ! BACK ( ! BUFFALO WE CALL$ ,TRAU ,VOI 7,ELEPHANT71 PLAY+ A BAMBOO FLUTE MADE = ME BY ,BRO!R ,T54 ,MY JOB WAS TO LOOK AFT] ! BUFFALOS 9 ! FIELDS ?AT /RET*$ FROM ! FRONT ( \R H\SE TO ! DI/ANT /REAM BEL[4 ,A ?9 BUT /ILL VISIBLE SC> ON MY RI<T =E>M BE>S WITNESS TO AN ADV5TURE ?AT HAUNTS ME EV5 TODAY LIKE A BAD DREAM4 

,IT'S ALMO/ NI<TFALL4 ,HUGE BLACK CL\DS GA!R DRAMATICALLY ON ! HORIZON4 ,! W9D RISES ) 9CREAS+ VIOL5CE4 ,! CLUMPS ( BAMBOO B5D OV]1 ! TALL GRASS FLATT5S4 ,9 ! SPACE ( A FEW SECONDS A SOOT-COLOR$ SKY OBSCURES ! E>?4 ,S5S+ ! ONCOM+ /ORM1 ! BUFFALOS />T ON ! RETURN PA? BY !MSELVES4 ,SUDD5LY GREAT %EETS ( RA9 P\R D[N1 /IRR$ BY ! W9D1 & ! BUFFALOS BREAK 9TO A GALLOP4 ,T]RIFI$1 ,I FLATT5 MYSELF & CL+ TO BUFFALO ,ELEPHANT'S BACK4 ,AS WE APPROA* ! H\SE \R BUFFALOS1 9/EAD ( TAK+ !IR USUAL R\TE ALONGSIDE ! BAMBOO H$GE1 ALL ( A SUDD5 L[] !IR HEADS & *>GE ?R\< ITS ?ICKE/ P>T4 ,!SE ANIMALS >E NOT /UPID3 9/9CTIVELY !Y >E TAK+ ! %ORTE/ WAY TO ! /ABLE4 ,PLUCK$ FROM MY P]* BY ! SP9Y BRAN*ES1 ,I FALL 9TO ! MIDDLE ( ! H$GE1 BRI/L+ ) /EELY PO9TS4 ,IT'S PIT* BLACK & ! DELUGE CONT9UES4 ,UNABLE TO MOVE1 ,I FEEL ALL >\ND ME ! M5ACE ( ! ?ORNS4 ,T]ROR-/RICK51 ,I WAIT = AN ET]NITY UNTIL F9ALLY1 FROM F> AWAY1 COMES MY MO!R'S CALL3 0,CON OI1 CON O DAU1 CON O DAU80 7,SON1 :]E >E Y\8 :]E >E Y\87 ,!N1 9 ! TOR*LI<T1 ! GLEAM ( MY MO!R'S EYES & ! HAPPY %\TS ( MY BRO!R ACCOMPANY MY EXTRACTION FROM ! FE>SOME TRAP4 

,GREAT ,UNCLE1 :O LIV$ A DOZ5 KILOMET]S AWAY ON ! ,PLA9 ( ,CUCUMB]S1 SOMETIMES S5T A ,MOI SLAVE ON HORSEBACK AS HIS MESS5G]4 ,HE HAD ACQUIR$ ! SLAVE BACK :5 HE US$ TO B>T] ) ,MOI TRIBES LIV+ 9 ! M\NTA9\S ,LOC ,N9H & ,HON ,QUAN REGIONS4 ,HE W\LD LOAD UP SALT & SALT$ S>D9ES 9 AN OX C>T & EX*ANGE HIS GOODS = RES9 GA!R$ BY ! ,MOI DEEP 9 ! =E/4 

,\R AFFECTIONATE NICKNAME = ?AT MESS5G] WAS ,ANH ,LO 7,BRO!R ,LO74 ,I LOV$ HIS SMOO? FACE TANN$ BY ! SUN4 ,MY BRO!RS & ,I M>VEL$ AT ! SLEEK /ATURE ( ! NOBLE BR[N HORSE HE RODE1 LIKE A /E$ \T ( AN ANCI5T TALE & SO DIFF]5T FROM \R FAMILI> M\NT1 ! /OCKY BLACK BUFFALO4 ,:5 ! HORSE :9NI$ & B>$ HIS TEE?1 IT SEEM$ TO US HE WAS LAU<+ UPRO>I\SLY1 & WE LAU<$ ) HIM4 ,BUT ,ANH ,LO ALWAYS HAD TO LEAVE AT DUSK4 ,:AT BEAUTY !RE WAS 9 ! PURE SILH\ETTE ( ! SL5D] RID]1 SMOO?LY GLID+ PA/ ! CURTA9 ( BAMBOO6 

,\R FA!R1 ?\< SOMETIMES CROSS1 WAS T5D]-HE>T$ & LOV$ HIS (FSPR+4 ,ONE DAY1 T\*$ BY \R 5?USIASM1 HE CAME HOME ) A HORSE AS H&SOME AS ,ANH ,LO'S1 :I* HE HAD BORR[$ = A :ILE FROM A FRI5D4 ,\R NEW FRI5D1 ATTA*$ TO A /AKE BY A LONG ROPE >\ND ITS NECK1 GRAZ$ PEACEABLY ON ! SP>SE GRASS 9 ! FIELD NEXT TO \R H\SE1 MAK+ HIS IMPRESSIVE LIPS VIBRATE ) AN AMUS+ 0B-R-R-R 4440 ?AT 5*ANT$ ME4 ,9 ! EV5+ WE TOOK HIM 9TO ! /ABLE2 ! BUFFALOS MOV$ TO ! O!R SIDE ( ! H\SE 9 ! OP5 AIR4 ,MY BRO!RS CLOS$ (F ! N>R[ 5TRANCE TO ! /ABLE BY FITT+ TWO HEWN CROSSB>S 9TO HOLES ON ! DOORPO/S4 ,TO HOLD ! 5DS ( ! CROSSB>S FIRM1 !Y US$ A MALLET TO DRIVE WOOD5 W$GES 9TO ! HOLES4 

,ONE MORN+1 MY BRO!RS GAVE 9 TO MY 5TREATIES & HOI/$ ME UP SO ?AT1 /RADDL+ ! /ABLE 5TRANCE1 ,I /OOD ) ONE FOOT ON EI!R UPRI<T PO/ & MY H&S HOLD+ ! RO( JOI/S4 ,! PLAN WAS = MY BRO!RS TO REMOVE ! WOOD5 CROSSB>S1 AT :I* PO9T ! HORSE W\LD COME \T & ,I W\LD SIMPLY LET MYSELF DROP ONTO ITS BACK4 ,MY HE>T BEAT+ WILDLY1 ,I FELL ON ! RUMP ( ! HORSE1 BUT ) ONE B\ND IT DA%$ 9TO ! C\RTY>D1 & !RE ,I WAS ) MY BUTT ON ! GR\ND4 ,AFT] TURN+ ITS HEAD BRIEFLY T[>D US1 AS IF TO SAY 0,SO LONG1 KIDS60 \R GUE/ TROTT$ AWAY1 D[N ! SAME PA? ,ANH ,LO HAD TAK5 ! O!R EV5+4 ,MY FA!R WAS RELIEV$ TO LE>N ?AT ! HORSE HAD RETURN$ TO ITS HOME4 

,MY PA/ORAL *ILDHOOD 5D$ :5 ,I />T$ AT ! VILLAGE S*OOL >\ND #a#i#b4 ,I CAN /ILL PICTURE ! HORIZON R$D5+ AT DAWN AS MY MO!R & ,I LEFT HOME ON ?AT J\RNEY 9TO ! UNKN[N4 ,AFT] LEAV+ ! HAMLET1 WE W5T ?R\< SOME WOODS1 ! SONGS ( 9VISIBLE BIRDS TR\BL+ MY TIMID HE>T4 

,MY S*OOLMA/]'S NAME WAS ,?AY ,GIAO ,DONG 7,WOR?Y ,TEA*]74 ,HE LOOK$ V]Y TALL TO ME1 & EV5 HIS SMILE SEEM$ /]N4 ,HE LIV$ A HUNDR$ PACES D[N ! SAME /ONY ROAD AS ! S*OOL1 9 A GRAY /RAW HUT HIDD5 BEH9D A ?ORNY H$GE4 

,TO ! RI<T ( ! H\SE A GRASSY TRACK FAD$ 9TO ! FIELDS3 ?IS WAS ! PA? WE TOOK TO S*OOL4 ,ON ! LEFT WAS A CLU/] ( SEV]AL O!R /RAW HUTS1 D>K & DU/Y4 ,!Y ADJO9$ ! VILLAGE ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE1 AN OLD ONE-/ORY /RUCTURE ( WOOD ) A TIL$ RO(1 :OSE FACADE OP5$ ONTO A V]&A ) COLUMNS ( :ITEWA%$ BRICK4 

,:AT DI/+UI%$ \R S*OOL -- ! ,LITTLE ,M>KET ,S*OOL -- FROM ! O!R /RAW HUTS WAS ITS R\<LY :ITEWA%$ PLANK WALLS & A V]&A ?AT %ELT]$ US FROM ! SUN & RA9 DUR+ RECESS4 ,! C>ETAK]'S HUT WAS ON ! LEFT4 ,! N>R[ C\RTY>D SURR\ND+ ! BUILD+S WAS 5TIRELY 5CLOS$ BY A D5SE H$GE ( PRICKLY BAMBOO4 ,ALONG ! BACK H$GE /OOD A L9E ( SMALL1 OVAL-%AP$ E>!NW>E J>S4 ,! S*OOL*ILDR5 UR9AT$ 9 !M DUR+ RECESS1 & ! OLD C>ETAK] COLLECT$ ! LIQUID TO F]TILIZE HIS MEAG] M>KET G>D54 ,UND] ! SCOR*+ SUN1 ! /5* FROM ?OSE PISS-POTS BEH9D ! S*OOL BECAME UNBE>ABLE4 ,= \R O!R NE$S1 WE HAD TO CROSS ! H$GE & HIDE BEH9D ! UND]BRU%4 

,\R S*OOLMA/] TAU<T TWO CLASSES1 SMALL *ILDR5 & OLD] ONES1 TOTAL+ AB\T ?IRTY PEASANT *ILDR5 FROM \R VILLAGE & ! SURR\ND+ HAMLETS4 ,DUR+ RECESS WE W]E ALL[$ TO QU5* \R ?IR/ BY DIPP+ A COCONUT %ELL FITT$ ) A H&LE 9TO A L>GE E>!NW>E J> 9 FRONT ( ! C>ETAK]'S HUT4 ,IF ! J> WAS EMPTY1 WE HAD TO BEG WAT] FROM ! LOCAL FI%MONG]S4 

,! S*OOLMA/]'S WIFE SOLD F[L & VEGETABLES4 ,EV]Y MORN+ %E SET (F1 C>RY+ A POLE ON H] %\LD]S ) A WOV5 BAMBOO BASKET HANG+ AT EI!R 5D1 TO BUY *ICK5S1 DUCKS1 GU9EA F[L1 CUCUMB]S OR BAMBOO %OOTS FROM PEASANTS ON !IR WAY TO ! M>KET4 ,%E !N SOLD H] GOODS TO M]*ANTS :O RESOLD !M 9 ,SAIGON & ,*OLON4 

,MY MO!R AWOKE EV]Y MORN+ AT COCKCR[1 AT ! 5D ( ! FIF? WAT* H]ALD+ ! ,H\R ( ! ,DRAGON4 ,:AT IS A 0WAT*08 ,NI<TTIME WAS DIVID$ 9TO FIVE WAT*ES1 EA* LA/+ AB\T TWO-&-A-HALF H\RS4 ,! MIDDLE ( ! ?IRD WAT*1 ! ,H\R ( ! ,RAT1 WAS AT MIDNI<T4 ,AT ! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE A WAT*MAN1 APPO9T$ BY TURNS FROM AMONG VILLAGE Y\?S 9 GOOD HEAL? BY ! ,C\NCIL ( ,NOTABLES1 M>K$ ! BEG9N+ ( EA* WAT* BY /RIK+ ?REE TIMES ON ! CAI MO1 A L>GE RESONANT WOOD5 CYL9D] SET ON TRE/LES4 ,! S\ND C\LD BE HE>D FROM AF>4 ,) A CONT9U\S DRUM ROLL1 ! WAT*MAN W>N$ ! VILLAGE 9 CASES ( DISA/] -- A FIRE OR A FI<T OR PIRACY -- SIGNAL$ BY ! VICTIMS' CRIES ( 0,LANG XOM OI60 7,VILLAGE & HAMLET1 HELP67 

,>\ND FIVE O'CLOCK EA* MORN+ WE GULP$ D[N \R FIR/ RICE4 ,AS SOON AS WE SAW ! FIR/ CRIMSON RAYS ( DAWN BREAK OV] ! HORIZON1 WE SET (F = S*OOL4 ,DUR+ ! RA9Y SEASON1 ! SKY WAS (T5 OV]CA/1 BUT USUALLY MY MO!R /ILL MANAG$ TO SEE US (F ON TIME4 ,IF IT DID HAPP5 ?AT ON ! WAY WE HE>D ! OM9\S DRUMM+ ( ! DI/ANT TOMTOM1 WE KNEW WE W]E LATE & W\LD SET (F RUNN+ SO FA/ WE LO/ \R BREA?4 

,! BIG R$ TOMTOM1 :I* HUNG FROM A BEAM AT ! BACK ( ! S*OOLROOM1 SIGNAL$ ! BEG9N+ & 5D ( ! RECESS P]IOD & ( ! S*OOL DAY4 ,S\ND+ ! DRUM WAS NOT ASSIGN$ TO ANY P>TICUL> PUPIL4 ,! MA/] SIMPLY WAV$ HIS F+]1 & ONE ( ! OLD] *ILDR5 W\LD LEAP TO ! TOMTOM4 ,?AT R$ TOMTOM EX]T$ AN IRRESI/IBLE ATTRACTION ON ME4 ,ONE DAY1 AID$ BY ONE ( MY OLD] BRO!RS :O HOI/$ ME ONTO A DESK1 ,I SUCCE$$ 9 GRASP+ ! R\ND-TIPP$ /ICK &1 TAK+ C>EFUL AIM AT ! C5T] ( ! CIRCLE1 MADE ! R$ MON/] ?UND]4 

,FROM TIME TO TIME1 AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE AWAIT$ US ON REA*+ S*OOL 9 ! MORN+ -- A CLEANL9ESS 9SPECTION4 ,ANY BOYS :O HAD DIRT BEH9D !IR E>S W]E MADE TO SQUAT NAK$ >\ND ! WELL LIKE SK9NY TOADS4 ,!N ONE ( ! /URDI] BOYS 9 ! CLASS1 P]*$ ON ! $GE1 L[]$ A WOV5 BAMBOO BUCKET 9TO ! WELL1 DREW UP WAT]1 & D\S$ HIS UN=TUNATE S*OOLMATES4 ,! COLD WAT] MADE !M FL9*1 !N JUMP >\ND FRANTICALLY4 ,) !IR FRAIL H&S !Y SCRUBB$ BEH9D !IR E>S4 ,AT ! 5D ( ! SESSION SOME W]E /ILL %IV]+1 & RUBB$ !MSELVES D[N FEV]I%LY BE=E GETT+ DRESS$4 ,! GIRLS1 :O /AY$ %UT UP 9 ! CLASSROOM1 W]E SP>$ ?IS VEX+ EXP]I5CE4 

,DUR+ ! RA9Y SEASON1 \R S*OOLMA/] SOMETIMES LET US %[] \RSELVES UND] ! TORR5TS GU%+ FROM ! RO( -- R>E MOM5TS ( JOY :5 WE C\LD FROLIC AB\T FREELY4 

,ONE ( MY CLASSMATES WAS ASSIGN$ TO FILL ! TEA*]'S WAT] J>S1 :I* MEANT TROTT+ BACK & =? SEV]AL TIMES TO FET* WAT]4 ,! TEA*] ONCE S5T MY BRO!RS & ME TO GA!R DEADWOOD = HIS COOK+ /OVE4 ,A HUNDR$ MET]S FROM ! S*OOL1 WE 5T]$ ! SAME WOODS WE CROSS$ EV]Y DAY4 ,I KEPT ! LOOK\T :ILE MY BRO!RS CLIMB$ UP ! TREES TO BREAK (F DEAD BRAN*ES4 ,I C\LD HE> ! %>P S\ND ( ! WOOD CRACK+4 ,SUDD5LY ! SILH\ETTE ( AN OLD MAN APPE>$ AT ! $GE ( ! WOODS4 ,IT WAS \R FA!R6 ,I WAS ROOT$ TO ! SPOT4 

0,:AT >E Y\ DO+ H]E80 HE ASK$4 

0,I'M WAIT+ = MY BRO!RS -- !Y'RE GA!R+ FIREWOOD = ! TEA*]40 

,MY FA!R CAU<T SI<T ( !M CLIMB+ >\ND 9 ! BRAN*ES & BEGAN BEAT+ A PA? T[>D !M ?R\< ! UND]GR[?4 ,!Y CAME D[N HURRI$LY & TRI$ TO DODGE HIS SLAPS4 

0,IF Y\R TEA*] WANTS FIREWOOD1 ALL HE HAS TO DO IS LET ME KN[ & ,I'LL BR+ HIM C>TLOADS4 ,Y\'RE NOT TO CLIMB TREES4 ,Y\ C\LD BREAK Y\R >MS & LEGS60 ,FROM !N ON1 WE W]E EXCUS$ FROM ! *ORE ( COLLECT+ WOOD4 

,SOMETIMES ! TEA*] GOT BOR$4 ,HE W\LD TAKE SEV]AL SWALL[S ( RICE LIQUOR FROM A FLASK HE HID BEH9D ! MAP ON ONE ( ! WALLBO>DS4 ,9 A /ATE ( EUPHORIA1 HE W\LD !N SET (F = ! OLD C>ETAK]'S HUT TO PLAY *ESS1 LEAV+ ! CLASS UND] ! SUP]VISION ( ONE ( ! PUPILS4 ,ONE EV5+ UPON ! TEA*]'S RETURN1 ! PUPIL ASSIGN$ TO ?IS RANK ( 9=M] D5\NC$ SEV]AL ( HIS CLASSMATES = R[D9ESS4 ,HIS FACE PALE ) RAGE1 ! MA/] SEIZ$ /IFF /ALKS RIPP$ FROM ! GUAVA TREE NE> ! F5CE & ?RA%$ ! WRONGLY ACCUS$ BOYS ) ALL HIS MI<T4 ,! SC5E T]RIFI$ ME4 

,AN UNUSUAL EV5T OCCASIONALLY 9T]RUPT$ \R DAILY R\T9E -- ! ,S*OOL ,9SPECTOR'S VISIT4 ,ONE DAY T[>D ! MIDDLE ( A SUNNY MORN+ :ILE WE W]E AT RECESS1 AN ELEGANT C>T DREW UP 9 FRONT ( ! S*OOL4 ,! B>EFOOT ,ANNAMITE DRIV] JUMP$ TO ! GR\ND & HELD ! HORSE'S RE9S & A MAN DRESS$ 9 AN IMPECCABLY :ITE ,FR5* SUIT BUTTON$ UP TO ! NECK DESC5D$ C]EMONI\SLY4 ,IT WAS ,9SPECTOR ,TUAN4 ,LIKE A FLOCK ( SP>R[S1 WE D>T$ BACK 9TO ! CLASSROOM1 SAT AT \R DESKS1 & FOLD$ \R >MS OV] \R CLOS$ EX]CISE BOOKS4 ,AN UNUSUAL SIL5CE REIGN$4 ,:5 ! ,9SPECTOR 5T]$ ! CLASSROOM1 AT A SIGNAL FROM \R TEA*] WE ALL /OOD UP 9 UNISON4 ,) A GE/URE ( HIS RI<T H&1 ! ,9SPECTOR MOTION$ US TO SIT D[N4 ,AL?\< HE WAS ,ANNAMITE1 HE SPOKE ) \R TEA*] 9 ,FR5*4 ,NONE ( US C\LD UND]/& :AT !Y W]E SAY+4 ,HE /OOD BY MY DESK &1 )\T SAY+ A WORD1 LEAF$ ?R\< MY EX]CISE BOOK1 !N TOOK A SMALL TUBE \T ( HIS POCKET FROM :I* A P5 SPRANG AS IF BY MAGIC4 ,ON ! LA/ PAGE HE SCRIBBL$ A CABALI/IC SIGN 0VU0.<#b#b.> 9 ! M>G9 TO 9DICATE ?AT HE HAD SE5 MY WORK4 ,!N HE RETURN$ HIS P5 TO ! TUBE4 

,DUR+ MIDDAY BREAK1 PUPILS :O LIV$ NE>BY W5T HOME TO EAT4 ,?OSE :O LIKE ME LIV$ F>!R AWAY BR\<T !IR LUN* OV] ! LONG DAWN HIKE -- A LUMP ( COLD RICE TOPP$ ) A PIECE ( DRI$ FI% OR SUG> CANE1 ! :OLE WRAPP$ 9 A DRI$ >ECA PALM LEAF4 ,AFT] GULP+ IT D[N1 WE W\LD W&] (F 9TO ! C\NTRYSIDE4 ,I SOMETIMES CROSS$ ! EMPTY LOT BEH9D ! S*OOL TO ! ,PHUOC ,TUONG PAGODA A FEW HUNDR$ MET]S AWAY4 ,9 ! TORRID MIDDAY HEAT ,I WAS DRAWN TO ! CALM ( ?IS RELIGI\S SITE1 %AD$ BY OLD TREES4 ,9 ! COOL1 D>K SIL5CE ( ! MA9 PAVILION A GIANT GOLD5 ,BUDDHA WAS 5?RON$ ON ! ALT>1 LEGS FOLD$ ON A SEAT ( LOTUS PETALS4 ,EYES HALF-CLOS$ 9 M$ITATION1 ,BUDDHA DOM9AT$ A GR\P ( SMALL] ,BUDDHI/ DEITIES1 GILD$ OR BRI<TLY PA9T$4 ,IT WAS !RE ?AT ,I FIR/ UND]/OOD :O ! O!RWORLDLY BE+ WAS ?AT MY MO!R 9VOK$ EV]Y TIME SOME MIS=TUNE BEFELL US4 

,GRADUALLY ,I BECAME MORE FAMILI> ) !SE SACR$ PREC9CTS4 ,! FEW MONKS LIV+ !RE IGNOR$ MY PRES5CE1 BUT ! ,V5]ABLE ,SUP]IOR NOTIC$ ! Y\NG S*OOLBOY'S FREQU5T VISITS4 ,ONCE :5 MY FA!R CAME TO ! PAGODA1 ! ,SUP]IOR PROPOS$ TO ACCEPT ME AS A NOVICE4 ,= SMALL PEASANTS1 SU* A PROPOSAL WAS ATTRACTIVE & MU* S\<T AFT]4 ,?US IT WAS ?AT ,I ALMO/ 5D$ UP LEAD+ A LIFE ( ASCETICISM1 HEAD %AV5 CLEAN1 WE>+ ! ROBES ( AN APPR5TICE MONK1 & BE+ TAU<T ,*9ESE *>ACT]S SO ?AT ,I C\LD PI\SLY PORE OV] SACR$ TEXTS & COPY ,BUDDHI/ SUTRAS4 ,HAD ?IS BE5 MY AU/]E FATE1 ,I W\LD HAVE FOLL[$ 9 ! FOOT/EPS ( ,%AKYAMUNI 7,BUDDHA7 D[N ! PA? TO AT>AXIA1 R5UNCIATION ( WORLDLY LIFE1 ( ! EPHEM]AL WORLD1 PHU !1 :]E EV]Y LIV+ BE+ 9EXORABLY EXP]I5CES ! F\R SUFF]+S3 BIR?1 SICKNESS1 OLD AGE & DEA?4 ,AS ,I TRAV]S$ ?IS OCEAN ( MIS]Y1 BI5 KHO1 ,I W\LD HAVE /RIV5 TO EXT+UI% 9 MYSELF ALL PASSIONS & DESIRES4 ,TO ?IS DAY ,I /ILL %UDD] :5 ,I ?9K ( IT4 

,ONE EV5+ ,ELD] ,BRO!R ,SEV5 TOOK US TO ?IS PAGODA = ! GREAT CELEBRATION 9 ! ,BUDDHA'S HONOR1 :]E ?OSE :O W]E WEAL?Y & PI\S MADE SUMPTU\S (F]+S4 ,?IS R>E OCCASION GAVE RURAL LABOR]S FROM ! SURR\ND+ VILLAGES1 Y\NG & OLD ALIKE1 AN OPPORTUNITY TO GA!R TOGE!R1 MEET1 FLIRT1 & G5]ALLY 5JOY !MSELVES4 ,BE=E ! ,BUDDHA'S ALT>1 9 FLICK]+ C&LELI<T & SWIRLS ( S&ALWOOD SMOKE1 Y\NG/]S CLU/]$ WIDE-EY$ TO WAT* FIGURES ( F\R HI]ATIC ANIMALS MADE ( BRI<TLY COLOR$ FRUITS1 FL[]S1 & LEAVES -- ,DRAGON1 ,KY ,L9 7A SORT ( UNICORN71 ,TORTOISE1 ,PH5IX -- AS !Y MOV$1 ANIMAT$ BY AN 9VISIBLE ME*ANISM4 ,AT ! 5D ( ! C]EMONY1 HUGE AM\NTS ( FRUIT & MULTICOLOR$ SWEETS 9 *>M+LY >RANG$ (F]+S W]E DI/RIBUT$ TO EV]YONE AMID G5]AL GAIETY4 ,ON ! WAY HOME ?AT NI<T ,BRO!R ,SEV5 EXPLA9$ ! V5]AT$ PREA*]'S S]MON TO ME1 BUT MY M9D WAS /ILL ON ! FE/IVAL4 

,! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE AB\T A HUNDR$ MET]S FROM ! S*OOL WAS ANO!R PLACE ?AT ESPECIALLY ATTRACT$ ME4 ,I (T5 S\<T %ELT] !RE FROM ! FI]Y MIDDAY SUN1 UNTIL ! DAY ?AT IT CEAS$ BE+ A REFUGE & TURN$ 9TO A PLACE ( HORROR4 

,! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE WAS ! VILLAGE'S ADM9I/RATIVE C5T]1 :]E ! ,C\NCIL ( ,NOTABLES GA!R$ FROM TIME TO TIME TO DEBATE & 0DISP5SE JU/ICE40 ,O!RWISE NO ONE WAS !RE EXCEPT ! C>ETAK]1 :O LIV$ 9 AN ADJO9+ HUT4 ,A CLOS$ ROOM AT ! BACK ( ! H\SE S]V$ AS A CELL4 ,ON ! FLOOR LAY A LONG IRON B> FITT$ ) %ACKLES ?AT ! NOTABLES US$ TO FETT] ANYONE >RE/$ -- USUALLY PEASANTS :O W]E LATE 9 PAY+ !IR CAPITATION TAX4.<#b#c.> 

,ONE DAY AT NOON ,I 5T]$ ! C\RTY>D ( ! ,COMMUNAL ,H\SE & /UMBL$ UPON A SC5E ( BEAT+4 ,A POOR WRET* 9 RAGS WAS LY+ FACE D[N1 HIS >MS & LEGS P9N$ TO ! GR\ND BY ?REE O!RS4 ,HIS TORM5TOR WAS HOLD+ A LONG FLEXIBLE ROD AT >M'S L5G? & RA9+ BL[S ON ! MAN'S L[] BACK4 ,AT EA* ( ! TW5TY-SOME BL[S1 ! VICTIM CRI$ \T & J]K$ CONVULSIVELY4 ,! SOLEMNLY DRESS$ NOTABLES SEAT$ 9SIDE LOOK$ ON IMPASSIVELY AT ! PUNI%M5T ( ! MAN !Y HAD JU/ CONDEMN$4 ,IT WAS ! NOTABLES' SELF-APPO9T$ RI<T TO 9T]V5E 9 DISAGREEM5TS BETWE5 VILLAG]S & TO JUDGE & PUNI% ! POOR PEOPLE AT !IR M]CY4 ,?IS SC5E ( COLD-BLOOD$ CRUELTY M>K$ ME = LIFE4 

,I REMEMB] ! TIME MY FAMILY WAS ! VICTIM ( A D5UNCIATION4 ,AT DAWN ONE MORN+1 A GR\P ( ,FR5* & ,ANNAMITE CU/OMS (FICIALS BUR/ 9 ON US4 ,AFT] SE>*+ ! H\SE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM1 !Y CONFISCAT$ ! L>GE E>!NW>E CROCK & RUDIM5T>Y EQUIPM5T ?AT MY FA!R US$ TO DI/ILL RICE LIQUOR = (F]+S -- AT NI<T1 ( C\RSE1 & CONCEAL$ 9 ! WOODS4 ,! SPIRITS ?AT W]E SOLD 9 ! M>KET FROM ! MONOPOLY DI/ILL]IES ( ,?U ,DUC W]E TRULY DISGU/+4 ,NO ONE C\LD POSSIBLY (F] !M TO ! DECEAS$ ON ! ANNIV]S>Y ( !IR PASS+4 ,AFT] ! (FICIALS HAD MADE AN 9V5TORY ( EV]Y ONE ( \R MEAG] POSSESSIONS1 9CLUD+ ! NUMB] ( ROO/]S1 H5S & PIGS1 !SE 0BUFFALO HEADS0 & 0HORSE FACES0 TOOK AWAY ,BRO!R ,SEV5 9 PLACE ( MY SICK FA!R4 ,! F9E = ,BRO!R ,SEV5'S RELEASE FROM CIVIL IMPRISONM5T 9 ,SAIGON WAS CRU%+LY HI<4 ,MY MO!R HAD TO BORR[ A GOLD NECKLACE FROM ,GREAT ,AUNT & PAWN IT AT ! ,*9ESE PAWN%OP4 ,9 ! FACE ( SU* ADV]SITY1 DID ! 9VOCATIONS TO ,BUDDHA COM=T MY MO!R8 ,P]HAPS4 

,>\ND ?AT TIME MY FA!R BEGAN SUFF]+ FROM *RONIC SPASMATIC PA9S4 ,HE LET LIE FALL[ ! PAT* ( RICEFIELD HE HAD 9 ! NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE1 NE> ! H\SE ( HIS ELDE/ BRO!R1 ,UNCLE ,F\R4 ,MY MO!R WAS AT H] WITS' 5D4 ,! CONICAL HATS %E MADE = PEASANTS \T ( LATANIA LEAVES DID NOT BR+ 9 5\< = \R DAILY RICE4 ,MY TWO BRO!RS /OPP$ GO+ TO S*OOL & />T$ WORK+ AS PLO:&S & RICE ?RE%]S1 ) OR )\T \R [N BUFFALOS1 = F>M]S 9 & >\ND \R VILLAGE4 ,I WAS ! ONLY ONE /ILL ATT5D+ S*OOL1 ?\< ,I HAD TO 0PLAY HOOKY0 ONCE TO LOOK AFT] ! BUFFALOS 9 MY BRO!RS' PLACE BECAUSE !Y W]E OV]BURD5$ ) WORK4 ,! MORN+ ,I RETURN$ TO S*OOL1 ! TEA*] GAVE ME TWO RES\ND+ SLAPS = BE+ ABS5T )\T P]MISSION4 

,WE KNEW :AT DEPRIVATION WAS4 ,TO FILL \R /OMA*S1 WE HAD TO ADD POTATOES TO \R /APLE DIET ( RICE4 ,:5 ! POTATOES RAN \T1 WE HUNT$ 9 \R WOODS = CU NANG1 A F>9ACE\S BULB-%AP$ ROOT ) SP9Y T5DRILS4 ,TO MAKE ! TUB]S $IBLE1 MY MO!R PEEL$ !M & CUT !M 9 SLICES :I* %E SOAK$ = DAYS1 *ANG+ ! WAT] SEV]AL TIMES4 ,ONE DAY ,I SAW MY FA!R /AGG] LIKE A DRUNK>D1 & !N MY BRO!RS & ,I FELL ILL4 ,! CU NANG FL\R HAD NOT BE5 SOAK$ LONG 5\<4 ,?IS 9CID5T REM9DS ME ( ! K9DNESS ( A DI/ANT C\S91 LIV+ 9 ! NEXT VILLAGE AT ?REE H\RS' WALK+ DI/ANCE4 ,HE (T5 0LOAN$0 US UNHULL$ RICE1 :I* WE W5T OV] TO PICK UP 9 A BUFFALO C>T BORR[$ FROM \R NEI<BOR4 

,AFT] TWO YE>S AT ! COMMUNAL PRIM>Y S*OOL1 ,I WAS 9ITIAT$ 9TO QUOC NGU1 ! V]NACUL> =M ( WRIT+4 ,AT ! 5D ( ! SECOND YE>1 ?\<1 IT WAS TIME TO SAY F>EWELL TO ! COMMUNAL S*OOL4 ,JU/ BE=E SUMM] VACATION1 MY MO!R TOOK A BEAUTIFUL PLUMP ROO/] & SOME TRADITIONAL CAKES TO MY S*OOLMA/]'S H\SE4 ,HE ADVIS$ H] TO HAVE ME CONT9UE MY $UCATION AT ! DI/RICT S*OOL 9 ,?U ,DUC4 

,I WAS !N AB\T T5 YE>S OLD4 ,! S*OOL WAS AN H\R AWAY BY FOOT4 ,JU/ \TSIDE \R HAMLET1 ,I HAD TO CROSS A WOOD /RET*+ ALONG A L>GE /AGNANT POOL ?AT TEEM$ ) SK9NY FROGS & DRAGONFLIES DUR+ ! RA9Y SEASON4 ,! PA? OP5$ ONTO A GRAVEL ROAD RI<T BESIDE ,LADY ,HIEU'S HUGE BANYAN TREE -- ,CAY DA ,BA ,HIEU4.<#b#d.> ,?IS SACR$ TREE %ELT]$ ! GODS ( ! DOME/IC HE>?1 ,ONG ,TAO1 SPIRITS ( ,LIME EMBODI$ 9 ! DISC>D$ LIME POTS & FRAGM5TS ( SMOKE-BLACK5$ T]RACOTTA BLOCKS ?AT W]E SCATT]$ AT ITS FOOT4 

,FIVE HUNDR$ PACES FUR!R ON1 ,I W\LD PASS ! ,CA?OLIC GRAVEY>D ) ITS /RANGE GRAYI% TOMB/ONES TOPP$ BY CROSSES1 9T]SP]S$ AMONG ! HEVEA TREES4 ,I WAS TOLD ?AT !IR PRIE/S REMOV$ DEAD PEOPLE'S EYES TO (F] !M TO ,DOG1 ! FA!R ( ,JESUS4 ,MY /EPS QUICK5$ AS ,I IMAG9$ ?OSE S\LS W&]+ >\ND BL9DLY4 ,ALL CONTACT WAS TO BE AVOID$ ) ,CA?OLICS1 ! CO DAO1 :O PREF]R$ TO V5]ATE A :ITE SPIRIT HANG+ ON A CROSS RA!R ?AN WOR%IP ! DEAD & !IR ANCE/ORS4 ,LONG-/&+ MI/RU/ ( ! ,CA?OLICS1 DESC5DANTS ( ?OSE :O HAD HELP$ ! ,FR5* OCCUPY \R C\NTRY1 /OK$ \R IMAG9ATION & GAVE RISE TO A T5ACI\S LEG5D 9 \R VILLAGE3 ?AT S9CE ! MO!R ( ,JESUS HAD NO HUSB&1 %E GAVE BIR? TO ,JESUS BY C\PL+ ) A DOG4 ,?IS HATEFUL LEG5D IS REM9ISC5T ( ! ,*9ESE LEG5D AB\T AN EMP]OR ( ,*9A ) AN 9CURABLE W\ND ON HIS LEG1 :O PROMIS$ HIS DAU<T] TO ANYONE :O C\LD CURE HIM4 ,! F9E/ DOCTORS FAIL$1 BUT A C\RT DOG LICK$ HIS W\ND & HEAL$ IT4 ,TRUE TO HIS PROMISE1 ! EMP]OR PUT HIS DAU<T] & ! DOG ON A RAFT1 :I* HE HAD FLOAT D[NRIV] TO ! ,S\?1 :]E !Y BEGAT ! ANCE/ORS ( ! S\!RN B>B>IAN TRIBES4 

,RETURN+ HOME FROM S*OOL 9 ! EV5+ WAS EV5 MORE FRI<T5+ :5 AN 9VISIBLE *ORUS ( CICADAS ATOP ! GIANT CAY SAO TREES ALONG ! PA? BEGAN !IR CLAMOR\S *ANT4 ,I WAS ALSO FILL$ ) AN UNEASY DREAD :5 ,I PASS$ ,LADY ,HIEU'S BANYAN TREE OR WALK$ 9 DESC5D+ D>KNESS BY ! HAUNT$ POOL AT ! $GE ( ! WOODS4 

,I WAS ACCEPT$ 9 ! PREP>ATORY C\RSE AT ! S*OOL 9 ,?U ,DUC4 ,?AY ,GIAO ,NAI 7,MA/] ,/AG7 WAS A G5TLE MAN :O 7MO/ EXCEPTIONALLY = A TEA*]7 NEV] RAIS$ HIS H& AGA9/ HIS /UD5TS4 ,! FOLL[+ YE>1 ,I 5T]$ ! ELEM5T>Y C\RSE UND] ! AU?ORITY ( ,ONG ,?IET 7,TRUE ,DIRECTOR71 :O WAS KN[N = HIS SEV]ITY4 ,EV]Y MORN+ :5 HE 5T]$ ! S*OOLY>D1 ! PUPILS HAD TO L9E UP ON EI!R SIDE1 FOLD !IR H&S & B[ D[N AS HE W5T BY4 

,9 CLASS1 IF HIS =EHEAD GLI/5$ ) ANG]1 WE WAIT$ = ! LI<TN+ TO /RIKE4 ,HE W\LD PO9T HIS F+] LIKE A D>T AT A 0GUILTY0 P>TY & %\T3 0,COME H]E60 ,! BOY W\LD PRO/RATE HIMSELF AT ! MA/]'S FEET4 ,IMM$IATELY1 ! VICTIM'S L[] BACK WAS B>$ & HE W\LD RECEIVE A VIOL5T CAN+4 ,ONG ,?IET'S DAILY FURY US$ UP MANY CANES4 ,A L>GE BUNDLE ( ?OSE HORRID PLIABLE /ALKS WAS /OR$ ALONGSIDE EX]CISE BOOKS & RECORD BOOKS 9 A CUPBO>D AT ! BACK ( ! CLASSROOM4 ,= A S+LE 0YES0 OR 0NO10 ANY ( US C\LD BE SUBJECT$ TO TORTURE4 ,LIKE ! O!R PUPILS1 MY BACK KNEW ! CANE'S WRA?4 

,\R TEA*] ,UNG1 NEWLY GRADUAT$ FROM ! ,TEA*]S ,COLLEGE1 WAS 9 *>GE ( ! 9T]M$IATE CLASS4 ,HE US$ ! CANE LESS1 BUT WAS ADEPT AT GETT+ ! PUPILS TO DO HIS P]SONAL *ORES4 ,HE WAS LODG$ BEH9D ! S*OOL4 ,MANY A TIME AS WE PLAY$ M>BLES 9 ! %ADE ( ! TREES DUR+ BREAK-TIME1 HE MADE US FILL HIS WAT] J>S4 ,IT TOOK TWO ( US1 BE>+ ! 5DS ( A WOOD5 POLE ON \R %\LD]S4 ,ON ! WAY BACK FROM ! PUBLIC F\NTA91 ,I WALK$ 9 FRONT ( MY TALL] COMPANION1 & ! BRIMM+ T9 OIL DRUM SW++ FROM ! POLE GRAZ$ MY HEELS R\<LY AT EA* /EP4 ,?AY ,UNG ALSO 9/RUCT$ ME 9 ! >T ( CLEAN+ & :IT5+ HIS CANVAS %OES4 

,AT NOON1 AFT] \R COLD RICE1 WE SOMETIMES RAN (F TO ONE ( ! NE>BY SUG> REF9+ %ACKS TO BE GIV5 SCRAPS ( CANE SUG>4 

,ONE NI<T A NOCTURNAL BIRD SWOOP$ D[N 9TO ! C\RTY>D1 FLAPP$ ITS W+S FURI\SLY & LET \T PI]C+ SCREE*ES BE=E FLY+ (F AGA94 ,MY MO!R SAW ?IS AS A T]RIFY+ OM51 & SO IT TURN$ \T TO BE3 \R FA!R1 :O HAD BE5 ILL = SO LONG1 DI$4 

,TO ?IS DAY ,I AM V]Y MOV$ BY ! ?\<T ( MY FA!R4 ,S5S+ ?AT HE WAS SOON TO BE UNIT$ ) HIS ANCE/ORS1 HE SAID TO MY MO!R3 0,MA BAY TRE1 RANG XOAY XO *O QUA NGAY ?ANG1 DAU SAO CUNG DUNG DO CON40 7,MO!R ( \R *ILDR51 TRY TO GET ?R\< ! DAYS & MON?S AS BE/ Y\ CAN1 BUT NEV] HIRE \T ! *ILDR5 AT ANY PRICE67 

,MY FA!R HAD NO D\BT BE5 AFFECT$ BY ! FATE ( ! F\R BOYS ( \R IMPOV]I%$ NEI<BOR1 ,TRUM ,NHUT4 ,UNABLE TO FE$ !M1 HE HAD PLAC$ !M AS OX-DROV]S & DOME/IC S]VANTS ) RI* L&[N]S1 :O HAD M]CILESSLY ABUS$ !M4 

,ON MY FA!R'S DEA?1 MY FAMILY 9VIT$ A MONK FROM ! VILLAGE PAGODA TO CONDUCT ! FUN]AL C]EMONY ACCORD+ TO ,BUDDHI/ RITES4 ,! NEXT DAY1 FAMILY MEMB]S & ACQUA9TANCES MADE !IR (F]+S1 ACCOMPANI$ BY /RID5T FUN]AL MUSIC P]=M$ BY AN IT9]ANT TR\PE ( MUSICIANS ON TAMB\RS1 OBOES1 CELLOS1 KETTL$RUMS & WOOD5 CLAPP]S4 ,I /AY$ BY MY MO!R'S SIDE & NAIVELY TRI$ TO CONSOLE H] :5EV] %E BEGAN TO WEEP4 ,! BURIAL TOOK PLACE ON ! ?IRD DAY4 ,! FUN]AL PROCESSION1 L$ BY ! MONK1 BR\<T MY DEAD FA!R TO HIS F9AL RE/+ PLACE1 A HUNDR$ PACES FROM \R H\SE4 

,MY FA!R REPOSES 9 \R WOODS UND] ! %ADE ( ! OLD CAY GO TREE4 ,ON ! ?IRD DAY AFT] ! BURIAL1 ! MONK CAME TO P]=M ! 0OP5+ ( ! TOMB DOOR10 A C]EMONY TO ALL[ MY FA!R TO RETURN HOME1 :]E A %R9E WAS D$ICAT$ TO HIM4 ,EV]Y SEV5 DAYS MY MO!R (F]$ HIM A MEAL4 ,AT ! 5D ( A HUNDR$ DAYS & !N AGA9 ON ! FIR/ ANNIV]S>Y ( HIS DEA?1 ! EI<TE5? DAY ( ! ELEV5? MOON1 ! FAMILY GA!R$ TO ORGANIZE A COMMEMORATIVE (F]+4 ,BUT AFT] ! SECOND ANNIV]S>Y WE DISCONT9U$ ANY VISIBLE SIGNS ( M\RN+1 S9CE BY ?AT PO9T WE W]E SUPPOS$ TO HAVE CEAS$ TO M\RN HIM 9 \R HE>TS4 

,) MY FA!R GONE1 MY MO!R1 FAC$ ) ! WORRISOME TASK ( PROVID+ \R DAILY B[L ( RICE1 R$\BL$ H] EF=TS TO PRODUCE CONICAL PALM-LEAF HATS = PEASANTS4 ,I LE>N$ TO HELP H]1 & MY BRO!RS WORK$ AS H>D AS !Y C\LD 9 ! FIELDS SO ?AT ,I C\LD CONT9UE GO+ TO S*OOL4 

,I />T$ LE>N+ ,FR5* :5 ,I WAS AB\T ELEV54 ,! 9DISP5SABLE DICTION>Y1 ,L>\SSE ,ELEM5TAIRE1 C\LD ONLY BE ACQUIR$ 9 ,SAIGON1 A FIFTE5-KILOMET] HIKE FROM ,?U ,DUC4 ,?AT J\RNEY M>K$ A MEMORABLE MOM5T 9 MY LIFE4 ,I HAD TO LEAVE ! H\SE BE=E DAWN1 9 TOTAL D>KNESS4 ,FATIGUE HAD NO EFFECT ON ME -- ,I WAS TOO 5*ANT$ BY MY SOLIT>Y WALK ?R\< ! NI<T & !N BY ! IMM5SITY ( ! RURAL L&SCAPE UND] ! RIS+ SUN4 ,AT ! ,B9H ,LOI BRIDGE ,I GAZ$ AT ! ,SAIGON ,RIV]1 SP>KL+ ) LI<TS4 ,UP TILL !N ,I HAD ONLY KN[N IT AS A BLUE L9E ME&]+ ACROSS ! GRAY MAP ( ,GIA ,D9H PROV9CE4 

,I HAD GONE TO ! TEEM+ CITY ( ,SAIGON ONCE BE=E1 ON A TRIP ) MY FA!R TO BUY BIC>BONATE 9 ! HOPE ( RELIEV+ HIS /OMA* PA9S4 ,! PH>MACY WAS OPPOSITE ! ,CONT95TAL ,HOTEL ON ,RUE ,CAT9AT & NEXT DOOR TO ! ,PORTAIL ,BOOK/ORE4 

,9 ! E>LY AFT]NOON1 UND] A BLAZ+ SUN1 ,I TURN$ MY /EPS HOMEW>D1 ! DICTION>Y TUCK$ UND] MY >M4 ,AT EA* PAUSE 9 ! %ADE ( A TREE ,I C\LD NOT RESI/ ! FASC9ATION ( TURN+ ITS PAGES TO M>VEL AT ! PLATES ( DRAW+S1 ! ILLU/RATIONS1 & ! COLUMNS ( WORDS FULL ( 9NUM]ABLE MY/]IES TO P5ETRATE4 

,AT ! 5D ( ! ELEM5T>Y YE> ! TEA*] *OSE TWO PUPILS TO 5T] A COMPETITION = A S*OL>%IP -- MYSELF & AN OLD] BOY4 ,ON ! EVE ( ! BIG DAY1 ,BRO!R ,SEV5 TOOK ME TO ,SI/] ,FIVE'S H\SE 9 ,?I ,N<E1 SO ,I C\LD GET TO ! ,GIA ,D9H C\NTY SEAT NOR? ( ,SAIGON ON TIME ! NEXT DAY4 ,! EXAM9ATION WAS TO BE HELD AT ! ,BA ,*IEU S*OOL4 

,! AFT]NOON WAS HUMID & SWELT]+LY HOT4 ,WE WALK$ ALONG ! ROAD FROM ,HANG ,SANH TO ,?I ,N<E4 ,ALL ( A SUDD5 A MONSOON HIT1 BL[+ HUGE CL\DS ?AT OBSCUR$ ! SKY & ! E>?4 ,A FEW SECONDS LAT]1 GREAT DAGG]S ( RA9DROPS %OT OBLIQUELY D[N ON US4 ,I HELD MY ,*9ESE UMBRELLA TI<T AS A BLA/ ( W9D TURN$ ! LACQU]$ BR[N PAP] DOME 9SIDE \T & ?RA%$ AT ! TATT]$ %R$S CL++ DESP]ATELY TO ! BROK5 BAMBOO SPOKES4 ,I WOND]$ IF ?AT F\L W9D WAS NOT A BAD OM5 & IF MY PROSPECTS = A S*OL>%IP W]E NOT %ATT]$ ALSO4 ,WE REA*$ ,SI/] ,FIVE'S H\SE AT NI<TFALL1 COMPLETELY DR5*$ & MY HE>T FULL ( =EBOD+4 

,NEV]!LESS1 ,I MADE IT ?R\< ! ORDEAL ( COMPETITION )\T EV5 =GETT+ ! 0S0 9 TOR*IS DUR+ ! ,FR5* DICTATION4 ,!N CAME ! WAIT4 ,9 ! MEANTIME1 ONE ( \R BUFFALOS BEGAN REFUS+ TO EAT & /AGG]$ >\ND1 MOAN+ \T ( PA9 & EXHAU/ION4 ,) TE>S 9 \R EYES WE HAD TO RESIGN \RSELVES TO LEAD+ IT AWAY TO DIE 9 A DI/ANT WILD WOOD4 

,A MON? LAT]1 ! NOTABLE 9 *>GE ( ! VILLAGE POLICE SUMMON$ MY MO!R1 A WID[ ) ?REE DEP5D5T *ILDR51 TO 9VE/IGATE H] F9ANCIAL SITUATION4 ,EV5TUALLY %E WAS ALLOTT$ #bg PIA/]S EV]Y ?REE MON?S -- A =TUNE = A POOR WOMAN /RUGGL+ NI<T & DAY TO PRODUCE HATS = #a OR #b C5TIMES 7A C5TIME WAS ONE-HUNDR$? ( A PIA/]74 

,\R S*OOLMA/]1 ,V5]ABLE ,?IET1 WAS DET]M9$ TO SEE AS MANY ( HIS PUPILS AS POSSIBLE E>N ! ,C]TIFICAT D'ETUDES DIPLOMA1 :I* W\LD 5HANCE ! S*OOL'S REPUTATION & ESPECIALLY HIS [N REPUTATION AS ITS PR9CIPAL4 ,ONE EV5+ AFT] S*OOL1 HE TOOK ME & ANO!R CLASSMATE TO ,SAIGON 9 A HORSE-DRAWN C>RIAGE KN[N AS A 0MAT*BOX40 ,HE 9T5D$ TO 0>RANGE0 \R UPCOM+ ,C]TIFICAT EXAM4 ,IT WAS D>K BY ! TIME WE REA*$ ! CITY4 

,! COA*MAN /OPP$ ! VEHICLE ON A /REET 9 ! ,DA ,KAO DI/RICT4 ,! MA/] TOLD US TO WAIT !RE & VANI%$ 9TO A DOOR A HUNDR$ PACES FUR!R ON4 ,A SILV] MOON %ONE BRI<T 9 ! SKY4 ,! HORSE1 UNH>NESS$ BY ! COA*MAN1 GRAZ$ PEACEFULLY ON WISPS ( GRASS BESIDE ! ROAD & DEPOSIT$ DROPP+S AT ! FOOT ( AN ELECTRIC POLE :ILE WE *ATT$ ) ! COA*MAN4 ,:5 ! S*OOLMA/] RETURN$1 HE LOOK$ V]Y MU* \T ( SORTS4 ,)\T A WORD TO US1 HE SIGNAL$ TO ! COA*MAN TO HIT* UP ! HORSE4 ,ON ! ROAD HOME1 NO ONE BROKE ! SIL5CE = A GOOD :ILE AS ! C>RIAGE TOSS$ US AB\T4 ,!N1 NO LONG] ABLE TO CONTA9 HIS ICY ANG]1 HE BUR/ \T3 0,BALLS6 ,HE WANT$ NO?+ TO DO ) IT40 

,9 O!R WORDS1 ! COLLEAGUE 9 ,SAIGON REFUS$ TO GO ALONG ) HIS LITTLE S*EME4 

,I SUPPOS$ ?AT HE W\LD TRY TO 5T] 9TO CONTACT ) O!R TEA*]S 9 *>GE ( PROCTOR+ ! NEXT EXAM9ATION4 ,BUT ULTIMATELY NO ONE 0HELP$0 ME 9 EI!R ! WRITT5 OR ! ORAL EXAM4 ,NEV]!LESS1 ON ,V5]ABLE ,?IET'S DEM&1 MY MO!R HAD TO PAY HIM SOME ?IRTY PIA/]S AS H] %>E ( HIS COLLEAGUES' COMP5SATION = 0HELP+0 ME SUCCE$4 ,= H] ?AT MEANT PRODUC+ QUITE A L>GE NUMB] ( HATS4 

,! FOLL[+ MON?1 ,I TOOK ! S*OL>%IP EXAM9ATION AT ,*ASSEL\P-,LAUBAT ,HI< ,S*OOL4 ,FATE /RUCK ONCE AGA94 ,:5 MY NAME WAS CALL$1 ,I REALIZ$ ,I HAD LEFT MY /UD5T C>D :]E ,I WAS /AY+ AT MY C\S9'S4 ,%E LIV$ 9 ,?U ,?IEM1 A HAMLET ON ! O!R BANK ( ,SAIGON ,RIV]4 ,! :OLE TIME FROM ! S*OOL TO H] H\SE & BACK1 9CLUD+ ! RIV] CROSS+ 9 A SAMPAN1 ,I WAS 9 A /ATE ( ACUTE ANXIETY4 

,!N ONCE AGA9 WE WAIT$ = ! RESULT4 ,?+S LOOK$ HOPEFUL :5 ! HEAD ( ! DI/RICT SUMMON$ MY MO!R TO 9VE/IGATE H] F9ANCIAL SITUATION1 A SIGN ?AT ,I WAS ADMISSIBLE4 ,YET AT ! />T ( ! NEW S*OOL YE> 9 ,SEPTEMB] #a#i#b#f1 IT WAS ANO!R 0ADMISSIBLE0 BOY1 FROM A WELL-(F FAMILY1 :O PREP>$ TO 5T] ,*ASSEL\P-,LAUBAT4 ,HIS P>5TS HAD TAK5 EFFECTIVE 0MEASURES0 TO SWAY C]TA9 SECRET>IES 9 ! ,SAIGON ,DEP>TM5T ( ,$UCATION1 & HE WAS ! C&IDATE *OS54 ,?IS WAS A BITT] BL[1 ! FIR/ TIME ,I CAME UP AGA9/ ! 9VISIBLE WALL ?AT MY MO!R WAS P[]LESS TO CROSS4 ,WE FELT MIS]ABLE & HELPLESS4 ,) MY LOCAL PRIM>Y-S*OOL DIPLOMA ,I WAS QUALIFI$ TO BE A VILLAGE TEA*]2 BUT ,I WAS ONLY ?IRTE5 YE>S OLD6 ,MY TEA*] FELT SORRY = ME & MADE ONE LA/ DESP]ATE MOVE4 ,AT HIS [N EXP5SE1 HE BR\<T ME TO ! ,HUYNH ,KHUONG ,N9H BO>D+ S*OOL 9 ,SAIGON1 CR[D$ ) *ILDR5 ( NATIVE NOTABLES1 9 ! HOPE ?AT ,I W\LD BE ACCEPT$ FREE AS A DAY PUPIL OR AT LEA/ AS A BO>D] = A R$UC$ FEE4 ,I DIDN'T SEE H[1 9 EI!R CASE1 MY MO!R C\LD CONT9UE FE$+ ME = ANO!R ?REE OR F\R YE>S4 ,AT ANY RATE1 ALL ?AT B>GA9+ WAS 9 VA9 BECAUSE ! PURVEYORS ( $UCATION TURN$ !IR BACKS ON ANYONE )\T MONEY4 

,! MO/ IMPORTANT P]SON = ME1 AS A *ILD1 WAS ,ANH ,BAY1 ,ELD] ,BRO!R ,SEV54 ,:5 ,I WAS T5 YE>S OLD1 HE HAD TO AB&ON HIS PL[ = A WR5* & WORK AS A ME*ANIC'S ASSI/ANT 9 ! ,DI ,AN RAILWAY DEPOT1 AN H\R'S WALK FROM \R H\SE4 ,A WEEK BE=E ,TET -- ,NEW ,YE>'S ,DAY -- WE W5T ) ,BRO!R ,SEV5 TO WE$ ! GRASS >\ND ! FAMILY GRAVES4 ,ON ! TW5TY-?IRD DAY ( ! TWELF? MOON1 ! DAY = CELEBRAT+ ! DEP>TURE ( ! SPIRIT ( ! HE>?1 HE PUT UP ! CAY NEU -- A LONG BAMBOO POLE -- AT ! F> 5D ( ! C\RTY>D4 ,A SMALL BAMBOO BASKET ATTA*$ TO ! TOP ( ?IS POLE CONTA9$ (F]+S TO ! SPIRIT ON ITS WAY TO ! HEAV5S4 ,ON ! EVE ( ,TET1 VIA ?IS SAME CAY NEU ! SPIRIT W\LD RETURN TO E>? TO ITS [N ALT>4 ,DEP5D+ ON ! SPIRIT'S REPORT1 ! ,CELE/IAL ,EMP]OR W\LD PROLONG OR CURTAIL ONE'S LIFE4 

,ELD] ,BRO!R ,SEV5 ALSO PREP>$ BAMBOO FIRECRACK]S = \R CELEBRATION & = FRI5DS 9 ! VILLAGE4 ,I HELP$ HIM GR9D BURNT MANIOC /ALKS 9 A MORT> 9TO A F9E *>COAL DU/4 ,HE EXPLA9$ EXACTLY H[ MU* ( EA* +R$I5T -- *>COAL1 SULFUR & SALTPET] -- ,I %\LD ADD TO MAKE ! P[D]1 :I* ,I !N PACK$ 9 A C>DBO>D CUBE4 ,I LE>N$ H[ TO 5CASE ! *>GE 9 LONG1 F9ELY CUT SLATS ( BAMBOO TO GIVE ! FIRECRACK] A P]FECT CUBE %APE4 ,POSITION+ ! FUZE WAS A DELICATE OP]ATION4 ,! QUALITY ( ! FIRECRACK] IS ASSESS$ BY ! DURATION ( ! E*O ?AT IT PRODUCES :5 IT EXPLODES4 ,ONE TIME ! MIXTURE ( P[D] 9 ! MORT> IGNIT$ SPONTANE\SLY & ALMO/ SET FIRE TO MY BRO!R'S /RAW HUT4 

,MU* LAT]1 :5 ,I WAS WORK+ 9 ,SAIGON & ,BRO!R ,SEV5 WAS SCRAP+ BY AS A MASON1 LIV+ ) ,SI/] ,FIVE AT ,?I ,N<E 9 ! NOR!RN SUBURBS ( ! T[N :]E ,I (T5 W5T TO SEE HIM1 HE WAS /RICK5 ) MAL>IA4 ,I WAS ABLE TO /OP HIS FEV] ) 9TRAMUSCUL> QU99E 9JECTIONS2 BUT !N1 9 HIS CONVALESC5SE1 HE SUDD5LY FELT HIMSELF TRANS=M$ 9TO A TAM] ( SPIRITS & DEMONS4 ,)\T W>N+1 HE LEFT ,?I ,N<E & RETURN$ ON FOOT TO \R VILLAGE4 ,9/EAD ( RETURN+ TO ! FAMILY HOME1 HE W5T TO ! TEMPLE ( ! ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRIT ( ! NEXT VILLAGE1 WALK$ /RAI<T 9TO ! 9VIOLATE SANCTUM1 P>T$ ! CURTA9S1 />$ 9TO ! FACE ( ! ,SPIRIT 79 /ATUE =M7 & BEGAN TALK+ TO HIM AS EQUAL TO EQUAL4 

,! MU*-FE>$ OCCULT 9FLU5CE ( ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRITS EXT5D$ F> 9TO ! C\NTRYSIDE4 ,SOMETIMES PEOPLE ) A DISAGREEM5T SETTL$ !IR DIFF]5CES 9 FRONT ( ! ALT>4 ,TO FREE HIMSELF FROM A FALSE ACCUSATION1 ! ACCUS$ W\LD WR+ ! NECK ( A LIVE ROO/]1 BESEE*+ ! ,V5]ABLE ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRIT TO /RANGLE HIM1 TOO1 IF HE SPOKE 9 BAD FAI?4 

,?IS /RANGE 5C\NT] ( ,BRO!R ,SEV5 ) ! ,GU>DIAN ,SPIRIT1 AN UNPREC$5T$ EV5T 9 ! REGION1 5D[$ HIM 9 ! EYES ( ! RURAL WORLD ) A MY/ICAL AURA & MAGICAL P[]S OV] ! =CES ( EVIL ?AT 9HABIT$ ! 9VISIBLE WORLD4 

,(T5 HE REMA9$ SIL5T4 ,AT O!R TIMES1 9 ! PRES5CE ( FAMILY OR FRI5DS1 HIS WORDS W\LD COME /REAM+ =?1 FOLL[+ A LOGIC DIFF]5T FROM ORD9>Y LANGUAGE4 ,/RET*$ \T ON A HAMMOCK NI<T & DAY1 HE ATE ONLY AT MIDDAY -- A LITTLE RICE ) H&FULS ( R$ PEPP]S4 ,HIS WAY ( DR9K+ TEA WAS TO P\R ! BOIL+ WAT] DIRECTLY 9TO HIS M\?1 ONTO ! TEA LEAVES RE/+ ON HIS TONGUE4 ,HE CONT9U$ TO BAFFLE MY MO!R & O!R BRO!RS1 :O W]E EXTREMELY CONC]N$ AB\T HIS CONDITION4 

,! 5TRY & EXIT ( \R H\SE WAS BY ! TWO SIDE DOORS1 ! FRONT HAV+ BE5 CLOS$ TO \TSIDE VIEW BY HORIZONTAL SLOTS ( WOOD ?AT ALL[$ 9 LI<T & AIR4 ,ONE DAY ( CRISIS1 HIS FACE /ORMY1 DAZ$ & WIDE-EY$1 ,BRO!R ,SEV5 SUDD5LY 0TOOK (F40 ,LEAP+ ?R\< ! N>R[ SPACE BETWE5 ! RO( & ! UPP] CROSSBEAM & D[N ONTO ! C\RTY>D1 HE DISAPPE>$ LIKE A PUFF ( W9D 9TO ! TANGL$ UND]GR[? ( ! P9EAPPLE WOOD4 ,:AT TO DO8 ,BRO!R ,TWELVE TRI$ 9 VA9 TO F9D HIM4 ,\R ANGUI%$ H\SEHOLD DID NOT CAT* ITS BREA? UNTIL ,BRO!R ,SEV5 SUDD5LY REAPPE>$1 UNH>M$1 RELAX$1 HIS FACE S]5E4 ,NOT ONE TE> 9 HIS :ITE CLO!S1 NOT ONE SCRAT* ON HIS NAK$ FEET AFT] PLUNG+ 9TO ! LAC]AT+ BRAMBLES & B>B$ P9EAPPLE LEAVES4 

,! CRISIS EAS$ ) TIME1 & ,BRO!R ,SEV5 EV5TUALLY REGA9$ HIS HABITUAL CALM4 ,BUT HE WAS NO LONG] \R =M] ,ANH ,BAY4 ,A PEASANT FROM ! NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE CALL$ HIM TO HELP ) A POSSESS$ MAN SUFF]+ AN ATTACK4 ,AS SOON AS ,BRO!R ,SEV5 >RIV$ ON ! SC5E1 ! MAN /OPP$ ?RA%+ AB\T & ?REW HIMSELF1 %AK+ & MUMBL+1 TO ,BRO!R ,SEV5'S FEET4 ,AS IF ! ,EVIL ,SPIRIT HAD MET ITS MA/]1 ! POOR VICTIM WAS DELIV]$4 ,FROM ?AT DAY ON1 ! VILLAG]S CAME TO CONSID] ,BRO!R ,SEV5 NOT JU/ AS A HEAL] BUT ALSO AS A SE]1 LIKE ! NEI<BOR+ VILLAGE'S LE>N$ ,TONK9ESE MAN1 & EV5 A MAGICIAN1 LIKE ! MAN :O HAD 9AUGURAT$ ,GREAT-,LADY'S LITTLE TEMPLE 9 \R [N VILLAGE4 ,HE CAME TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE ILLS & BR+ COM=T4 ,AS ! YE>S W5T BY1 LIKE ! TRADITIONAL IT9]ANT DOCTOR-HEAL]S1 HE PREP>$ HIS REM$IES ) PLANT-BAS$ POTIONS US$ 9 ! ,S\? AS WELL AS NOR!RN M$IC9ES ?AT HAD COME FROM ,*9A4 ,LITTLE BY LITTLE1 PEOPLE BEGAN SEEK+ HIM \T1 EV5 FROM DI/ANT PROV9CES4 ,HE LIV$ ON V]Y LITTLE4 ,9 RETURN = HIS HELP1 PEOPLE (F]$ HIM %ELT] & A FRUGAL B[L ( RICE4 ,FROM POOR PEOPLE HE ASK$ NO?+ 9 RETURN4 

,MO/ (T51 HE >RIV$ ON FOOT1 RECOGNIZABLE FROM AF> BY HIS LEAN1 TALL SILH\ETTE %AD$ BY HIS :ITE UMBRELLA4 ,! !RAPY PRACTIC$ BY ,BRO!R ,SEV5 REMA9$ AN 5IGMA4 ,P]HAPS ! DOCTOR FRI5D :O TREAT$ MY FA!R DUR+ HIS LONG ILLNESS HAD TRANSMITT$ SOME TRICKS ( ! TRADE4 ,P]HAPS HE HAD COME ACROSS ! M$ICAL COMP5DIUM ,! ,ESS5CE ( ! ,SPIRITUAL ,>T ( ,HEAL+ 9 ! =M ( 0,QUE/IONS & ,ANSW]S BETWE5 ! ,FI%]MAN & ! ,WOODCUTT]0 BY ,NGUY5 ,D9H ,*IEU1 AU?OR ( ,LUC ,VAN ,TI51 ! FAM\S POPUL> POEM :I* ,BRO!R ,SEV5 KNEW BY HE>T4 

,AS HE GREW OLD]1 ,ANH ,BAY NO LONG] TRAVEL$ AB\T4 ,HE WAS GIV5 LODG+ BY ! [N] ( A ,*9ESE M$IC9E %OP 9 ,?U ,DUC1 & IT WAS !RE ?AT PEOPLE CAME TO CONSULT HIM4 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #h1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,P>T #a1 ,*APT] #b -- ,UPDAT$4 

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