Ameh Neh Ma'Kaun Bu

I rang Mrs Ming in Burma yesterday evening but Hamidah, our domestic helper answered the phone instead. Upon hearing my voice, Hamidah immediately gave the phone to Junior, my 2 and half year old son. I greeted him in Burmese, and he quickly replied " Ngeh ngeh neh kaun deh (I am well). I asked him where's mum, and he replied, "Ameh ein hma, neh ma'kaun bu" (Mum is not well and she's at home).



We then proceeded with small talk, and I asked him "have you eaten?" His reply Eh sa-pi-bi . (Yes, I've eaten). "What did you eat?", I asked him; "Htamin cek tah sa deh" (I ate rice with chicken). He then asked me whether I had eaten, what I had to eat and what I was doing today.

I was so over the moon after hearing him talk on the phone. This is the first time he has conversed with me without his mum prompting him and the conversation we had was so meaningful, especially after he explained to me on his own why Mrs Ming was unable to come to the telephone kiosk to receive my call.

I have longed for this day when Junior and I could chat on the phone together like father and sons do, and now I believe that day has come; now I only wish I could be more fluent in Burmese.

Pictures taken on my last visit to Burma (Myanmar) in January 2005. Pictured are Amikkhan (Junior's uncle), Junior and Bro Ming