Kampung Boy (Ein Frechsdachs Aus Malaysia) By Lat

On Sunday I went to the Institut Terjemahan Buku Malaysia (ITBM)’s garage sale in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur.

The books were cheaper compared to their normal prices since ITBM offered discounts from 25% to 70%.

My father went there to buy a book named, “Kontrak Sosial” written by Aunty Shamrahayu; but he ended buying a few big bags of books.

While looking around the garage sale, my father found a copy of “Kampung Boy”, by Lat which was translated to German, Ein Frechsdachs Aus Malaysia. 

“Kampung Boy” or “Ein Frechsdachs Aus Malaysia” by Lat.

Since I’m learning German, my sister asked my mother to buy it for me so that I can practice my German.

I cannot understand all of the words in the book, but among the sentences that I can understand fully is:

Drei Tage später zahlte mein Vater 15 ringgit an meine Großmutter (normale Gebühr für das erste Kind).
Three days later, my father paid 15 ringgit to my grandmother (normal fee for the first child).

It’s very interesting to read the book especially when I’m trying to understand the story in German.

It’s a very good practice for me and I learnt some new German words which I never knew before.

Making Friends, A Poem By Ahmad Ali Karim

A little red bird
Sitting on a bench,
Comes a big fox,
Speaking fluent French.

The bird doesn’t understand,
For it only speaks German,
It said, “Ich verstehe nicht,”
“Ich heiße Martin Hermann.”

The poor French fox sigh,
‘Cos it can’t understand,
Then they both smile,
And they shake hands.

The Astolf Band, A Story By Ahmad Ali Karim

After a very successful performance in London, Paul Tonnel had a very nice rest in his home. He was sipping his tea and listening to the music when started to think about the old Astolf Band.

Paul Tonnel was the singer and guitarist of the Astolf Band that used to be a very popular band in the 1980s. Suddenly he thought it would be nice if he could re-group and revive the band as it was in the old times. He went to his computer and searched for the addresses of the original members of the band, Paul Tonnel, Martin Flangs, Eve Sara, Lin Bastain and Peter Hard.

He wanted to contact them and to ask them if they want to revive the band. He read the list and then he realised that they all lived far away from each other. He slid his chair to his other computer and used the internet to book a flight to Germany to meet Martin Flangs. Then he went to his bed and went to sleep.

“RRR-IIII-NGGG,” went the alarm clock. Paul ran to his bathroom and brushed his teeth and started to think what would the others think about the his idea. Than he put it out of his mind and ran to his car.

He drove to the Heathrow Airport. He parked his car and waited for his flight. But an hour later, the flight was delayed for another half an hour. While he waited, he took out his hand phone to book another flight to Spain and later to Australia. Pulling his bag to the departure hall, he saw another Astolf Band member, Eve Sara chased by her fans.

He ran after her and asked her if she would like to revive the Astolf Band. Eve whispered, “I have never thought about it but I will if you help me to get out of this crowd”. So, to get Eve away from the crowd, Paul made a 15 minutes show for the very excited fans. After it was over, he only had just enough time to catch his flight.

He found out that Eve was also going to Germany and they ran together to catch the plane. They were almost late but they reached there before the departure gate was closed. Their fans followed them and later went to look out for their plane and waving as they watched the plane flew high up to the sky.

It Germany, the plane went down safely and when Paul’s phone received the signals from satellite, he called Martin. “Marty, I will reach your house at around 9:00 pm tonight. Bye,” said Paul while rushing to get out of the airport and to get to Martin’s house.

At 9:00 pm sharp, Martin heard a car in front of his house. Martin said to himself, “Das sollte Paul,” which means that should be Paul and rushed to open the door. He rushed outside and almost said, “Willkommen Sie alten Freund”. He lived in Germany for more than 2 years now that he almost speak German to his English friend. He quickly change to English, “Welcome my old friend”.

Paul asked Martin about his idea to revive the Astolf Band. Martin thought for a moment and asked, “Would you like a cup of tea?” Eve said, “Yes please, of course” while going inside the house. Paul shook his head and asked again, “Marty, would you like to revive the Astolf Band?”. Martin smiled and answered, “Sure!”.

To be continued…

*Please click here for The Astolf Band (Part 2)

Frankfurt Occupy

German riot police close an anti-austerity demonstration that was not allowed in front of Frankfurt’s famous town hall “Roemer” in Frankfurt, May 17, 2012. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

German police said they detained 150 demonstrators in Frankfurt on Thursday, May 17, for defying a ban on their protest against austerity policies implemented to tackle the euro zone debt crisis.

They splashed paint at the police.

There are lots of demonstrations and riots all over the world.

People who are not happy with their governments just go to the streets or set camps in their cities. 

Don’t they trust their political leaders anymore or did the leaders tell them to demonstrate?

They caused trouble to the innocent people around them.  

They are teaching bad value to kids like me.

I don’t think the end can justifies the means.

German riot police carry left wing politician Dieter Dehm as police close an anti-austerity demonstration that was not allowed in front of Frankfurt’s famous town hall “Roemer” May 17, 2012. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Paint spattered supporters of the Frankfurt Occupy Camp sit in the street after being moved by police officers during the removal of the occupy camp in front of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. The camp which has been occupied for eight months, was cleared ahead of the so called “Blockupy” days, where clashes between anti capitalism demonstrators and police are expected. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

German riot police stand in front of a traditional costume shop as their colleagues close an anti-austerity demonstration that was not allowed in front of Frankfurt’s famous town hall “Roemer” May 17, 2012. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

Paint spattered supporters of the Frankfurt Occupy Camp wait for being taken away by police officers during the vacation of the occupy camp in front of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)

German riot police remove a protester during an anti-austerity demonstration that was not allowed in front of Frankfurt’s famous town hall “Roemer” in Frankfurt, May 17, 2012. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

Plane Crashed In Pakistan

An Airblue passenger jet crashed into the hills near Islamabad Wednesday morning in bad weather.

At least 5 people were killed and 3 wounded.

Many more were feared dead in the crash.

The jet was carrying 152 people from Karachi to Islamabad.

The plane was about to land when it crashed.

Yesterday a Lufthansa cargo plane crashed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This is another disaster.