The bell rang and I knew someone was at the gate. As I pushed open the main door a young girl was stepping in through the gate.
“Pakcik ingat saya lagi, tak?” ( Can Pakcik still remember me, or not?)
Her face was beaming with excitement. Of course she was a familiar face; but before I could pick a right name from that long list answer she already answered her own question, obviously so exhilarated to let something off her chest. “ Fiza, Pakcik. Nak bagi kad lah Pakcik.” ( Fiza, Pakcik. I have a card to give.)
A kad (a card). I knew it. It had to be an invitation card for her wedding. So that was it.
FIZA
Fiza is no stranger to Makcik and Pakcik.(click) End of the tunnel (Part 5 ) featured her elder sister who now has two children, holding a senior position in a private college in Klang Valley. Fiza herself is a nurse at a hospital in Kedah.
A few minutes later, sitting comfortably and obviously relieved after letting off her chest the reason for her visit, she talked about her job and family, a happy family. Her father, now at 61, is still a fisherman and has been one for 46 years. Shouldn’t he call it a day when children have begun to earn good income? I wondered and asked her so.
“ We all have told him again and again that he must stop going out to sea. But can you believe it? If he does not take his boat out for a few days he gets sick – rindukan ombak ( missing the waves)!”
Ten days later we duly attended her wedding, a grand kampong wedding, the second we attended in that particular house. When I looked at the brick house my mind wondered back some fifteen years ago to picture an old wooded house on stilts, often flooded during monoon season. They often needed a small wooden boat to reach the steps of the house from the higher ground around it.
Wedding dayPak Yas (for Alias), the proud father, the ‘old man of the sea’, was equally excited to see us. “ I told Fiza she must send her card personally to Pakcik.” He stressed the word ‘sendiri’ (personally).
Pak Yas - Standing tall
And before we left the proud fisherman confided, “ I hope you will have a chance to come for a third wedding.” Indeed three daughters were ‘graduates’ from Almanar. Two are married and one to go.
In his pink dress the proud father looked young for his age. The secret cannot simply be the happy ending for his family but it has a lot to do with his 46 years of dripping his sweat in the sun and the storms, and being washed by the sprays of salt water of the South China Sea.
Makcik and Pakcik share the happiness of the family of this master fisherman.
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan
38 comments:
Dear Pak Cik,
I love seeing these success stories. It is so refreshing. You must have wanted and yearned such examples when AlManar was started. It must be so satisfying now. Not just from them but more of their parents. They must have felt so obliged and so grateful. Keep the good flag flying, Sir!
Hank
Your posting teared me a little. I have a soft spot for shows of gratitude.. A proud father who is thankful to aomeone who help shape the future of his three daughters..
Like Hank said "keep the good flag flying, Sir!"
In his pink dress the proud father looked young for his age. The secret cannot simply be the happy ending for his family but it has a lot to do with his 46 years of dripping his sweat in the sun and the storms, and being washed by the sprays of salt water of the South China Sea.
This is inspiration for those of us who toil on...
Thank you Pakcik.
Hank,
When I started I did not see that far ahead. It was all a matter of trial and error, determined of course. Because I could not see this far, the outcome has been extremely rewarding. I thank God for granting me the opportunity to start and persist
Ayah Wang
I think we all need something to keep us going against the odds. Your project is one. Keep pushing.
Ninot,
I like this End of the tunnel series. It brings home the meaning of persistence against difficulties, the will to carry on because I know that success means a lot to these children who deserve a share in life no less than our loved ones. We have to learn to be selfless, dear Ninot. You see such a father as Pak Yas who knows no hardship, no fear no end to his effort for his family.
Pakcik..
Still remember me? But for sure I don't have any card yet for you. :)
So sorry for the long silence. I know you must be mad at me right.. But here I just want to say that I'm happy seeing my friends getting married, having nice jobs and also making you and their families proud. I'll see you when I'm back in Terengganu. Anyway, congratulations to Fiza!
*your posts always make my eyes teary..
-Mimah-
Alhamdulillah, you too should be congratulated for your sincere effort in changing their lives...You found an institution which has truly given lots of hope to people who would otherwise be left as incompetent human beings. Insya-Allah, you have your big role in making them functional and meaningful members of our society.
Dikandung tanah badan nan hancur, Ingatan ke budi tak mungkin lebur!
Dear Pakcik,
I think this sort of personally handed 'card' is one of the things that keep you doing the things that you're doing. It riches the heart and make you healthier, 18 years and counting...:)
Pokcik Hassan thanks for narrating this wonderful human story that touches my heart and I believe others too.
To sum it up I would like to quote this Chinese words of wisdom " When one drink from a cup one should not forget that the water in the cup comes from a stream somewhere " and in this case She truly remembered with her hearts.
Have a nice day and take care.
Assalamualaikum Pak Cik,
What can I say except seconding the comments already said here..
Temuk,
'Dikandung tanah badan nan hancur, Ingatan ke budi tak mungkin lebu'
I am no Malay scholar by any standard. I have not seen this and wonder if it is yours or an adaptation from something similar. It is beautiful.
Pleasant words do help to stoke up fire of enthusiasm. Thank you.
Naba TM
Sometimes a couple of fish and a crab do wonders to make you unerdestand how needed is your help, and how high the little you offer matters to the needy heart.
I hope your initiative will bear fruit. I can never thank you enough.
Cheqna,
Your mere appearance lends support to a good cause - the unspoken words. Thank you.
Di kala menulis:
"Dikandung tanah badan nan hancur, Ingatan ke budi tak mungkin lebur"
saya sebenarnya amat teringat akan pantun murni pusaka kita, yang amat cocok dihulurkan ke pangkuan tuan:
Pulau Pandan jauh ke tengah,
Gunung Daik bercabang tiga;
Hancur badan dikandung tanah,
Budi yang baik dikenang juga.
Salam bahagia.
Congratulations to Fiza and husband.I have never seen her at Al-Manar but her face is familiar to me. We must have met somewhere in Batu Rakit.
~AZMIERA~
Azmiera,
Fiza is several years your senior, and she has been away from KT since her SPM.
Azmiera, prepare yourself for a role in 'End of the tunnel'! I am not kidding. Bukan senang nak cari anak Tok Bilal jadi doktor gigi.
Temuk,
ItulAh sebab saya rasa seperti sudah pernah dengar. Jahilnya. Pantun pusaka bangsa sendiripun tidak tahu.
Tentu orang seperti Ninot dan Hank amat selesa dengan pantun pantun sebegini. Kita akan minta mereka terjemahkan kedalam bahasa Melayu.
Sdr Temuk, pohon jangan lah kiranya menggunakan 'Tuan' sesama kita.
When Pakcik beckons, we try our best never to disappoint him. However, the caveat here is the reminder that the old classic Malay pantun are among the highest and most sophisticated of poetry and literature in the world, and thus extremely difficult to translate.
Nevertheless, here goes.
"Dikandung tanah badan nan hancur, Ingatan ke budi tak mungkin lebur"
Long after remains turn to dust
Your kind deed, enshrined in trust
Pulau Pandan jauh ke tengah,
Gunung Daik bercabang tiga;
Hancur badan dikandung tanah,
Budi yang baik dikenang juga.
Pulau Pandan - far out at sea
Gunung Daik, of treacherous ways
Earth might engulf the body
Yet, your good deed lingers...
Forever and a day.
mm so far I know only Ninot can translate/transform a Malay Pantun to an English pantoun.. :)
Love you reply to Ninot's
"I know that success means a lot to these children who deserve a share in life no less than our loved ones".
May Allah bless you , your loved one and your students as well..sokmo sokmo ;)
Temuk,
There we are, my friend! Before the sun rises we have Ninit and her translation. I wonder how she can be so alert and is able to track down where her name is mentioned at any time of the day or night. We have to be careful when we speak something behind her back.
Ninot,
Marvellous you. Thanks for the quick translation. I never knew how well regarded our Malay pantun are. I am glad to have experts around. Talk about plants and I will think of
Tamuk, a very special Cikgu.
Thank you dear Ninot.
This is a truly wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us. I like the story of the Old Man and the Sea and the expression 'rindu ombak' sums it all.
Dear Pakcik,
The cats have been napping too much and thus missed this lively discussion about fish, fisherman, wedding, deeds....in that order? Actually we have teamed up with Aunty Ninot and been training hard for the Monsoon Cup. We have decided to accept your challenge of a race at Pulau Duyong, but taking it to a higher level by participating in the Cup. What say you? Would you cheer for us or Ayoh Wang Sharif 'orebule leper'? purrr...meow!
Dear CfS,
I thought the discussion of fish and fishermen would draw you out.
Ah yes, we accept 'the challenge?
I just weeded the garden for strengthening the biceps.
Awang Goneng,
Thank you, Mi. One time living in a place like Tanjung, very similar to Batu Rakit, you are familiar with this kind of story, and the it must ring a bell somewhere.
Ayoh Wang,
Now you are in real trouble The Cat and the Poet are taking up the challenge as you notice above. If you are sensing your feet gertting cold, create an excuse like going out deep-sea drilling or something.
C-f-S and Ninot,
Thank you for your responses which make my dull life here somewhat more lively. Of late I have been wondering how my dear Makcik has survived these many years with the sort of life I have chosen; with her consent, no doubt.
I am sure Ayah Wang will go for any challenge, duel or ottherwise. Kite bawok Awang Goneng dengang kapa terebang jjadi tok hakim. And I will present each participant one a glass of cocvonut water specially chilled in the South China Sea sprays.
Alamak.. I am in real trouble now.. with the Poet strengthening her biceps, I must take some measures to improve my chance of giving those two ladies a fight of sort.. and you are calling Sir Awang Goneng to be the judge!.. now I am in for real deep .... ada peluang nak chill-out ke ni?.
I believed Makcik knew the value of life you have chosen and has enjoyed all the ups and downs life has to offer with you on her side.. like I said you have achieved what I have dreamed to accomplish in my later years..
That glass of coconut water sound tempting though..
Ayah Wang,
We will settle the whole thing amicably. Sit back and do a bit of meditation. Why are we fighting? The whole ummah are, worldwide. Everyone does his/her bit for the needy, especially for the education of the coming generation, and we will have a future.
You have a noble thought for the future. It is not at all difficult with your experience, believe me. But do not wait until you become a billionaire. Time and tide, that both of us are too familiar with, wait for no man. At least there is a time and tide table, ours .. ?
Salaam to you and family, and to our two friends.
Pakcik,
Seperti kacang yang tidak melupakan kulit.
Benih kacang yang baik walaupun tercampak di mana jua pasti hidup subur dan baik. Justeru akan menghasilkan benih yang baik juga.
Begitu juga bakti murni Pakcik yang telah berjaya menjadikan anak2 orang lain berjaya dalam kehidupan mereka dengan bantuan Allah swt pasti jua Pakcik akan mendapat ganjaran baik dari Maha Pencipta. Insya'Allah.
Saya mendoakan semuga Pakcik mendapat keberkatan dari usaha murni Pakcik dan isteri yang tentunya tidak jemu2 memberi dorongan dan inspirasi.
Amin.......
PakMail,
Terimakasih atas doan yang baikn itu. Doanya untuk kita semualah. Saya rasa bila kita buat sesuatu yang kita tahu bermunafaat tanpa harapan melihat hasil nya, kita akan rasa amat berbesar hati walaupun hasilnya tidak lah sebegitu besar.
Semuga Allah swt kurniakan pakcik kesihatan dan kemudahan untuk mendidik lebih ramai lagi anak-anak kampung untuk terus berjaya, insyaAllah.
Pokcik Hassan thanks for narrating this wonderful human story that touches my heart and I believe others too.
To sum it up I would like to quote this Chinese words of wisdom " When one drink from a cup one should not forget that the water in the cup comes from a stream somewhere " and in this case She truly remembered with her hearts.
Have a nice day and take care.
Oldstock,
Thanks for the good wishes. I read with interest your posting. Tersilap pula kenyataan dalam komen. Hope all is well with you.
Pak Idrus,
Salaam Pak Idrus dan keluarga. You seem to be a Chinese scholar as well among other things. To be to remember and quote is truly great. Thank you for dropping by. You seem to have continuous stream of idea to write, almost every day.
From the response that you get, Akhi Pakcik Al-Manar, you can tell how touching and heart-warming your entry is. i must say it's not just the story but the way it's told. You not only helped the kids often dropped by the mainstream education system to rediscover themselves and their capability, but by the stroke of your fine verbal brush make the characters you described jumped up alive. Fiza and Pak Yas immediately became memorable and impressive characters even with the sparse description that you gave us.
Congratulations and I look forward to sharing more of your wonderful experience in helping to make life more meaningful to more people in this sometimes inexplicable world.
Norzah,
You are too generous with your compliments. Thank you.
What I can achieve here is so insignificant by comparison to the immensity of the problem in this rural environment. You have analysed a lot of the ills and failures in our society as an overview. I am looking at their effects at the very root. It is truly heart-breaking if one cares to see with despair at many things that do not go well.
So I write about the few success stories, magnified and exaggerated to comfort myself, to help me feel good lest I quit with despair.
That is how it is, my friend.
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