My Standard 4 class teacher, Mr. Hong Eng Kooi, was a great story teller and he had the knack of making the class attentive and interested even when it was dark and rainy. When the evening was dark and windy, we knew that Mr. Hong would have a tale for us. It was because teaching and learning was impossible with the rain splashing in through the open windows and the lightning and thunder making us lose concentration.
One evening, the sky was threatening and the clouds were building up in the horizon. Mr. Hong, asked us to keep our stuff into our bags and move the desks and chairs to the middle of the classroom. From experience, we knew that the rain water would splash into the classroom through the open windows. Our windows were bare except for the iron mesh across it.
We were excited because we knew that there would be a tale; short or long, it would not matter as long as we could listen to some eerie or frightening tale. Mr. Hong seemed to have a handful of such tales.
When everybody was gathered in the centre of the classroom, he told us a strange but true tale. After the tale, I leave it to you to decide of its legitimacy.
He came from Sitiawan, a town you would pass through on your way to Lumut. If you want to buy preserved cuttlefish or dried prawns, you can find them here. And if you want to savour fresh seafood, you are in luck here.
At time he was an avid hunter just like many folks in Sitiawan. Many of them had licences to go hunting in the jungles nearby. As planned, Mr. Hong agreed to meet the usual friends at the edge of the jungle one Saturday evening. He had packed an array of light snack of coffee, biscuits and some tidbits. Of course he had his shotgun, a hunting knife, a box of matches and a torchlight.
At the usual meeting place, he met the other three buddies. After the usual greetings and exchange of the latest happenings, they started their walk into the jungle. The weather was fine with a clear sunny sky. It was around 3 o’clock so they had a few hours before sunset. That was what they wanted; to be able to see the animals in the jungle.
They moved quietly and only whispering occasionally. They had a strange feeling; the jungle was as quiet as a graveyard. Normally, they could hear chirping of birds and the call of some animals. But that evening was abnormal indeed. Everything seemed odd and even the breeze was not felt. The leaves were still and the only sound was the footsteps on dried leaves and occasionally the breaking of twigs.
Their hopes were not dampened and they expected a change of luck later in the deeper part of the jungle. After about half an hour it was still the same. So they decided to break up and go separate ways. Maybe this would be better as they could move silently without disturbing the inhabitants in the jungle. Each took one direction and promised to meet the next morning at the foot of the tallest tree.
Mr. Hong moved quietly and stealthily among the bushes and listened with all ears for any sounds to indicate the presence of animals. He was disappointed but nevertheless he trudged on. By then the sky had turned dark suddenly and thick dark clouds gathered above indicating the great possibility of a thunderstorm.
After a few minutes, a light drizzle had started and Mr. Hong felt that he was lost and he could not see the tall tree they had indicated. He panicked and started going around in circles. This was because after walking for a few minutes, he was back at the same spot. He was totally out of his wits.
As an experienced hunter, the only way to get help was climb up a tree and look around. He did that but that was of no help. The next thing was to yell and call for help. He tried that but there was no reply. The jungle seemed to have enveloped him and his call seemed to echo off.
If you are in such a situation, what would your next course of action be.
One evening, the sky was threatening and the clouds were building up in the horizon. Mr. Hong, asked us to keep our stuff into our bags and move the desks and chairs to the middle of the classroom. From experience, we knew that the rain water would splash into the classroom through the open windows. Our windows were bare except for the iron mesh across it.
We were excited because we knew that there would be a tale; short or long, it would not matter as long as we could listen to some eerie or frightening tale. Mr. Hong seemed to have a handful of such tales.
When everybody was gathered in the centre of the classroom, he told us a strange but true tale. After the tale, I leave it to you to decide of its legitimacy.
He came from Sitiawan, a town you would pass through on your way to Lumut. If you want to buy preserved cuttlefish or dried prawns, you can find them here. And if you want to savour fresh seafood, you are in luck here.
At time he was an avid hunter just like many folks in Sitiawan. Many of them had licences to go hunting in the jungles nearby. As planned, Mr. Hong agreed to meet the usual friends at the edge of the jungle one Saturday evening. He had packed an array of light snack of coffee, biscuits and some tidbits. Of course he had his shotgun, a hunting knife, a box of matches and a torchlight.
At the usual meeting place, he met the other three buddies. After the usual greetings and exchange of the latest happenings, they started their walk into the jungle. The weather was fine with a clear sunny sky. It was around 3 o’clock so they had a few hours before sunset. That was what they wanted; to be able to see the animals in the jungle.
They moved quietly and only whispering occasionally. They had a strange feeling; the jungle was as quiet as a graveyard. Normally, they could hear chirping of birds and the call of some animals. But that evening was abnormal indeed. Everything seemed odd and even the breeze was not felt. The leaves were still and the only sound was the footsteps on dried leaves and occasionally the breaking of twigs.
Their hopes were not dampened and they expected a change of luck later in the deeper part of the jungle. After about half an hour it was still the same. So they decided to break up and go separate ways. Maybe this would be better as they could move silently without disturbing the inhabitants in the jungle. Each took one direction and promised to meet the next morning at the foot of the tallest tree.
Mr. Hong moved quietly and stealthily among the bushes and listened with all ears for any sounds to indicate the presence of animals. He was disappointed but nevertheless he trudged on. By then the sky had turned dark suddenly and thick dark clouds gathered above indicating the great possibility of a thunderstorm.
After a few minutes, a light drizzle had started and Mr. Hong felt that he was lost and he could not see the tall tree they had indicated. He panicked and started going around in circles. This was because after walking for a few minutes, he was back at the same spot. He was totally out of his wits.
As an experienced hunter, the only way to get help was climb up a tree and look around. He did that but that was of no help. The next thing was to yell and call for help. He tried that but there was no reply. The jungle seemed to have enveloped him and his call seemed to echo off.
If you are in such a situation, what would your next course of action be.
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