SatJaDham proudly presents an installment in our series of "Generation Gap". Written by Catherine Bounsaythip of France. ------------------------------------------------------ About Generation Gap by Catherine Bounsaythip ------------------------------------------------------ The generation gap in the expatriated Lao community is even more complicated : moving from a middle-age society to a high-tech one, language barrier, moral and social differences and inevitably the society evolution. How do the elderly perceive "free union" which we prudely call unmarried couples ? And you, boys and girls! Do you ever ask yourself how your parents would react when you, a young teenage full of hopes and promising success, life-enjoying,(but because of your enjoying life), come and tell your parents: "my girlfriend is pregnant!" ? The following story is a tennage cry because of lack of parents' model. --------------------------------------------------------- THE TUNNEL Once upon a time, I was born. Happy I was as a baby hanging on mummy breasts and as a little boy on daddy's knees. Then father you had gone. Fortunately I still had my uncle who taught me how to catch a fish or lead a bull. But again, we left from the uncle. We arrive here in this new country, we all felt lost. Oh Daddy! here I found you again. You had found a job and carelessly, I could concentrate myself on my study. I was happy in discovering so many knowledge. You were happy too and encouraged me, for you would like to compensate me to learn what you could not learn. But father, I hardly had just tasted the feeling of security by your presence and power, that for ever you left us. Just on the time I was entering in the tunnel, alone. In the tunnel it was dark. I thought I had enough candles to cross it, but my candles were too short and I could not go further. I arrived at a crossing point. So many paths were offered to me. I had to choose. But which way? No passer-by, no one on the roads. Alone, not even a star in the sky to give me a mere light. Father! are you over there in the sky? OK I am tough, I must act as an adult now. I have to trust my own feelings! Here, where my feelings lead me to. In the dark tunnel, I sought for a company. I saw a very kind and beautiful creature, she was so welcoming. So, I went towards her. And she showed me all the pleasurable things. I found how life was so beautiful. And the sky became clearer and sunny. But soon, dark clouds arrived and tempest was preparing. Oh mother!! my feelings lead me to mistakes. And I cannot step backwards! Why don't you want to understand me ? Why do you make me feel even more guilty? Understand me, I had no clues and no advices before entering the tunnel. I had no references, I had directions, I had no big brother to take my arms. If I had had them, I could have choosen either the right sense or the opposite one and at least I would have known what I expected to find. Of course you have told me the dangers. But not how they looked like... Now that I have croosed the tunnel, I know the monster's face. And I realize that I cannot totally put my blame on you. Oh yes! you too, you are lost, mother! Of course, you could not exactly know how the monster's face in this society. Yes, pardon me, mother, I know that you can hardly understand the language, you can hardly understand the customs for you cannot read their characters. You live through us. But mother, I was too young. Now I have grown up. you can count on me. But was it so necessary to commit such mistakes to grow up? Such mistakes can give you lessons and make you stronger. But some of them destroy your life for long or ever. Hak pheng Catherine email: bounsaythip@univ-lille1.fr ------------------------------------------------------ If you have any comments, please post email to laolit@zac.lao.net.