Sabaidee Folks, This posting is about our Lao consumate trickster, Xieng Mieng. Of course, you may all know of Xieng Mieng's cleverness. And he is never short of his wits, any old tricks of his could be a new one hear. The following is one of them. THE KING TRIES TO, TRICK XIENG MIENG The weather in the kingdom was lovely. It was not too hot. It was not too cold. It was perfect. The sky was blue, the rice fields were green and the air was fresh and breezy. It was a perfect day, a perfect day indeed for a picnic. -Xieng Mieng,' called the king to Xieng Mieng, 'it's a beautiful day. I want to go to the countryside. Let's go for a picnic by the pond.' -How are we going to get there?' asked Xieng Mieng. -Well, I am going to ride my beautiful white horse and you are going to walk, of course,' answered the king. So, the king rode his horse and Xieng Mieng walked. They went through the gates of the palace, through the rice fields and into the deep green forests. Soon, they arrived at a clearing and there was a nice pond where many 'dok bua' (lotus flowers) were in bloom. -Let's stop here,' said the king. 'Your must be very tired, Xieng Mieng, for walking such a long way.' Under the shade of a tree, Xieng Mieng pread out the saad (grass mat) and laid out the picnic lunch. The king and Xieng Mieng ate 'ping kai'(barbecued chicken), 'kao neow'(sticky rice), 'sompak'(pickled vegetables) and 'jeo'(hot sauce) because this type of picnic food was easier to pack. They rather liked to have 'tum mak hoong' (papaya salad)too, but in his excitement for an outing with the king, Xieng Mieng forgot all the necessary ingredients including the motar and pestle for 'tum mak hoong' making! Being a practical person, the king did not mind. For desert they ate mangoes, guavas and sweet tamarind which were in season then. After lunch, the king and Xieng Mieng laid down for a little rest as was customary before going on to other activities. The king was still a little annoyed from the last trick that Xieng Mieng played on him. Today, he was thinking about out-smarting Xieng Mieng for a change. -Xieng Mieng,' said the king, 'you are a clever man. You have tricked me many times. Today, can you trick me so that I will go into the pond? If you can trick me into going into the pond, I will let you ride my white horse on our return home.' -Oh, King, I cannot trick you into going into the pond. I am not as clever as you are.' said Xieng Mieng, sounding defeated. -So, Xieng Mieng, then you admit that I am more clever than you? -Yes, King, that is what I said. You are more clever than me. On the other hand, King, if you go into the pond, I can trick you into getting out of the pond!' The king laughed and said, 'let me see you try!' And the smart king put on his pakaoma (loin cloth) and waded into the middle of the pond. -OK, Xieng Mieng, here I am. I am in the pond. Now, try your tricks to make me get out of this pond!' -Oh no, King, you are more clever than me. I cannot trick you to come out of the pond. Please do stay in the pond. The water is cool. I must go back home now. Since you are staying in the pond, you will not need your horse. So, I will ride it back to the palace for you. Good bye, King. Thank you for the delicious lunch!' Xieng Mieng got on the king's beautiful white horse and rode away wistling a fine tune. -Hey, wait, Xieng Mieng,' hollered the king after Xieng Mieng when he realized that he had been tricked once again. The king got out of the pond and ran after Xieng Mieng asking the latter to 'please, wait up! Xieng Mieng whistled away on the horseback savoring his victory over the king's gullibility once again. End of this episode. Bounheng Inversin 6807 Ingraham Street Riverdale, MD 20737-1707 301-306-0345