Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 16, 2025
"We would like to see your umbrellas," explained Fil's father. I thought the workman would show us silk or cloth ones, that would roll up tight. "Why, this one is very thick," I said. "Lift it. It really is not heavy," explained Fil's father. "How is it made?" I inquired. "It is made out of split bamboos, which are spread out in a circle. Oiled silk, or oiled hemp cloth, is pasted over the frame.
Creeping up quietly to the entrance, Fil and Moro threw stones and oranges and mangoes up to the echoing roof. "Lie down quick," shouted Fil's father. We had need to stoop, for there was a whirring in the roof of the cave and over its mouth, like the sound of birds or aeroplanes. "What are they, owls or eagles?" I exclaimed.
Fil, as a Dresden China Shepherdess, needed much assistance in the settling of her panniers, and the arrangement of her curls, which by special permission from Mrs. Best had been twisted up in curl papers from four o'clock until the last available moment, and came out, much to Fil's satisfaction, in quite creditable ringlets.
I asked laughingly. "Oh, he jokes too, and you don't check him," remarked Fil, who looked at his father. Fil's father smiled. "What is this tough, crooked elbow stick, fixed to a long pole?" I inquired. "A plow," answered Fil wisely: "Don't joke. How can you have a plow wholly made of wood?" I asked. "I'll tell you," said Fil. "You see our rice fields are flooded and soft.
The seat was made of split bamboo, round side up, and all was as smooth, restful, light, and pliable as could be wished; and not a dangerous nail nor a saw used to make it. "You can throw these chairs about. They never break, because they give way a little, like a spring. They are elastic, yet strong," explained Fil's father. "And they cost only a few cents," added the Padre.
"Yes," said Fil's father, "our Malay horses, just like the Chinese horses, are more like spirited little ponies. They have hard mouths, but when they know you and are well treated, they obey well. Some day, when you ride over the hills on one, you will see how sure-footed they are on the trails; as safe as mountain goats. Your larger horses would tumble over in those difficult places."
Then there was another pause, after the Padre and Fil's father had whispered. Suddenly Moro ran out with a rush, to give a wild Mohammedan dance. How strangely he was dressed! He wore tight red trousers, a red and blue turban on his head, and a tight jeweled tunic, covered with pearl buttons. His sash was green, dotted with purple spots.
We sometimes feed the molasses to cattle and pigs, to make them fat for market." Fil's eyes looked very longingly as he listened to this tale of good things; so I passed him a penny or two. "Is not sugar made also from very sweet, dark beets?" I inquired. "Not in these islands," replied the Padre. "We find that the sugar cane gives a sweeter and a more nutritious product.
She linked herself now on to Fil's disengaged arm, taking the latter's pile of books with her own and began towing her two friends in the direction of the hostel. "I've hardly had time even for a squint at our dormitory yet," she announced. "Mrs. Best said I was late, and made me pop down my bag and fly; but she told me we were all four together, so I went off with an easy mind.
But we have much rain, and our roads are not all paved with rock," explained Fil's father. "If we used those high wheels on the muddy roads, they would sink so far down that the buffalo or bullock could not pull out the cart that was loaded with rice or sugar." "So you see, the sleigh slips more easily through the slippery mud," added Fil. "But what if you fell off, a mile from a crossing?"
Word Of The Day
Others Looking