This Is My Life

Marie Venø Thesbjerg

My Life

It’s like a stranger in a dark night No one can foretell the shortcoming of life Life is a song of love Which everybody loves to sing Life is a day of happiness, a day of gay With a song of a bird and the hum of a bee Life happens only once Plan a lot of happy days for your life

Go ahead. Take a look and enjoy the

ir stories!

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Marie Venø Thesbjerg

Sonam Gyelmo 14 years old

In this book you will meet a lot of chi ldren from the country of Bhutan located in the Himalayas. They will tell about their everyday life, their family, friends, schools, their unique culture, nature and about their dream s for the future.

Stories from Children in Bhutan

Life is a journey Without a destination No one knows from where it comes Life is mystery

Stories from Children in Bhutan

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The Way of Life I swear I was born free I was born innocent and pure I was naked within and out And I was clad in white As I breathed and saw more Dust of mankind fell on me Marred the colour of my cloth And my face and my heart People cheat and get cheated If this is how the world moves Should I move with the world?

Or should I pave my own way?

Dorji Rinchen from Yadhi

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This is My Life n ta u h B in n re d il h C om fr es ri to S

Marie Venø Thesbjerg

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This is My Life – Stories from Children in Bhutan © 2012 Marie Venø Thesbjerg & children of Bhutan www.lifeinbhutan.dk Graphic Design: Mikael Schilling [www.mikaelschilling.dk] Front page photo: Tashi Phuntsho from Merak in East Bhutan Back page photo: from Gyatsa in Central Bhutan Printed by Akaprint a/s 1.Version. 1. Edition 2012 ISBN 978-87-994650-1-9 Published with support from the Danish Ministry of Education Tips and Lottery funding Published by: Marie Venø Thesbjerg Klostervej 36 8680 Ry www.wordbyword.dk mail@wordbyword.dk All rights reserved. Photographic, mechanical or other reproduction of this book or parts thereof is prohibited without publisher’s written permission according to current Danish copyright law. Institutions that have entered into an agreement with Copydan can copy within the limits specified in the agreement.

Thank You It was not possible to make this book without the help of teachers in the schools involved, and of course the participating children in Bhutan, who kindly shared stories and took pictures. Thank you for sharing parts and feelings of your life!

Signe Ebdrup for typing all the handwritten stories from the children in Bhutan into computer text.

Tobias Ugilt for scanning photos from a negative to a digital format. Mads Greve for kind assistance.

The Danish who, by donating their old cameras, kindly helped the project.

The mail delivery in Bhutan for making it all the way out in different regions of Bhutan by narrow and tortuous roads with the cameras, and back again.

Phub Wangdi for translating Dzongkha text into English.

My friend Phub Wangmo, for always helping me.

Jessica Beaghen, Sanne Maria Mikkelsen and Theodor Klostergaard for proofreading.

Anne Friis Hansen for didactical guidance.

Mikael Schilling for dedicated graphic work.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) in Thimphu for contacting schools in Bhutan.

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Index

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1. Facts

page 01

2.

Everyday Life in the Country Side in the Town in a Nunnery

page 04 page 10 page 16

3. School

page 20

4. Family

page 26

5. Food

page 32

6. Friends

page 38

7. Belief

page 42

8. Future

page 54

9. Glossary

page 60

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Facts

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My Country is Bhutan Bhutan is bordered by Tibet in the north and the Indian states of Assam, Sikkim and West Bengal to the east, west and south.

Bhutan is the land of the Thunder Dragon. Our national flag carries a picture of a dragon, and two colours symbolising the leadership of Bhutan.Yellow is for the King and the political leadership, and orange symbolises the religious leadership.

Sonam Deki

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Gankhar Puensum

China

BHUTAN Punakha

Dungkhar Lhuentse

Trongsa

Haa

Wangdue

Gaupel Gaselo

Paro

Merak Yadhi

Samdrupcholing Zhemgang

Dorokha Samtse

Chuka Wangkha Phuentsholing

Bardo

Pema Gatshel

n a t u h ts B

c a F t s Fa

Tsebar

Tsirang Sarpang

Trashigang

Mongar

Taktse Daga

India

Trashi Yagtse

Ura

THIMPHU Damthang

Bumdeling

Gelephu

Samdrup Jongkhar

Location: In the Himalayas between India and Tibet Population: 750,000 Capital: Thimphu Area: 46,500 square kilometers Language: Dzongkha, English, Tibetan and Nepali dialects Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism Politics: Democracy since 2008 Currency: Ngultrum, Indian rupee

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Long Live the Kingdom Bhutan is a country It is the land of the Thunder Dragon It is calm and peaceful People call it Druk Yul (land of the Thunder Dragon) The words make me feel something inside It is touched by modern civilisation Such as machines Though it is a small country We don’t have nightmares about war Because our beloved King is there to help us Long Live the Kingdom!

Sonam Tsheten

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Everyday Life

in the Countryside

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My house is old and big, and I love my house. My house is situated in Merak in the far east of Bhutan. Our house was built in 1981 when I was not even born. There are few houses in my village.

There are seven in my family. My brother takes care of the horses and the cows. We do not have yaks and donkeys, as many others do in our village. The cows give milk, butter, cheese and meat. We sell meat, cheese and butter to other people, and buy rice and vegetables in return. We bring rice and vegetables from other towns. It is very difficult to carry the loads, and that’s why we bring them on horseback. Some people grow vegetables such as cabbage, radish and potatoes. My mother weaves different kinds of cloth, and sells it to people.

The forest near my village

School with food and naughty friends

In my village there is one school. It is called Merak Community Primary School. The school is 17 years old. Once there was a headmaster and 12 students. Now there are seven teachers and 191 pupils. There are seven classrooms. I go to school to learn, and to read.

We have lunch at school from the World Food Programme (WFP). I have many good friends at school. Some are big and some are small, but I like them all. Friends are helpful, but some friends are naughty when they take my books.

Sports

I love archery. It is our national sport, and many of the village men practise it. We also play volleyball and soccer.

My village is surrounded by forest with many wild animals, and various plants and trees. We have easy access to firewood, but the forest is reduced because too many people take firewood from the woods.

Rinchen Tashi from Merak

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Up In The Sky Up in the sky I saw birds Down in the valley I saw dogs and yaks In school l I saw a garden in front of the schoo ing up In the garden young plants were com In the dream I closed my eyes It was very dark I saw my friends and parents

Rinchen Tashi from Merak

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Yak Festival In Merak This is one of my favourite stories about the yaks from my place. My parents used to tell me this story when we were gathered around the fireplace in the evening.

Once upon a time there were three brothers. The youngest brother was ugly and his parents did not like him. They gave him an old hat and a short rope and sent him out of the house.

He was sad. He cried and cried.

The boy was wandering and he reached a big piece of ground. He said to the ground: �From today and onwards, ground, you are my parents.�

The beautiful bird

He turned to the right three times and turned to the left three times. He saw a beautiful bird flying above the ground. He went there and saw three eggs in a nest.

One egg was black, another was white, and the third one was brown. He broke the black egg. A yak came out.

The yak was taken by the goats. He broke the white egg, and a white yak came out of it. The yak was taken by the demi-gods.

Lastly he broke the brown egg, and a white female yak came out of it. This time he tied up the yak and kept it for himself.

He gave the female yak to his parents – the ground.

The last yak to the earth

In this way the female yak was given to this earth, and since that day people of Merak and Sakteng in the far east of Bhutan have been performing yak cham (a festival celebrating the beloved yaks).

Today the people of Merak and Sakteng still celebrate the yak cham festival once a year.

Rinchen Tashi from Merak

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Everyday Life in the Town

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My name is Sonam Chopel. I am 12 years old and I am in class VI. My town is Samtse and I have six members in my family. My father is a head teacher and my mother is a teacher. I have an elder brother and a sister. My grandmother also lives with us.

We have a big house. I am lucky that I live in a town where there are so many good facilities I can use in my everyday life.

So my everyday life is different from the children in rural areas. I feel sorry for these children who come from villages because they cannot use the modern facilities like I do.

Getting ready for school at 6 a.m.

My daily life starts at 6.00 a.m. in the morning. I get ready for school and I go to school at 8.00 a.m. In the school we start the day with social work, prayer and important announcements of the day. By 3.20 p.m. the school day ends with the evening prayers.

I love table tennis

So I spend most of my time in the school.

I enjoy being in the school because there are so many interesting activities besides reading and writing. We have different

clubs and I am in the table tennis club. I have joined this club because I love playing it. I also have many good friends who I have a great time with. Sometimes I also get angry and quarrel with them.

When this happens I feel lonely and sad.

So the next day I say sorry, and apologise if I am wrong, and we are friends again.

When I feel very proud of myself

Right after school I come back home. I also like being at home with my family. We discuss many interesting things that happened in the school during the day. I also love to eat the delicious food prepared by my grandmother who is very old and can not hear. When I am at home I help my parents with small chores like watering our small flower garden, washing my father’s car, and washing my own clothes.

These are moments when I feel very proud of myself.

Weekends are also special for me because I go swimming and play football with my friends.

Creative and trying new things

Besides playing, the thing I like the most is creating new things with simple machines

So sad to see

In my everyday life there are also some sad moments. I feel sad and sorry when I see poor and homeless people. When I grow up I think I will do something to help them. I always like to see my parents share happy times together, but when things go wrong they sometimes quarrel.

This makes me very sad.

This makes me feel good

Samtse town, where I live, is a small town but there are many modern facilities.

We also have a big chorton (stupa) and a monastery where people can pray and ofAt the weekends I also enjoy going shopfer butter lamps on special days. I also like ping with my mother. Sometimes, when going to these places with my parents to my mother gives me a list of things to buy offer our prayers. It makes me feel good. from the grocery shop, I feel happy and proud because she trusts me in Sonam Chophel calculating the money correctly.

from Samtse 11

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Wish I wish I could fly Like a beautiful bird Up in the sky, so high I would see people in crowds Shouting at me with loud voices I would enjoy it very much Like playing with a toy I would feel very free Up above the mountains and planes Like an airplane On a journey of thousands of miles

Sonam Chopel from Samtse

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The Ungrateful Man – A Folk Story This is the bedtime Bhutanese story told to me by my father when I was in first grade.

Once upon a time in a village there lived a poor man. One day, when he was going to town, he found a very unique hen. He took it to his house and he kept it for a month. Then one day he woke up in the morning and found a golden egg. Then he became very happy and fed the hen and after that day the hen always used to lay golden eggs. Slowly he became very rich. One day he decided to kill the hen because he wanted more than one golden egg every time. He thought the hen was very old and could not lay more eggs. But before it was killed, the hen laid a golden egg and hid it under a bush because the hen knew the cruel man’s intentions of killing her.

Hammer, needle, cow dung and the bee make plans

After a few days the egg came out of the bush to take revenge against the man. The egg was going to the farm where the man lived. On the way to the farm, he met his four old friends which were a hammer, a needle, cow dung and a bee. They all made a plan to teach the man a lesson. As planned, the hammer hid behind the door, the needle hid under the mattress, the cow dung waited outside the house and the bee hid inside the coop.

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The four friends and the egg take revenge

When the man arrived from the market, the egg made a loud noise like that of his mother after laying an egg and, hearing the sound of a hen, the man rushed to the coop in surprise. The bee who had been waiting for the man stung him on the nose and the man shouted in pain and went running to the house. As he tried to enter the house, he slipped on the cow dung and banged his head very badly on the ground. Then he got up and entered the house but the hammer hiding behind the door hit the man very hard on his head.

Don’t be so greedy‌

By that time, the man was really suffering a lot of pain. So, he wanted to go to his bed and lay down. But the needle hiding underneath the mattress pierced his buttock. So, he couldn’t bear the pain anymore and went outside the house for help but he fell down into the pit and died.

The egg and his four friends were happy because of their successful plan.

Lastly I end here with a small message that greediness and ungratefulness bring unhappiness. So this story tells us to be happy with what you have and also be kind to others.

Sonam Chopel from Samtse

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Everyday Life in a Nunnery

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My name is Dechen Choden. I am twelve years old and a nun in the nunnery Karma Drubdey at Trongsa. I’ve been here in the monastery for three months. I come from a family with four siblings. I have an older sister, an older brother, and a younger sister.

I come from Samdrubcholing. In the village I had to work hard, look after the cattle, work in the fields and gather firewood.

A wish to find the land of bliss

I chose to come here myself. I want to find the land of bliss Dewachen. That is why I came here.

I am very happy to be a nun here. We’re comfortable with each other here. I have many good friends. I like to tend the flowers and water them.

Happy and learning a lot

I’ve never gone to school. My parents did not send me to school as there was no one to look after the cattle in our home. Here I can learn to read and write and learn about the Buddha.

We learn Dzongkha and English. I’m very happy here. I am happier here than in the village. Sometimes I see my family, they come to visit, and I can visit them.

Prayer, work and studies

We practise the Buddha’s teachings - how to be tolerant, kind and patient. How you love others.

We get up at 4 in the morning for morning prayers in the temple. Afterwards we study and receive instruction. At midday we have lunch. Then we receive teachings or study by ourselves.

In the afternoon we work sometimes, clean up, and water the flowers. We have also helped to build new rooms here. In the afternoon we pray in the temple before we have supper. For special events we decorate the temple altar and offer a lot of food on the altar.

Dechen Choden from Trongsa Nunnery 17

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Angay Baodem and Angay Baogem This story my father told to me as a bedtime story. It has fascinated me ever since, and I will always learn from it: There once was a village called Kazhi. Here lived two women Angay Baodem and Angay Baogem. They both had a disease called goiter, where the neck has lumps. Both their goiters were the size of a pumpkin.

They had the same disease and nearly identical names but their personalities were very different. Angay Baogem was a very religious, compassionate person with a big heart. She was always ready to help others. Angay Baodem was the opposite.

She was jealous, selfish and would not lift a finger to help others.

On a long journey

One day Angay Baogem went to the water mill to grind rice. It was a long journey, and she had to go through a thick forest with the rice bag on the back. She started early morning and it was night before she reached the water mill. She had to sleep there, and she sat down under a tree and offered a prayer to the goddess Dema to protect her at night.

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A demon finds Angay Baogem

She fell asleep without knowing that Sinpo a carnivorous demon was nearby. He expected her to be asleep so he could enjoy his feast. He stared at her in astonishment, “What a strange creature.

There is so much meat hanging from her neck. It looks delicious!”He cut off the goiter and ran away greedily with the lump.

When Angay Baogem woke up she saw that the goiter was gone. She was so happy that she sang and danced all the way back to the village. People were delighted and surprised by her story.

Angay Baodem also heard the story and a thought went through her head, “Angay Baogem looks beautiful without the goiter.

If she can get it removed, then I can too.”

Angay Baodem calls for Sinpo

Angay Baodem took off early one morning with a sack of rice and came to the mill for the evening. She sat under the same tree and lay down to sleep without praying. She soon became impatient, so

she shouted, “Hey, you, Sinpo, come out and take my goiter.” Sinpo was furious because someone was trying to give him orders. He wanted to see who it was.

When he saw her he was reminded of the previous goiter he had eaten that tasted very bitter. He threw it up on her neck and said, “Take your meat back, I do not like it”, and then he ran away.

She gets what she deserves

The next morning when Angay Baodem woke up, she had not just one but two swollen goiters on the neck. She was ashamed of her behaviour and went back to the village full of regret. Everybody laughed at her and thought she was given what she deserved.

This story tells us that we must always be sincere in our thoughts. A Bhutan proverb says: “If you have good thoughts then even the earth and the sky clear the way for you, but if you have evil thoughts the very earth and sky will be your obstacles.”

Kesang Yuden from Sarbang Tar 19

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School

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How I go to School and learn with my Teachers 5.30: I wake up early in the morning and go directly to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. Then I get dressed and go for morning study with some of my friends who are good students.

those books that describe our unique culture, and legendary myths.

7.00: Before we go to assembly we have to do social work. My chores during the social work are: - To clean the assembly ground - To flush the drains, and advise my younger brothers and sisters to pick up the papers in and around the academic block and classroom buildings.

12.00: While my friends, who are boarders go for their lunch I walk home to have lunch with my two younger siblings. My family waits at home for us to have lunch together.

Our third period is very interesting and is my best subject. Hari Prasad is my science teacher. I like to experiment in the 6.00: Our morning study starts. After that I return home to have laboratory especially to mix the different solutions and to find breakfast with my parents. We have navy blue stockings and the results. I also like to see parts of objects through a black shoes as our school uniform. I wear this school uniform microscope. Our fourth period is Geography. The teacher which we call Sethara in our language. I also have a younger comes to class well prepared and teaches us on the concept of sister and a brother who walk with me to school. our earth and the natural surroundings.

8.20: Our national anthem starts. I go to assembly with all my friends. It is my turn to give today’s speech. All the teachers are standing in the front of the assembly hall. Our head teacher is standing in the middle of the teaching group.

My first period is Mathematics. It is a big headache for me as I struggle to do well. My maths teacher guides me when I have a problem. We have Dzongkha in the second period, which is our national language. I enjoy reading Dzongkha books, especially

1.00: We go back to school to attend the sixth period. It is a relaxing time for us since it is Value class. It is a lesson where we learn about our heritage, culture, our songs and stories.

3.20: As soon as our school closes we take down our national flag and attend evening prayer. After that I go home to rest for a while and do my homework.

7.30: I have my dinner with my family and by eight o’clock I go to sleep.

Tashi Tobgay from Yadi 21

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School Surroundings Our school name is Bardho Primary School.

It is under Zhemgang District. Our school was built in 1965, and at our school there are 85 students, four teachers, and two cooks.

There are three buildings, and our school has classes from PP to six, and there are many flowers surrounding the school. At our school there are two grounds, the football ground and the volleyball ground. The school has six toilets, one kitchen, and one dining hall. In this school there are many trees like peach trees, banana trees, rhododendrons, walnut trees, cypress trees, and oak trees, etc.

There is one hostel for boys and one hostel for girls. The head teacher has a house, and there are two kitchens for teachers, and two World Food Programme stores. At our school there is tap water and one spring for water.

Chimi Dama from Bardho

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We wear our National Dress and speak Dzongkha We all wear our national dress, gho and kira, when we go to school.

The gho is for boys and the kira is for girls. We all study English and Dzongkha. Dzongkha is our national language and also an important part of our studies. Writing and reading Dzongkha takes a long time to learn and requires constant practice. We students are only allowed to speak Dzongkha and English in the school compound.

Every Bhutanese child must attend school from age six. However, many children attend school from age four.

Kesang Delkar from Taktse

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Class is my Home Students are my friends Karma Leki is my name Football is my favourite game Ground is green Sky is blue Bumdeling is the name of my school River is high Sand is low I love my village

Karma Leki from Bumdeling

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Dustbin Oh! Dustbin Staying at the back of the door Dirty things are thrown inside you You say: “USE ME” But sometimes people are not using you Why is that?

You remain as empty as my stomach Hungrily waiting Near the step, behind the door Without knowledge to fill yourself You have no wish to fill yourself Only quoting “USE ME” Oh! Dustbin The people around you Disagree for your words; “USE ME” Wherever people go they see you Dustbin, dustbin Thank you for saying “USE ME” Now we use you and obey you

Sangay Wangchuk from Ura

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Family

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My Family I always think that I am a very lucky girl to be born in this beautiful and peaceful country and by my loving parents. I am my parents’ only daughter, and my brothers’ only sister of my four brothers. So that’s why I am the most loved person in my family. My family consists of my dad, my mum, my four brothers, my grandmother and myself.

My dad is an ex-Gup (village leader), my mum is a housewife, my brother Sonam is a monk in Mysore, my brother Phurba a clerk, and my two younger brothers are students studying in classes five and three. I am my mother’s third child. I had two sisters but they died due to an evil spirit in my village. My parents told me that the spirit used to kill all their daughters. So my eldest sister lost her life, and after her my eldest brother Sonam was born.

My brother Phurba was born next, and my second sister, who died too, was born after him.

After her I was born and my parents told me that if Dalai Lama wasn’t there to save me I might have faced the same fate as my sisters did. I still have faith in him. I love my family more than anything in the universe. I would even give my life for them.

Sangay Lhaden from Daga 27

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ACHO (Big Brother) It’s true that birth is given by parent s But my life is a gift from my acho Who helps me see the world better Teaches me what is the best for me Corrects me if I am wrong He always guides me along the right path Teaches me patience, tolerance, per severance, punctuality and discipline Makes me laugh, makes me cry But through the tears and smiles I learned the things that no books can teach He never hurts my feelings Does not allow any kind of boredom or illness invade my mind He is the one I love and respect And feel proud of, for his goodness and integrity All the values and principles That govern my life have been instille d in me by acho Whatever I am today is only becaus e of him To his greatness I owe my life

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Tschewang Dorji from Gaupel

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Only One Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky Hundreds of birds go singing by Hundreds of butterflies on the flowers Hundreds of bees in one swarm Hundreds of flowers in a beautiful garden Hundreds of sweets in a shop Hundreds of fish in the sea Hundreds of animals in the wild Hundreds of fruits in our forest Hundreds of people in the world But only one wonderful mother in all over the world

Prakeet Raj Gurung from Samtse

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My Old Granny Oh! My old granny You’re my best nanny Your touch never I forget Your presence never I regret You caught my tiny fingers And showed me the way You’re my best nanny That’s what I say Your soothing voice I hear no more Your gentle form I see no more Granny, you’re no more But I want you more and more Your absence fills my eyes with tears Which I can’t bear I love you my granny You’re my best nanny

Tshering Pem from Wangkha

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Food

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Early in the morning Bhutanese drink tea with ‘Zhau’ (fried rice). Rice is the main source of food. Besides rice people eat dishes made out of flour, especially southern Bhutanese, who have dishes with hot chilli pickles. The northern Bhutanese’s main dish is red rice with “phaksha paa” (a long slice of pork that is cooked with radish and red chillies), “emma datsi“ (chillies cooked with cheese and butter), and “ezay” (chilli pickles).

They eat such dishes especially during “rimdo” (rituals), but most of the time they eat rice with vegetable curry; such as potato, cabbage, ginger, saag, etc.

Bhutanese farmers cultivate only the grains and vegetables mentioned, and Bhutanese farming is just self sufficient, there is not much left to sell. For money they cultivate cash crops like apples, oranges, cardamom, etc., and from that money they buy other things they need.

Tika Ram from Samthang 33

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A Month without Meat A very interesting thing about the Bhutanese is that our diet changes along with the seasons and festive occasions.

We usually don’t eat meat during the first month of the Bhutanese calendar as it is called Saga Dow, an auspicious month.

So during Saga Dow our diet will consist of mostly vegetables like dried chillies, spinach, radish, pumpkin, etc. Soon after we celebrate our annual pujas where the dishes prepared are very delicious.

Sherab Tshomo from Gaupel

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I am a Foodie Girl I can’t help myself when I see the delicious food which my mom prepares. She is a good cook. In Daga we don’t get all kinds of vegetables and fruits, so we have to order them from Phuntsholing and Thimphu. I am a foodie girl and love food. I really enjoy eating spicy meals which my mother makes for me. My mouth begins to water when I look at her food. Here, we mostly get vegetables like beans, spinach, potatoes, cabbage, and lady fingers.

Deo Maya from Daga

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Recipe for Emma Datsi Emma datsi is a Bhutanese stew with cheese and chilli.

For 3-4 people you need: 250 g of chilli (cut into strips lengthwise, remove seeds. Wash hands thoroughly and be careful not to scratch your eyes when you have touched the chilli!)

1 chopped onion 2 tomatoes 250 g feta or gorgonzola 5 cloves garlic 3 fresh coriander leaves 2 tsp. oil Add the chopped chilli and chopped onion into a saucepan of water (about 4 cups of water).

Add 2 tsp. oil. Boil it all for 10 minutes.

Add tomatoes and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Add cheese and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Add the coriander and turn off the heat. Stir. Put the lid on for 2 min.

Emma datsi is served with plenty of rice and possibly other vegetables. The cheese they use in Bhutan is only available there, but you can easily use feta or gorgonzola.

Source: Phub Wangmo from Thimphu 36

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Recipe for Momos A momo is a steamed bun with baked meat or vegetables. The filling can be made of minced beef, chicken or pork, with onions, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, tomato, cabbage, potatoes, and cheese. Momos can also be made with vegetable filling or with cheese. For 2-3 persons you need: A steam cooker Dough 150 g of wheat flour mixed with water and a little salt Vegetable filling 100 g frozen chopped spinach.You can also use onions, cheese, cabbage or other vegetables.

Salt and pepper to taste 100 g parmesan cheese or grated fresh cheese A little grated nutmeg to taste

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Meaty filling 100 g minced meat (lamb, beef or pork) 2-3 finely chopped onions 20 g of oil Chopped fresh cilantro/coriander Minced ginger and garlic Soy sauce and oil to bind the ingredients together Salt and pepper to taste

Put in the filling Put a teaspoon of filling in the middle of the dough circles and fold the dough over the top.You will now have a half-moon, which can be folded together to look like a clamshell. Place the filled and sealed momos in a steam-cooker (brush it with oil if it is metallic).

Momos with vegetable filling cook for 15 minutes, while momos with meat must The dough cook for 20 minutes.

Mix the flour with the lukewarm water Keep an eye on the momos during and possibly some yeast and salt. Knead it cooking. together.

Serve the momos immediately, preferably Sprinkle the table with flour, so it’s easy to with a good chilli or tomato sauce. roll the dough.

Roll the dough with a pastry roller until it Source: is approximately 2 mm thick.

Phub Wangmo from Thimphu Cut the dough into circles with a glass or the like.

s e p i Rec

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Friends

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Time with Friends I love to spend my time with my friends.

In our life we meet countless people but everybody does not leave the same impression as friends do. Our life is short with moments of happiness, sadness and worries, but my friends have always brought sunshine and happiness whenever my life was over shadowed by sorrows.

My friends are one of my most noble and priceless possessions. I have eight best friends who have always been cooperative and supportive in my life.

They always stand by my side when I am in need. I really love my friends, and I always try to make some time for them.Yes, I agree that all friends are not the same, we have false as well as true friends, but I believe that I have made the right choice among thousands of people in this world.

I will always value my friendships and keep them till I die.

Samjana Rai from Gaupel

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t the u o b a y r nese sto a t u h tan.dk B u e h b n i e f i l Read th t www. a s d n e i r 39 four f 3/14/2012 11:41:16 PM

A Friend like You When I met a friend like you My heart knew a bundle of joy The warmth of your love gave riches That even money couldn’t buy The way you touched my life Brought heaven within reach The lessons in love I learnt Only the school of life can teach You honoured the child in me You respected me as an individual You shared my joy and felt my pain Unspoken thoughts, you knew as well You placed your trust in me Critical were you, but sang praise, too It was as if the sun broke through When I came upon a friend like you

Leki Wangdi from Kurther

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Friendship is a Flower Friendship is a flower Which blooms forever It helps us in every way It cannot be forgotten Good friends are a blessing To share our joys and sorrows Only a friend in need Is a friend indeed Friendship is a gift of God It cannot be based on gain or loss Problems of life can be solved, With the aid of friends Friendship is a treasure Which cannot be measured It cannot be expressed, But only experienced

Kesang Delkar from Taktse 41

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Belief

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Bhutanese are the followers of Buddhism Many Bhutanese people believe in Buddhism and respect the religion. We can see a shrine in every house, and walls covered by beautiful pictures of Gods and Goddesses.

Buddhism has flourished in Bhutan for many many years. In every district we can find old Dzongs (castles which include temples and administration offices). In the Dzongs people are taught Buddhism. Monks and nuns live in the Dzongs, and important prayers and ceremonies are held inside the temple in the Dzongs.

Our government gives importance to religion. Students are taught Buddhism, and in the schools we usually pray after classes.

Sonam Deki 43

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M S I H D D U B N O FACTS What is Buddhism?

A religion and philosophy based on thoughts and teachings of the Buddha.

Who is Buddha?

A man called Siddhartha Gautama became known as Buddha. He was born around the year 580 BC in Lumbini, a town now situated in Nepal.

In Bhutan people believe that several Buddhas have existed. In Bhutan Guru Rinpoche is believed to be the second Buddha after Buddha Gautama.

How old is Buddhism?

Buddhism is more than 2,500 years old.

Where does Buddhism come from?

It comes from northeastern India.

How many Buddhists are there?

Over 350 million people in the world are followers of Buddhism. It is the largest religion in many countries in Asia, including Nepal and Bhutan.

What is Buddhism about?

A Buddhist tries to understand life and death and how to overcome suffering. Buddhists seek to achieve Nirvana.

It is a peaceful state of mind without suffering. Buddhists want to cultivate happiness, generosity, kindness, and be helpful to others. Buddhists do not believe in one god.

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46

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Bhutanese Belief We believe Guru Rinpoche is the second Buddha. He paid several visits to our country. His first visit was made in the year 746 AC. It was during that visit he meditated in the rocky cave and left his body print and later a temple was built on the same site over the rocky cave where Kuje Lhakhang now stands.

We believe the cypress tree, which we see near the temple, has grown from the Guru’s walking stick. A little further away from the temple is a spring that is said to have been created by Guru Rinpoche and is therefore considered to be Dropchu (holy water).

During his second visit he went to Paro Taktsang in the form of Dorje Drolo, riding a tigress. He meditated there for three months and subdued the demons. Later a temple was built on the place where Guru Rinpoche meditated. It is also a very sacred place for us. It is located on a rocky cliff about 1000 meters above Paro valley and was built in the year 1692.

Sonam Rabten from Trashigang

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Tsechu – a Religious Dance In Bhutanese culture we must see a Tsechu in this life in order to stay calm and not be frightened when we die. If we see a Tsechu we will be familiar with what is going to happen when we die. We have Tsechus in all twenty districts of Bhutan. During the Tsechu we wear our best clothes and enjoy our special food.

We pack our lunch and go to see the religious dances. The dancers wear masks and show their dances to the public. There are lots of dances performed by the monks at a Tsechu. The most important dances are the black hat dances.

Dancers lead people to the Buddha’s path

The dancers of the black hat dance wear wide tall black hats and long colorful brocade dresses. These dancers do not wear masks. The dancers assume the appearance of Yogis and in this way they subdue the enemies. This is done in order to lead the beings or spirits to Buddha’s path.

This dance is also performed as a ground purification rite during the construction of dzongs, temples and stupas. The aim is to pacify the evil spirits of the ground and to take over the site.

The dances of the Tsechu are so special that just by seeing them one is purified. All obstacles to belief and understanding are removed.

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Heaven or hell

The other dances are that of the King, or the Lord, of Death. He decides whether one should go to heaven or to hell by looking in his golden magical mirror. He is weighing the good deeds and the sins we committed when we were alive. In this dance we can see two men. The first man who sinned is taken to hell by devils and the second man is taken to heaven by fairies of the God of heaven as his good deeds conquered his sins. So this dance teaches us to be kind to all beings.

The third mask dance is of pholay and molay, which means handsome men and beautiful ladies. In this dance two handsome princes fall in love with two beautiful women and they offer scarves to the women saying they should stay faithful to them.

But as the women do not stay faithful the two princes get angry and cut off their wives noses. So this dance is all about trust and faith in each other as wife and husband.

Tshering D Wangmo from Daga

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Smile As tears start from your eyes Don’t be sour, don’t you cry Try a little smile It’s like magic, like medicine It keeps you sane and sound Wear a smile, lose or win All the year round

Tashi Phuntsho from Damthang

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Poem about God Oh God Without you our world is like A day without the sun A night without the moon A garden without flowers A dog without teeth A man without education A book without words A bird without wings A class without students A pen without ink A cup without tea A car without wheels A curry without salt A plant without water An envelope without a letter

Pema Lhamo, from Bardho

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Beauty of Nature I like the nature and beauty of the forest With pure and wonderful creatures It is a gift of god To be saved For many, many years For generations and generations It’s a sad thing When people harm them It pains me the most But listen to the plea Of this little boy Life without a healthy nature A meaningless life Would you be able to live In a deserted world No water, no food, no air The giver of life

Sonam Chopel from Samtse

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Future

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A lot will change in 15 Years At the moment I am studying in seventh grade. Fifteen years from now will mean a lot of changes for me and my family. I will be serving my country after finishing my studies. My hometown, which is located in one of the remotest part of my country, will then be lit up by buildings, factories and roads. The huts, which presently fill my village, will definitely disappear and different types of buildings will replace them.

The environment and the way people live may change. However, the customs and the culture will remain almost the same because it has been going on unchanged for a long time, but many trees and plants will be destroyed by the people who construct roads, buildings, factories, etc., and as a result many animals will lose their lives as the forests decrease.

There are also risks that people will even lose their lives as they will not know how to use electricity and the complicated machines. After understanding the use of mechanical adversity around them, people might leave agriculture behind. Even if they depend on agriculture, they might not have to work as hard as they do now because there will be lots of machinery to plough the fields. They will not need oxen, instead they will use machines like power tillers, tractors, etc.

I think people won’t even be able to tell whether it is day or night, because during day the buildings and roads will be brightened by the sunlight and at night by the electricity. Therefore, some might even get puzzled.

For me, if I do well in my studies, I would like to become a civil servant. Otherwise I would choose to become an educated farmer.

Soram Wangchuk from Dorokha

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A Better and Healthy World When I grow up I want to become a doctor and save other’s lives. I will check people and give them medicine. I will learn about diseases in our bodies. I will look after my parents by feeding them well and giving them clothes. I will also help our neighbours and be friendly with them. I want to make our country a better place. I want to save people. I want to help our government. I want to be a very great man. In the world there are many sick people and I want to go to other countries to check people. If the people have got bad diseases, I will carry out operations, and if the diseases get worse I will call other doctors to help and perform operations. Like this, I will make the people of the world better as well as healthier – this is my dream.

Prakeet Raj Gurung from Samtse

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Life of Simplicity and Goodness I do not have very ambitious dreams in my life. I do not wish to become an owner of factories or a rich woman. The sole object of my life is to lead a life of simplicity and goodness devoted to the service of humanity. The life of a professional leader or politician will not suit me, as most of these people have become parasites on the society. Although I am not fit enough at this age to dream of my profession yet, I would like to dream of teaching as my profession.

I want to become a teacher because Bhutan is still an illiterate country. So, to take the masses from the darkness into the light, from ignorance to knowledge, from illiterate to literacy, is really a pious task. That is why I want to take up teaching as my profession. Teaching has many advantages over other professions.

First of all it is free from all the corrupt and sinful practises present in other professions. It is an ideal and noble profession in the sense that the teacher remains honest and studious. The teacher gives the gems from her mind to the students. The words of wit and wisdom are far more valuable than all the riches, and everyone can benefit the same.

Sonam Gyelmo from Tsebar

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I dream of becoming a Judge

a and to become a judge. Today my gkh on Dz in rse cou ree deg rs ste Ma My dream is to complete a suffer now, if I reach my goal. I to d min t no do I rt. cou t tric dis the y much dream is to become a judge of l with law and order of the court. I ver dea ges jud e aus bec ge, jud a ing om time. dream about bec or woman cannot do their work on n ma m the ut ho wit e aus bec ns tio like rules and regula

Kunzang Wangdi from Jibjokha

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Dreams and Hopes First I will complete my studies. Then I will get a job as an engineer.

I will help my village peop le to repair the old hous es.

I will help poor people an d give them food and clo thes.

I will repair my old scho ol. I will buy cars and truc ks.

Nowadays my village pe ople are poor. After 15 ye ars, I will help and make thes e people rich.

I love poor people very much.

I hope I can help these po or people in the future.

Rinchen Tashi from Merak 59

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Glossary

The Way of Life

swear sværge innocent uskyldig pure ren clad klædt mankind menneskeheden mar spolere cheat snyde pave bane

My country is Bhutan [p.1] border grænse thunder torden dragon drage carry bære symbolise symbolisere leadership lederskab religious religiøs

Facts [p.2]

location beliggenhed population befolkning capital hovedstad area areal language sprog democracy demokrati currency valuta

Long Live the Kingdom [p.3] calm rolig peaceful fredelig touch berøre civilisation civilisation though selvom nightmare mareridt beloved elskede

Everyday Life - in the Country [p.4] situated beliggende far fjern build bygge born født village landsby yak yakokse donkey æsel vegetables grøntsager in return til gengæld load læs cabbage kål radish ræddike weave væve surround omgive forest skov various forskellige access adgang reduce formindske primary school grundskole inspector inspektør World Food Programme FNs fødevareprogram naughty uartig archery bueskydning

Yak Festival In Merak [p.9] favourite yndling gather samle sig evening aften youngest yngste ugly grim rope rope cry græde wander vandre reach nå frem til ground jord onwards fremover turn dreje above oven over egg æg third tredje goat ged demi-gods ‘halv-gud’ lastly til slut female hunkøn tie binde since siden perform udføre celebrate fejre beloved elskede

Up in the Sky [p.7] bird fugl valley dal yak yakokse garden have close lukke

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Everyday Life - in the Town [p.10 ] member medlem head teacher skoleleder elder ældre lucky heldig facilities faciliteter different forskellig rural landlig social work socialt arbejde prayer bøn important vigtig announcement meddelelse besides foruden table tennis bortennis join blive medlem af share dele lonely ensom apologise undskylde discuss diskutere during i løbet af delicious lækker prepare tilberede proud stolt grocery købmand trust have tillid til calculate udregne create skabe future fremtid observe iagttage poor fattig homeless hjemløs chorton tempel monastery kloster

Wish [p.13]

crowd menneskevrimmel shout råbe voice stemme enjoy nyde toy legetøj mountain bjerg journey rejse

The Ungrateful Man [p.14] ungrateful utaknemmelig unique enestående hen høne keep beholde month måned wake up vågne golden af guld feed fodre slowly langsomt decide beslutte think tænke cruel grusom intention hensigt kill dræbe needle nål cow dung kokasse revenge hævn farm bondegård lesson lærestreg mattress madras coop hønsebur arrive ankomme noise larm rush skynde sig surprise overraskelse sting stikke pain smerte slip glide enter gå ind i greedy grådig suffer lide pierce gennembore pit hul message besked greediness grådighed unhappiness ulykke kind venlig

Everyday Life - in a Nunnery [p.16] nunnery nonnekloster nun nonne monastery kloster siblings søskende older ældre younger yngre cattle kvæg field mark gather samle bliss lykke comfortable behageligt tend passe Dzongkha bhutanesisk sprog practice udøve tolerant tolerant patient tålmodig receive modtage decorate udsmykke altar alter offer tilbyde/give

Angay Baodem / Angay Baogem [p.18] bedtime story godnathistorie fascinate fascinere both begge disease sygdom goiter struma lump knude pumpkin græskar identical identisk personality personlighed compassionate medfølende heart hjerte ready klar opposite modsat jealous jaloux selfish egoistisk mill mølle grind male (på en kværn) through gennem thick tyk

reach nå frem til pray bede goddess gudinde protect beskytte carnivorous kødædende demon dæmon expect forvente feast festmåltid astonishment forbavselse delicious lækker greedy grådig delighted henrykt surprise overraske remove fjerne take off begive sig afsted impatient utålmodig furious rasende previous tidligere throw up kaste op swollen opsvulmet ashamed flov behavior opførsel regret fortryde deserve fortjene sincere oprigtig proverb ordsprog evil ond obstacle hindring

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How I go to School and learn with my Teachers [p.21] early tidlig brush børste study studium return komme tilbage navy blue marineblå stocking knæstrømper assembly møde social work socialt arbejde drain afløb advise tilråde academic akademisk anthem nationalsang staff personale headache hovedpine unique enestående legendary legendarisk science naturvidenskab experiment eksperimentere laboratory laboratorie solution opløsning surroundings omgivelser boarder kostelev lunch frokost attend deltage i value værdi

School Surrounding [p.22]

primary school grundskole (ca. 5-11 år) PP børnehaveklasse ground bane dining hall spisesal peach fersken oak egetræ hostel bosted store butik tap water vand fra vandhanen spring water vand fra en kilde

We wear our National Dress and speak Dzongkha [p.23] require kræve allow tillade compound grund

Dustbin [p.25]

dustbin skraldespand throw smide remain forblive empty tom hungry sulten knowledge kundskab quote citere disagree være uenig obey adlyde

My family [p.27]

daughter datter consist bestå af monk munk clerk kontorassistent due to på grund af evil ond spirit ånd fate skæbne faith tillid til

ACHO (Big Brother) [p.28] correct rette guide vejlede patience tålmodighed tolerance tolerance perseverance udholdenhed punctuality punktlighed laugh grine invade invadere integrity hæderlighed govern styre instil fremkalde owe skylde

Only One [p.29]

pretty køn butterfly sommerfugl swarm koloni sweets slik

My Old Granny [p.31] nanny barnepige presence nærvær regret fortryde soothing beroligende gentle mild absence fravær

Food [p.32]

fried stegt main source hovedkilden flour mel chilli pickles chili i lage slice skive pork svinekød radish ræddike vegetables grøntsager cabbage kål ginger ingefær saag indiske krydret spinat cultivate dyrke grain korn crop afgrøde

A Month without Meat [p.34] diet kost seasons årstid occasions anledning auspicious lykkebringende spinach spinat pumpkin græskar celebrate fejre annual årlig delicious lækker

Recipe for Emma Datsi [p.36] stew gryderet thoroughly grundigt scratch klø chop hakke clove fed simmer simre stir røre i noget lid låg

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Recipe for Momos [p.37] bun bolle filling fyld minced meat hakket kød dough dej grate rive nutmeg muskatnød lukewarm lunken yeast gær knead ælte pastry roller kagerulle approximately cirka clamshell muslingeskal

Time with Friends [p.39]

spend tilbringe countless utallige impression indtryk worries bekymring shadow skygge sorrow sorg noble ædel priceless uvurderlig possessions egendele cooperative samarbejdsvillig supportive støttende

A Friend like You [p.40] bundle bundt joy glæde heaven himlen within indenfor reach rækkevidde honour ære share dele trust tillid praise ros

Friendship is a Flower [p.41] bloom blomstre blessing velsignelse gain fremgang aid hjælp treasure skat measure måle

Bhutanese are the followers of Buddhism [p.43] respect respektere shrine alter/skrin/helligdom flourish trives prayer bøn government regering importance vigtighed

Facts on Buddhism [p.44] philosophy filosofi several adskillige follower tilhænger suffering lidelse seek søger efter achieve opnå generosity gavmildhed

Bhutanese Belief [p.47] pay a visit aflægge besøg meditate meditere cave grotte site plads stick stav spring kilde tigress huntiger subdue tæmme sacred hellig valley dal

Tsechu – a Religious Dance [p.48] calm rolig die dø familiar bekendt district område wear have på mask maske public offentligheden/publikum perform opføre brocade brokade assume antage yogi en hellig mand subdue tæmme enemy fjende purification renselse rite ceremoni pacify berolige obstacle hindring weigh veje deed gerning fairy fe conquer besejre handsome smuk scarf tørklæde faithful trofast

Smile [p.50]

sane fornuftig sound sund/rask

Poem about God [p.51] education uddannelse envelope konvolut

Beauty of Nature [p.52] pure ren creature skabning generation generation harm skade plea indtrængende bøn deserted øde

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A lot will change in 15 Years [p.55] change forandring serve tjene remote fjerntliggende presently for tiden definitely bestemt disappear forsvinde replace erstatte environment miljø custom skik destroy ødelægge decrease mindskes adversity modgang agriculture landbrug plough pløje power tiller tohjulet traktor brighten gøre lysere puzzled rådvild civil servant embedsmand

A better and healthy world [p.56] disease sygdom neighbour nabo government regering operation operation

Life of Simplicity and Goodness [p.57] simplicity enkelthed ambitious ambitiøs sole eneste devoted hengiven humanity menneskeheden parasite snylter society samfund profession erhverv illiterate analfabetisk ignorance uvidenhed knowledge viden literacy læse-og skrivefærdigheder pious from advantage fordel corrupt korrupt sinful syndig noble ædel honest ærlig studious flittig gems guldkort/juveler wit kløgt valuable værdifuld benefit gavne

I dream of becoming a Judge [p.58] complete fuldføre master degree kandidatgrad judge dommer court domstol rule regel regulation reglement

Dreams and Hopes [p.59] engineer ingeniør repair reparere future fremtid

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Alphabetical Glossary

above oven over absence fravær academic akademisk access adgang achieve opnå advantage fordel adversity modgang advise tilråde agriculture landbrug aid hjælp allow tillade altar alter ambitious ambitiøs announcement meddelelse annual årlig anthem nationalsang apologise undskylde approximately cirka archery bueskydning area areal arrive ankomme ashamed flov assembly møde assume antage astonishment forbavselse attend deltage i auspicious lykkebringende bedtime story godnathistorie behavior opførsel beloved elskede benefit gavne besides foruden bird fugl blessing velsignelse bliss lykke bloom blomstre boarder kostelev border grænse born født both begge

brighten gøre lysere brocade brokade brush børste build bygge bun bolle bundle bundt butterfly sommerfugl cabbage kål calculate udregne calm rolig capital hovedstad carnivorous kødædende carry bære cattle kvæg cave grotte celebrate fejre change forandring cheat snyde chilli pickles chili i lage chop hakke chorton tempel civil servant embedsmand civilisation civilisation clad klædt clamshell muslingeskal clerk kontorassistent close lukke clove fed comfortable behageligt compassionate medfølende complete fuldføre compound grund conquer besejre consist bestå af coop hønsebur cooperative samarbejdsvillig correct rette corrupt korrupt countless utallige court domstol cow dung kokasse

create skabe creature skabning crop afgrøde crowd menneskevrimmel cruel grusom cry græde cultivate dyrke currency valuta custom skik daughter datter decide beslutte decorate udsmykke decrease mindskes deed gerning definitely bestemt delicious lækker delighted henrykt demi-gods halv-guder democracy demokrati demon dæmon deserted øde deserve fortjene destroy ødelægge devoted hengiven die dø diet kost different forskellig dining hall spisesal disagree være uenig disappear forsvinde discuss diskutere disease sygdom district område donkey æsel dough dej dragon drage drain afløb due to på grund af during i løbet af dustbin skraldespand Dzongkha bhutanesisk sprog

early tidlig education uddannelse egg æg elder ældre empty tom enemy fjende engineer ingeniør enjoy nyde enter gå ind i envelope konvolut environment miljø evening aften evil ond expect forvente experiment eksperimentere facilities faciliteter fairy fe faith tillid til faithful trofast familiar bekendt far fjern farm bondegård fascinate fascinere fate skæbne favorite yndling feast festmåltid feed fodre female hunkøn field mark filling fyld flour mel flourish trives follower tilhænger forest skov fried stegt furious rasende future fremtid gain fremgang garden have gather samle

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gems guldkort/juveler generation generation generosity gavmildhed gentle mild ginger ingefær goat ged goddess gudinde goiter struma golden af guld govern styre government regering grain korn grate rive greediness grådighed greedy grådig grind male (på en kværn) grocery købmand ground bane ground jord guide vejlede handsome smuk harm skade head teacher skoleleder headache hovedpine heart hjerte heaven himlen hen høne homeless hjemløs honest ærlig honour ære hostel bosted humanity menneskeheden hungry sulten

in return til gengæld innocent uskyldig inspector inspektør instil fremkalde integrity hæderlighed intention hensigt invade invadere jealous jaloux join blive medlem af journey rejse joy glæde judge dommer keep beholde kill dræbe kind venlig knead ælte knowledge kundskab knowledge viden laboratory laboratorie language sprog lastly til slut laugh grine leadership lederskab legendary legendarisk lesson lærestreg lid låg literacy læse-og skrivefærdigheder load læs location beliggenhed lonely ensom lucky heldig lukewarm lunken lump knude lunch frokost

identical identisk ignorance uvidenhed illiterate analfabetisk impatient utålmodig importance vigtighed important vigtig impression indtryk

main source hovedkilde mankind menneskeheden mar spolere mask maske master degree kandidatgrad mattress madras measure måle

meditate meditere member medlem message besked mill mølle minced meat hakket kød monastery kloster monk munk month måned mountain bjerg nanny barnepige naughty uartig navy blue marineblå needle nål neighbour nabo nightmare mareridt noble ædel noise larm nun nonne nunnery nonnekloster nutmeg muskatnød oak egetræ obey adlyde observe iagttage obstacle hindring occasions anledning offer tilbyde/give older ældre onwards fremover operation operation opposite modsat owe skylde pacify berolige pain smerte parasite snylter pastry roller kagerulle patience tålmodighed patient tålmodig pave bane pay a visit aflægge besøg

peaceful fredelig peach fersken perform udføre perseverance udholdenhed personality personlighed philosophy filosofi pierce gennembore pious from pit hul plea indtrængende bøn plough pløje poor fattig population befolkning pork svinekød possession egendele power tiller to-hjulet traktor PP børnehaveklasse practice udøve praise ros pray bede prayer bøn prepare tilberede presence nærvær presently for tiden pretty køn previous tidligere priceless uvurderlig primary school grundskole (ca. 5-11 år) profession erhverv protect beskytte proud stolt proverb ordsprog public offentligheden/publikum pumpkin græskar punctuality punktlighed pure ren purification renselse puzzled rådvild quote citere radish radise

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reach nå frem til reach rækkevidde ready klar receive modtage reduce formindske regret fortryde regulation reglement religious religiøs remain forblive remote fjerntliggende remove fjerne repair reparere replace erstatte require kræve respect respektere return komme tilbage revenge hævn rite ceremoni rope rope rule regl rural landlig rush skynde sig saag indisk krydret spinat sacred hellig sane fornuftig scarf tørklæde science naturvidenskab scratch klø seasons årstid seek søger efter selfish egoistisk serve tjene several adskillige shadow skygge share dele shout råbe shrine helligdom siblings søskende simmer simre simplicity enkelthed since siden

sincere oprigtig sinful syndig site plads situated beliggende slice skive slip glide slowly langsomt social work socialt arbejde society samfund sole eneste solution opløsning soothing beroligende sorrow sorg sound sund/rask spend tilbringe spinach spinat spirit ånd spring kilde spring water vand fra en kilde staff personale stew gryderet stick stav sting stikke stir røre i noget stocking knæstrømper store butik studious flittig study studium subdue tæmme suffer lide suffering lidelse supportive støttende surprise forbavselse surround omgive surroundings omgivelser swarm sværm swear sværge sweets slik swollen opsvulmet symbolise symbolisere

table tennis bortennis take off begive sig afsted tap water vand fra vandhanen tend passe thick tyk think tænke third tredje thoroughly grundigt though selvom through gennem throw up kaste op throw smide thunder torden tie binde tigress huntiger tolerance tolerance tolerant tolerant touch berøre toy legetøj treasure skat trust have tillid til trust tillid turn dreje

wit kløgt within indenfor World Food Programme FNs fødevareprogram worry bekymring yak yakokse yeast gær yogi hellig mand younger yngre youngest yngste

ugly grim ungrateful utaknemmelig unhappiness ulykke unique enestående valley dal valuable værdifuld value værdi various forskellige vegetables grøntsager village landsby voice stemme wake up vågne wander vandre wear have på weave væve weigh veje

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My Life Life is a journey Without a destination No one knows from where it comes Life is mystery It’s like a stranger in a dark night No one can foretell the shortcoming of life Life is a song of love Which everybody loves to sing Life is a day of happiness, a day of gay With a song of a bird and the hum of a bee Life happens only once Plan a lot of happy days for your life

Sonam Gyelmo

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Marie Venø Thesbjerg

My Life

It’s like a stranger in a dark night No one can foretell the shortcoming of life Life is a song of love Which everybody loves to sing Life is a day of happiness, a day of gay With a song of a bird and the hum of a bee Life happens only once Plan a lot of happy days for your life

Go ahead. Take a look and enjoy the

ir stories!

120310 ForRygBag.indd 1

Marie Venø Thesbjerg

Sonam Gyelmo 14 years old

In this book you will meet a lot of chi ldren from the country of Bhutan located in the Himalayas. They will tell about their everyday life, their family, friends, schools, their unique culture, nature and about their dream s for the future.

Stories from Children in Bhutan

Life is a journey Without a destination No one knows from where it comes Life is mystery

Stories from Children in Bhutan

3/15/2012 10:24:56 PM