The Maker of Parangs

Written by our mother in 2003 ,"The Maker of Parangs" was never published in book form.

We children would ask her to tell us stories. Most of the time, she would read from children's story books. But one day we all decided that she should tell an original story, using a voice and a language suitable for teenagers at Form Three level. After some persuasion and a little bit of collaboration from us, she came up with the story. At first she told us the story but later she edited it. She sent it to a local newsletter for publication. So perhaps only two sets of readers have read this story. Definitely we do not claim that she is align to Hemingway or may be a hint of Maugham. But she is a mother who can tell stories to her children whenever we need a little bit more love ,comfort , and attention.

Now we are sharing it with you. With much love from us.



Justin loved his grandfather. He was sort different from others, being true blooded Iban with tattoos on his throat and upper arms. Justin and his sister Rina loved visiting Grandpa every Friday. Grandpa would give them sweet tea made from some kind of leaves he collected from the forest whenever he went hunting.
Grandpa was wonderful with metal. He had made knives, small bells, parangs, both short and long, for chopping wood, for cleaning fish and chicken, and little decorative pieces which he fashioned after magazines pictures.
Justin loved the little woodshed that Grandpa called “workshop”. It was airy and Grandpa would tell him how to get the fire going to heat up the metal slowly. The blower that Grandpa used was more that fifty years old!
Grandpa had endless patience, answering all the questions from the two kids. “ What’s this?” Justin would ask. Or “Grandpa, tell me how you make a knife sharp.”
Sometimes the two would just watch Grandpa the whole afternoon. Grandpa would get the fire going, hum a little and chuckle once in a while. He loved his work.
Then he would put the prototype of the parang into the fire. Grandpa usually obtained his bits and pieces of metal from a neighbour’s workshop. His favourite pieces would be the suspension of a car. Soon, when the metal was red and hot. Grandpa would then take a long time in fact. The children would then ask, “ Why can’t you make a parang faster, Grandpa?”
Grandpa would answer, “ It takes quite sometime to fashion a parang. You see steel has to be hammered, pounded and shaped. The beauty of the parang is in your hands and you have to be very patient in producing a really good parang. It has to be the right weight. It must be sharp and well formed. No two parangs are exactly the same in fact. Each is unique.”
“You must always remember to hammer the shape of the parang properly when the metal is still hot. That is the most important part of making a parang. Our life is the same, kids. When we have to do things, we have to make sure that we are prompt in finishing the job. Timing is important. It is not good to wait for tomorrow to come. Tomorrow may never come.”
Once in a while, Grandpa would ask the two children to clean up the workshop and told them to be careful where everything was to be kept.
“The kids are learning fast, aren’t they?” Aunt Maria asked when she brought in freshly ,made fried biscuits which the children loved so much.
“Definitely. One of these days, they will be on their own and they have to be sharp in this world today. I hope I have left to them the importance of time and a good systems of workshop management.”
“Don’t forget, you are leaving them a great heritage of beauty, art and craftsmanship,” chuckled Aunt Maria.
“Yes, indeed. I am glad that they are going to multi-skilled,” Grandpa replied.
The next day, in class, Justin’s teacher made an announcement.
“Class, there is a special competition for local crafts for the School’s Open Day. A special prize would be given to the best exhibit.” Everyone had something special to make. When it was Justin’s turn he said, “A Parang” Everyone laughed. Justin is used to be laughed at because he had a "special" grandfather. Most of his classmates came from rich familaies but a few came from the squatter areas and the fringes of the city.
It was Friday again and Justin rushed up to his Grandpa and told him about his plans of making a good parang. The two discussed for a long time what had to be done.
Justin then planned to spend a week making his parang in his Grandpa’s Workshop. But his plans was upset as Grandpa was rushed to the hospital and placed in Intensive Care. Justin was not to be beaten by the hands of fate. And he worked even harder, he did everything that his Grandpa has told him and he was delighted when it was finally finished. He made a beautiful scabbard for it. He submitted the parang and prayed very hard. He wanted to get at least a small prize for it.
When Grandpa got out of the Intensive Care, Justin came visiting, “Grandpa I was the first non native boy to win the Best Prize for Craft Work in my school. It is 500 ringgit! And it is for you! Thanks Grandpa.”