An illiterate Hakka travelled to London

[CHUNG Yoon-Ngan <chungyn@mozart.joinet.net.au>]

An illiterate Hakka travelled to London

The father of Chong Ming Kam, a Hakka, emmigrated from Dongguan county in
Guangdong province to what was then Malaya during the early 20th century. 
Ming Kam was born in Pusing, a little Hakka town during the 1930s. Since
he is over 60 years old now and everybody in Pusing, calls him Kam Pak
(Uncle Kam), showing respect to his age. 

He sent a son to England to study, and after finishing his studies his son
did not come back to Pusing, but stayed in England and is doing very well.
Kam Pak's son sent him an invitation to visit England. Kam Pak accepted
the invitation and flew to England. 

In order to make it easier for him to travel his son sent him a note which
stated that the bearer could not speak, read or write in English. His son
also told him to show the note to people if he had encountered any
difficulties. 

Kam Pak arrived safely in London and had checked through the immigration
counter. He walked away from the immigration counter without knowing it he
had left behind his passport on the counter. After sometime the British
immigration officer realised that his passport was still on the counter
table the officer shouted at him loudly "Come back, come back".  This
officer must have a strong cockney accent and he pronunced the words 
"Come back" sounded like Kam Pak. Kam Pak was amazed to find that even in 
London people knew his name. He thanked the officer in Hakka. Later Kam 
Pak told his son about the immigration officer calling his name. His son 
did not say anything but just smiled.

CHUNG Yoon-Ngan.